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iFixit has put a new tool in its Power Series line up for preorder: the FixHub Smart Soldering Iron, which the company claims heats up in less than five seconds.

The 100 W device is USB-C powered, and features an automatic cooling and re-heating function triggered by the iron being put down and picked up, respectively. An LED ring indicates its current status: heating, hot, or cooling.

The replaceable tip’s temperature is adjustable between 100-420°C. This is achievable via iFixit’s web interface or the FixHub Power Station, with which the soldering iron is compatible. The soldering iron itself is rounded out with features like fall protection and auto standby. It’s priced at $79.95 and eyes a January 2025 ship date.

Despite its as-yet-released status, The Verge has already gotten its hands on one, and conducted an in-depth, predominantly positive review. Praise goes out to its feature-rich beginner- and pro-friendly design (it “worked beautifully” the review reads).

Other than a few minor misgivings – hard-to-discern LED ring colors, for instance – the real hangup here is whether its price is justifiable given the cheaper options out there, like the Pinecil, a $26 device that is open-source and comes highly recommended by the publication.

You can find full specs and more info for the FixHub Smart Soldering Iron on its product page on iFixit’s website – and, of course, be sure to read The Verge’s review, which is both enlightening and entertaining.

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