Samsung chips evicted from iPhone 5, autopsy reveals
The screen's a doddle to replace too
Fans fed up of broken iPhone screens will be pleased to hear that the new model, the iPhone 5, makes it much easier to replace the glass panel placed on top of the smartphone's display.
So say the gadget deconstructionists at iFixit.com after getting hold of the handset this morning Down Under.
Source: iFixit.com
As with the iPhone 4S, the new model uses a pair of pentalobe screws to keep the case closed. But removing them reveals the screen assembly is the first part to come away. That, said iFixit, will make it a much more straightforward process to replace a cracked or smashed screen cover. In the 4 and 4S, is said, the display assembly took 38 steps to remove. Replacing the display hasn't been as easy as is with the iPhone 5 since 2009's iPhone 3GS.
iFixit gives the iPhone 5 a rating of seven out of ten for repairability. The 4S scored six; the 4 wasn't rated at the time. The fact that the rear panel is now aluminium and not glass, as per the 4 and 4S, means the new model should be more resilient than the last few versions.
Other discoveries include the fact that Apple is shipping the 5 with a 3.8V, 5.45Wh Lithium-ion Polymer battery made by Sony. It's easy to remove and replace too.
Source: iFixit.com
The unit iFixit acquired contained Flash storage from Hynix, and 1GB of LPDDR 2 memory, built into the A6 CPU package, from Elpida. So two key components NOT supplied by Samsung, unlike past iPhones. Other chips include a 3G/4G modem from Qualcomm, a motion sensor from ST Micro, Wi-Fi tech from Murata, and touchscreen controllers from Texas Instruments and Broadcom.
More details - and plenty of other pics - over at iFixit.com ®
COMMENTS
Relativity
"...Apple is shipping the 5 with a 3.8V, 5.45Wh Lithium-ion Polymer battery made by Sony. It's easy to remove and replace too."
Easy is a bit relative when referring to the iDevices. Its easy if you don't mind going at the device with a pentalobe screwdriver and void any warranty remaining.
Unless most other devices where you just pop the back off.
Re: Relativity
"If you've got remaining warranty why wouldn't you get Apple to replace the battery for free?"
Because that's a bit of a time-consuming process if all I want to do is pop in a freshly charged battery so I can keep using the thing for a few more hours.
Re: Relativity
But the point is you can do it yourself in seconds with other phones. Having to send the thing back to Apple or drop into a shop just to change a faulty battery is madness.
Re: Relativity
"If you've got remaining warranty why wouldn't you get Apple to replace the battery for free?"
Some people don't like backing up all their data and sending their device off to replace a poxy battery. Especially when the device they get back from this process might not be the one they sent in the first place, hence the need for a backup.
@A/C 12:15 GMT was Re: Relativity
I remember watching my brother update his iPhone once (backup, update, restore)... Two words came to mind... F*CKING SLOW!
That's why people skip backups.
Plus there is the other issue with backing it up and sending it off... What exactly are you supposed to use for a phone whilst the "genius" is dribbling over your phone whilst replacing the battery?
Final issue, for a Li-ion battery to be reduced to the required <50% capacity within 12 months is very very unlikely. Two or three years down the line is far more like it... Now what are you going to do (assuming you're not a good fanboy and didn't instantly upgrade your phone as soon as you were able).
