The Register® — Biting the hand that feeds IT

Feeds

Samsung chips evicted from iPhone 5, autopsy reveals

The screen's a doddle to replace too

Agentless Backup is Not a Myth

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.

iFixit.com iPhone 5 takeapart

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.

iFixit.com iPhone 5 takeapart

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 ®

Customer Success Testimonial: Recovery is Everything

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.

20
4

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.

12
0

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.

14
3

More from The Register

 breaking news
Curtain drops on Apple Store ahead of WWDC: What lies behind?
Steve Jobs watching from on high. No pressure, lads
 breaking news
Cold, dead hands of Steve Jobs slip from iPhones: The Cult of Ive is upon us
Billionaire biz baron's death clears way for uber-shiny iOS 7
First look: iOS 7 for iPad
No, Apple hasn't released it yet, but that doesn't stop intrepid devs
Airbus imagines suitcases that find themselves
Point your mobe at your smalls to track their every move
Samsung Galaxy Note 8: Proof the pen is mightier?
Sammy’s iPad Mini killer has a stylus to stab other rivals too
Surprise! Intel smartphone trounces ARM in power trials
Tests show equal performance while sipping significantly less juice
Apple said to be 'exploring' 5.7-inch iPhone
Who's the copycat this time, Mr. Cook?
Google Chromebooks now in over 6,600 stores
Major, worldwide retail push begins this summer
Samsung plans LTE Advanced version of Galaxy S4
1Gbps download capability could stiffen drooping S4 sales forecasts
Review: Belkin Thunderbolt Express Dock
Missing Mac ports reunited, for a price