iFixit, everyone’s favorite gadget repair troublemaker, is launching a portable soldering iron. The gadget aims to make it easier for home users to repair components.
The timing of this announcement couldn’t be better, as it was announced the same week as Apple’s “It’s Glowtime” event. While Apple has become more open to user repairs in recent years, iFixit has long been a thorn in Apple’s side, regularly giving the company poor reviews for the repairability of its iPhones and other devices.
The newly announced FixHub is a 100-watt “smart” soldering iron that takes about five seconds to warm up. It runs on a battery, which iFixit says gives it 8 hours of life on a single charge. Other devices can be charged via the device’s two USB-C ports.
When asked why the repair shop got into the soldering iron business, iFixit responded: “No electronics workbench is complete without a soldering iron, but we were dissatisfied with the irons we had. After our founder had to drag an extension cord out to his car to fix a stereo, we’d had enough.”
The company says that more than 1,000 of its online repair guides call for a soldering iron, a tool used by the average smartphone owner. It’s not something you’d find lounging around the house, usually. iFixit positions the product as “beginner friendly,” noting that it has a sleep mode, drop protection, and a light that displays the temperature.
Over the past few generations of devices, Apple has softened its stance on the issue, including introducing (admittedly bulky) at-home device repair kits.
These moves have been spurred by the proliferation of right-to-repair laws across the country and around the world. Apple continues to push back against some of these laws, including its ongoing opposition to “parts pairing,” which requires unique components for full functionality. But in April, TechCrunch exclusively learned that the company would enable repairs for third-party components.
The repairability of FixHub itself awaits Apple’s review. The soldering iron will cost $80 when it launches on October 15th. Pre-orders begin today in the US, Canada, Australia, and Europe. iFixit will also be offering a $300 package that includes the soldering iron, an extra battery, and additional repair tools.