Apple has recently announced a new repair option for the lower-end iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus models, which allows the bottom-right microphone to be replaced individually, without requiring a full mid-frame replacement. This is expected to make the repairs cheaper and more environmentally friendly for customers who experience issues with this microphone.
What is the bottom-right microphone and why is it important?
The bottom-right microphone is one of the four microphones on the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus, located next to the Lightning port. It is mainly used for recording audio in video mode, as well as for noise cancellation and voice recognition. It is also the microphone that Siri listens to when the device is in landscape orientation.
The bottom-right microphone is crucial for capturing clear and crisp sound in videos, especially in noisy environments. It also helps to reduce background noise and improve voice quality in phone calls and voice messages. Additionally, it enables Siri to understand the user’s commands more accurately and respond faster.
How does the new repair option work?
According to MacRumors, Apple Stores and Apple Authorized Service Providers can now individually repair the bottom-right microphone on the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus, using a special tool that removes and replaces the microphone module. This procedure takes about 15 minutes and costs $29 for customers who have AppleCare+ or $49 for those who don’t.
Previously, repairing this microphone required replacing the entire mid-frame chassis, which houses the battery, wireless charging coil, Taptic Engine, and other components. This process was more expensive, time-consuming, and wasteful, as it involved discarding a lot of functional parts along with the faulty microphone.
The new repair option is only available for the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus models, which have a plastic back cover that allows access to the microphone module. The higher-end iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max models, as well as other iPhone models, still require a mid-frame replacement for repairing this microphone.
What are the benefits of the new repair option?
The new repair option for the bottom-right microphone on the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus models has several benefits for both customers and Apple. Some of these benefits are:
- It saves money for customers who need to fix this microphone, as they only have to pay for the microphone module instead of the whole mid-frame chassis.
- It saves time for customers who need to fix this microphone, as they only have to wait for 15 minutes instead of several hours or days for the repair to be completed.
- It reduces waste and environmental impact for Apple, as it avoids throwing away a lot of functional parts along with the faulty microphone. This aligns with Apple’s focus on environmental responsibility and sustainability.
- It improves customer satisfaction and loyalty for Apple, as it shows that Apple cares about providing quality service and support for its products.
The new repair option for the bottom-right microphone on the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus models is a welcome improvement that demonstrates Apple’s commitment to innovation and customer service. It also enhances the performance and functionality of these devices, which are already popular among consumers for their affordable price and impressive features.
