We're hearing that the iPhone 15 Pro may receive some design upgrades when it arrives later this year, but there is one change that may have hidden practical value: according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max's internals have been redesigned to make them easier to repair.

Specifically, Gurman claims that they have been changed to the same ones found in the iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus. This is a change not exactly advertised by Apple, but discovered by the repair experts at iFixit. iPhone 14 has a removable glass back, which, combined with the metal mid-frame, allows the phone to be opened from the front or back.

It makes sense that this change would carry over to the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus. However, if Gurman is right, adding this hidden upgrade to the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max could significantly reduce the hassle of pesky repairs.

It would also be slightly cheaper to repair the replacement back glass, assuming it is not already covered by the existing warranty on the AppleCare Plus plan.

If you want a back glass replacement on an iPhone 14 or iPhone 14 Plus, Apple will ask you to pay $169 and $199, respectively. iPhone 13 back glass repairs cost $349, a considerable difference between generations, and that removable back glass is It is believed that.

Currently, the same repair for the iPhone 14 Pro costs $499, and iPhone 14 Pro Max owners must pay $549. That said, repairs on the iPhone 15 Pro may get a significant price cut thanks to the new design. However, it will probably still be prohibitively expensive to have Apple repair it, and the $199 for a two-year AppleCare Plus plan will seem like a bargain.

Gurman's report did not go into further detail on the possibility of a removable back panel, or increased repairability. It did, however, mention a number of other design upgrades that may be included when the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max are released.

According to Gurman, this will help shave the size of both phones' bezels. The current iPhone offers a 2.2 mm bezel, while LIPO could give the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max a 1.5 mm bezel. This would allow for a slightly larger display without increasing the size of the phone, or a slightly slimmer display while maintaining the same size screen.

Gurman's report also reiterated rumors that dynamic island cutouts will replace the display notch on the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus. iPhone 15 Pro models will have a titanium instead of stainless steel frame The same is true for the ongoing rumor that the iPhone 15 Pro model will switch from a stainless steel frame to a titanium frame.

The iPhone 15 series is not expected to launch until at least September or later, which means there are still a few weeks until these rumors are officially confirmed or not. But expect the rumor mill to ramp up as we get closer to the announcement window. Until then, stay tuned to our iPhone 15, iPhone 15 Pro, and iPhone 15 Pro Max hubs for the latest news and rumors.