With that, we go to work. Our iOpener was nearly rendered irrelevant by the heat wave here on the west coast—we probably could've just left both phones outside for a spell to soften the adhesive.

You can debate in the comments whether a $1,000 phone should be clothed in plastic, but repairability-wise, it's probably a net win.

Next, some careful iSclack and opening pick action—and both back covers lift free cleanly, without booby-traps. This teardown is officially underway.