Feels like we are entering a better era. Apple probably knows if they don’t clean up their act, it’s going to bring in regulations which will be out of their control. Better to preempt the regulations and just make reparability a focus.

They started doing it at least partially because of regulation, including California and EU law.

I think it also matters for them, since they sell a ton of Apple Care+ subscriptions. That wouldn't be profitable if it was a PITA to replace the battery or the screen, so this ends up being a win-win.