Most Repairable Phones of 2026

iFixit is the world’s largest online repair community and parts retailer. For years, their engineers have performed detailed teardowns of new smartphones and assigned repairability scores from 1 to 10 1 being nearly impossible to repair, 10 being straightforward.

The score reflects:

Ease of disassembly: Can the phone be opened with standard tools, or does it require proprietary drivers and destructive processes?

Use of adhesive vs. screws: Heavy adhesive makes disassembly destructive. Screws especially standard Phillips or Torx allow clean, non-destructive opening and reassembly.

Battery accessibility: Is the battery easy to reach and replace, or buried under multiple layers of components?

Parts and documentation availability: Does the manufacturer publish repair guides and make genuine replacement parts available to consumers and independent shops?

Software barriers: Does the phone use parts pairing or other software controls to restrict repairs?

Repairability isn’t just about design — it’s about the whole ecosystem. A phone that can physically be opened but has no available parts or documentation is not meaningfully repairable.

The 2026 Repairability Rankings

Fairphone 6 — 10/10

The Fairphone 6 is the gold standard for repairability in 2026. iFixit rates it 10 out of 10 the only phone currently receiving a perfect score. Its design philosophy is built around longevity: modules that users can replace themselves, standard screws throughout, no adhesive barriers, and parts available directly from Fairphone for years after purchase.

Fairphone publishes its own sustainability data, commits to software support for years beyond typical manufacturer windows, and sells replacement batteries, screens, and cameras directly to consumers.

The trade-off: Fairphone is a European-market device with limited U.S. availability, a mid-range processor, and an aesthetic that prioritizes function over flagship design. For buyers whose primary concern is longevity and repairability, it’s the clear choice. For mainstream U.S. buyers, it remains a niche option.

Google Pixel 9 series — 7/10

Google has made significant strides in repairability in recent years. The Pixel 9 series earns a 7 out of 10 from iFixit — strong for a flagship smartphone.

Key strengths: Google makes repair parts and instructions readily available through a partnership with iFixit. The back glass adhesive is designed to release without heat on some components. The USB-C port is modular a meaningful design choice that makes one of the most common repairs straightforward.

Google also offers the longest software support window in the Android ecosystem: 7 years of OS and security updates for Pixel 8 and later. Combined with reasonable repairability, Pixel devices represent the best long-term value proposition among mainstream Android flagships in 2026.

iPhone 15 and 16 series — 7/10

Apple’s repairability trajectory has shifted meaningfully. The iPhone 15 series received an updated score of 7 out of 10 from iFixit — up from the 4 out of 10 that earlier models received. The iPhone 16 series is shaping up to be among the most repairable iPhones ever.

The improvements are real. iPhone 15 and 16 models can be opened from either the screen or the back glass — a design choice that gives repair technicians flexibility. Apple’s Repair Assistant introduced with iOS 18 allows used genuine Apple parts to be calibrated and reused in repairs without requiring an Apple representative. This was a meaningful shift from prior policy.

Apple also makes repair parts available through its Independent Repair Provider program and publishes repair documentation for technicians.

The remaining limitations: parts pairing still applies to many components. Four different screwhead types complicate repairs unnecessarily. And repairs using aftermarket parts still encounter the same software-based limitations as before Repair Assistant existed.

Still — the direction is positive, and the iPhone 15 and 16 series represent Apple’s most repairable devices to date.

Samsung Galaxy S24 series — 5–6/10

Samsung’s repairability scores have improved modestly over recent generations. The Galaxy S24 series earns around 5 to 6 out of 10 depending on the specific model. The S24 Ultra’s larger, curved display and more complex construction scores lower than the standard S24.

Positive notes: Samsung offers at least some repair parts and documentation. The battery is designed to be removed more easily than in prior S-series models. Normal screws are used in some internal assemblies a point iFixit specifically calls out as positive even on models with otherwise low scores.

Limitations: all repairs on Samsung Galaxy phones require carefully de-gluing and re-gluing the outer display and/or back cover — a process that’s manageable for experienced technicians but genuinely adds complexity and risk. Samsung’s parts pairing implementation is less aggressive than Apple’s but expanding.

Motorola — B+ grade (est. 7–8/10 on repairability indexes)

Motorola has flown somewhat under the radar in the repairability conversation, but their revised models score well. Community-curated data positions Motorola in the B+ range better than Samsung and on par with or slightly above Google for some models.

Key advantages: reasonable adhesive use, accessible internal layouts, and parts availability that has improved as Motorola has expanded its repair program.

Phones to Approach With Caution

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold / Z Flip series: Foldable smartphones present fundamental repairability challenges due to their hinge mechanisms and folding display assemblies. iFixit has consistently scored foldables near the bottom of repairability rankings. Screen and battery repairs on foldables are among the most complex mobile repairs available. This doesn’t mean they can’t be repaired — but it means costs are higher and the pool of qualified technicians is smaller.

Budget Android devices without manufacturer parts support: Many budget Android phones earn low repairability scores not because of design complexity but because no parts or documentation exist. A $200 phone with no available replacement parts and no repair documentation becomes disposable the moment something breaks.

How to Use Repairability When Buying a Phone

You don’t need to become an expert in teardown analysis. Here’s a practical framework:

Check the iFixit score before buying. Search “[phone model] iFixit repairability” before purchasing. A score of 7 or above indicates strong repairability. Below 5 is a warning sign for long-term ownership costs.

Check software support length. A highly repairable phone with only 2 years of software updates won’t serve you for 6 years. Look for 5+ years of OS support.

Consider the total cost of ownership. A phone with a higher upfront price but a 7/10 repairability score and 7-year software support may cost less per year of use than a cheap phone that needs replacing in 2 years.

Ask what repairs will realistically cost. At Stop to Fix, we can tell you immediately what common repairs cost for any device you’re considering. A $150 screen repair on a $800 phone is a reasonable ownership cost. A $350 screen repair on a $400 phone is not.

Black and Hispanic Consumers Lead on Repairability Awareness

According to a nationally representative survey of U.S. consumers: 53% of Black consumers say repairability is very important when buying a mobile device. 40% of Hispanic buyers consider repairability a key factor in smartphone purchase decisions. Across all groups, over one-third of Americans value device repairability.

In San Antonio a majority Hispanic city this data resonates. The economic case for repairability is clear: the less a device costs to maintain, the more value it delivers over time.

Stop to Fix — We Repair Them All

Regardless of where your current or future phone falls on the repairability spectrum, we work on it. High scores make our job easier and your repair cheaper. Low scores mean the repair takes more expertise and care but it’s still almost always better than replacement.

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📍 Pleasanton: 1320 W Oaklawn Suite D, Pleasanton, TX 78064
📞 Bandera: (210) 325-9913 | Pleasanton: (210) 371-8328
🌐 stoptofix.com/get-instant-estimate