There is zero doubt in my mind that this is completely deliberate, and doing some deep reverse-engineering would likely yield how it is done (if anyone does decide to investigate it, that is an article I would love to read about.) It's like the copy protection schemes in games that appear to be defeated easily, but have more hidden traps later on.
The wankers at Apple who implement this sort of thing should be ashamed of themselves. I hope the Chinese cracks this, as they are apt to do for the third-party repair industry, just to show that it can still be done.
It is, and there is proof. A two cameras have been swapped and didn't work, they worked again when swapped back so there was no damage while disasembling it.
Louis Rossmann has pointed this out in one of his recent YouTube videos, just like he points out so many other scams Apple is getting away with.
I don't have an issue with requiring software tools to repair software problems in modern electronics. The issue at hand is whether that tool is available for consumers and repair shops, which I doubt.
Maybe it's interesting to post this in order to further raise people's awareness about the lack of "right to repair" of Apple hardware, but I'm pretty sure if they found a way to patent a screw, and then prosecute those making screwdrivers for it, they 100% would
Edit: to clarify the intention of my statement I am agreeing with you and going one step further by saying the coffin is already nailed shut and needs no more nails.
It is the case the verified repair shops are able to make these repairs and have the correct tools isn’t it?
At this point Apple should just start iPhone with AppleCare Subscription.
