Apple really doesn't want users to tamper with their iPhones. There have been reports that U.S. Apple stores are "screwing" with iPhone 4 models brought in for service. Service centers replace the original screws with tamper-proof screws to keep anyone from opening the iPhones. Apple also has recently switched production, and new U.S. iPhone 4s are shipping with the new screws.
The screw-up was reported by iFixit, an independent Apple repair service in San Luis Obispo that provides teardowns and self-repair advice. iFixit CEO Kyle Wiens blogged about a
tamper-resistant screw, called a pentalobe, on new shipments of the
iPhone 4. The pentalobe looks like a wide 5-pointed star and requires a special screwdriver from Apple.
Wiens contends that Apple stopped using standard Phillips and Torx
screws on the iPhone 4 and other products to "keep you out of your own
hardware."
iFixit is offering a special screw kit with new
screws and a 5-pointed screwdriver that will remove the screws, but it may
damage the pentalobe screws. The iFixit spokesmodel, MJ, calls the screw-up an
"insidious plan to sabotage our iPhones."
iPhone repairs can be very expensive after the warranty runs out. We suggest that you don't tamper with your iPhone until after the warranty is over.
Apple's Diabolical Plan to Screw your iPhone from iFixit on Vimeo.