Apple received a lot of visibility with this story. While any step offering more access to repair options is to an extent positive, there’s not so much to celebrate. I’m adding a few points in addition to the valid points you’ve all made.
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the programme only applies to iPhone screens and batteries, just as with Apple Authorised repairers. In a way, it’s nothing new, given that independent repairers have for years been able to get Samsung genuine replacement screens (for example)
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it seems that Apple wouldn’t prevent independent repairers from engaging in other repairs, using third party spare parts, as hinted in the Reuters piece (differently from what happens with Authorised repairers)
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however this leaves a lot of doubts, particularly given Apple’s current approach, sueing people such as Norwegian repairer Henrik Huseby for using “counterfeit” parts. Is this likely to happen frequently under this new strategy on repair? Will businesses be removed from the programme if Apple isn’t happy with the range of other repairs performed?
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one interesting twist is that until very recently Apple claimed that screen replacement required calibration done with expensive machines. Clearly this wasn’t true: as part of the programme, Apple is now providing screens for the very same models of iPhones which previously would have required calibration…
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more in general, this big PR success doesn’t address the main flaw with Apple’s approach to iPhone repairs: any repair other than screen and battery is not officially supported, not even at Apple Stores! Which means that if a camera, speaker or button stops working, Apple doesn’t offer an official solution or parts - it asks customers to pay up to half of the cost of a brand new device,which is…ridiculous. That’s nothing to do with the Right to repair we’re after!