My First DIY Phone Fix Converted Me to Self-Repairing

The initial attempt at a DIY smartphone repair on an HMD Skyline did not start smoothly. The back of the phone was successfully removed; however, a T3 screwdriver bit was required for the next step. A T4 bit, though able to turn the screw to partially lift the phone’s back panel, was too large to handle the tiny screws on the battery connector cover.

The HMD Skyline is among HMD’s latest user-repairable phones. It is a midrange device equipped with features like Qi2 wireless charging, a 6.55-inch OLED display, a trio of rear cameras, and a substantial 4,600mAh battery, priced at $449. Instances of lag with its Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 processor and a 1080p screen resolution suggest some performance drawbacks for its large display.

Significantly, the Skyline is a part of a continuing collaboration with iFixit, allowing consumers to purchase spare parts and obtain detailed repair instructions from iFixit’s website. HMD provides a basic iFixit toolkit with its review units, but it does not include the necessary T3 bit.

Smartphone repair kits are available at local hardware stores, a discovery made while waiting for a shipment from iFixit that contained necessary repair tools for the Skyline, including a T3 bit and replacement parts such as a battery and back cover.

While frequent phone usage is common, dismantling them is generally avoided due to potential damage to expensive loaned devices. Despite manufacturer preferences against self-repair, the completion of repairs, guided by iFixit’s expert instructions and proper tools, demonstrates the feasibility of such tasks for regular device users.

The process of detaching the battery from the HMD Skyline caused some concern, especially when the adhesive tab broke. However, using iFixit’s guidance to apply steady pressure, the battery was eventually released by pulling the remaining tabs. The battery removal involved following precise steps, using tools like a spudger and tweezers for adhesive patches, and cleaning residue with isopropyl alcohol and a microfiber towel, a task both tedious and satisfying.

A similar challenge was encountered during a household project, sealing a crack to prevent rainwater leakage, accomplished with rubbing alcohol and a towel, reinforcing confidence in handling repair tasks.

Returning to the Skyline, the new battery and back cover were installed, requiring some effort for proper closure. The device powered on correctly, with iFixit advising full charging followed by an additional two-hour plug-in for calibration.

This repair task took approximately two hours, including sourcing isopropyl alcohol, underscoring the relatively simpler repair process compared to other models, as indicated by iFixit’s guides. The Skyline’s ease of repair contrasts with the Google Pixel 8, which has more extensive repair steps due to its IP68 dust and water resistance.

The Skyline holds an IP54 rating, factoring in its repairability, although it does not exhibit the same build quality as more sealed devices like Pixel or Samsung phones. Nevertheless, the experience of repairing the Skyline reinforces advocacy for repairable phones, encouraged by California’s right to repair law, and suggests room for improvement in the cooperation of manufacturers. Post-repair, there is an increased confidence in DIY repair abilities.

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