The first thing discovered by the iFixit team is it is virtually impossible to remove any component without damaging the case and plastic bands. From that end, it may mean that any internal damage or malfunction will need a full phone replacement, or a few months in the disassembly, repair and reassembly line. The thing is, no shop repairman will be able to fix or replace any parts for you.

Many of the device’s internal parts like the motherboard and camera are covered with copper shielding. Placing this shielding back is as problematic as ironing out a crumpled aluminum foil, which means that it is virtually impossible without any specialized tools. The only choice you have with internal damage is to buy a new device or send it in to HTC and see if they will even bother trying to repair it. The good news is HTC might simply give you a new device rather than go through the hassle of repairing your damaged device.

The battery is also a big problem. Batteries are known to wear out over time, and in many cases, these batteries bulge as it gets older. The battery is tightly encapsulated and sandwiched by important internal parts. It is worrying to think that your battery may simply damage the internals as it gets old and gets “bigger” thereby adding pressure to its surrounding parts. Oh yeah, replacing it is hellish too.

It looks like you can’t count on this device when it breaks. It is just built to have One life. Several markings in the device may indicate that people from HTC never expected anyone to be able to open the device. Once it breaks inside, your options are extremely limited. If you do plan to get the HTC One, make sure you have insurance on this thing. External durability is marred by internal vulnerability in this device.