In hark back to Jobs era, Apple revisits materials, repairability of iPhones, says head of design

Core Insights - Apple Inc. is increasing its global R&D spending to focus on developing proprietary materials for the iPhone, emphasizing customer experience and design [1][4][10] R&D and Material Focus - The company’s R&D spending grew over 10% year-on-year to $34.6 billion, representing over 8% of its total revenue, which was $416 billion [4] - Engineering proprietary materials for iPhones is prioritized over reducing supply chain costs, with a strong emphasis on sustainability in energy and raw material sourcing [2][10] - Apple is investing in creating controlled manufacturing conditions to integrate new heat control technology for future iPhones, enhancing capabilities for AI applications [8][9] Customer Experience and Repairability - The design process for iPhones starts with customer experience goals, guiding R&D into technology, materials, and manufacturing [6] - Innovations have been made to improve repairability, such as easier battery removal and a focus on durable materials to extend product life cycles [12][13] Market Performance and Growth - iPhone sales generated approximately $209.6 billion, accounting for about half of Apple's total revenue, with a strong growth trajectory in India [4][10][14] - Apple is experiencing a seventh consecutive year of double-digit growth in iPhone sales in India, with an estimated 15 million units to be sold this year [10] Sustainability Initiatives - The company is committed to increasing the use of recycled materials and ensuring that its supply chain operates on renewable energy [17] - Sustainability goals are set for all global manufacturing and supply chain vendors, with varying percentages of recycled materials based on product and operational scale [17]