14 DAY TRIAL // If you’re lurching around with a bent iPhone 6 Plus waiting for Apple to announce a recall or at least a free repair program, you might be wasting valuable time. There’s now a tool that you can use yourself to unbend the phone.
Sadly, however, it costs a lot of money and it doesn’t seem to be suited for non-savvy users. But here’s the story, if you’re “bent” on fixing your iDevice.
gTool to the rescue
gTool is what the makers call a “PanelPress” for iPhone 5, iPhone 5S, iPhone 6, and iPhone 6 Plus. Yes, it’s not just the latest model that bends, it’s also the older ones. Basically, all of the versions made from aluminum. Though we do feel the need to stress yet again that #bendgate is somewhat of a normal occurrence. If you buy a delicate smartphone made from aluminum and use it like a lever, it’ll bend.
gTool sells for $290 (€230), which is enough to make you consider buying a new phone altogether. However, the thing does look like a professional piece of machinery and it should do the trick much better than trying to even out your phone by pressing it against the side of a table.
Another word of caution. If you do intend to buy one, know that it’s advisable to take off the phone’s screen before attempting to straighten it. Needless to point out, removing the screen is not something you should do if you don’t know what to expect once you pop open the phone’s hood. Chances are there will be some flex cables connecting the screen to the motherboard that you’ll have to carefully pluck out.
You’ll also need a specialized screwdriver to even begin removing the display, presumably the pentalobe type. If you’re unsure, ask the tinkerers at iFixit. They have a tool for opening anything from a 1990s Walkman to a World War II tank.
Probably not worth the hassle or the money
Here’s another thing worth considering. Who guarantees that you’ll be able to straighten that thing back into its formerly pristine state using the gTool? Who says the screen will work once you fasten it back in there?
If you ask us, it’s best if you try to have it swapped for a new one at your local Apple Store. If the local store says no, visit another one. Some people have had different luck with different store managers / Geniuses. An extra trip is surely less painful than shelling out $290 (€230).
