Cracking Open the iPhone 5S

iPhone 5S teardown

If it wasn't for the redesigned Home button and larger flash, the iPhone 5S and iPhone 5 would look like identical twins, at least on the outside. Take the new 5S apart however, and the differences are more apparent--even if only slightly so.

In this Cracking Open gallery, I walk you through the process of disassembling the iPhone 5S and give you a tour of the internal hardware. For a detailed analysis of the teardown, check out my article and video, iPhone 5S teardown reveals subtle internal design changes.

Cracking Open iPhone 5S: Box contents

Cracking Open iPhone 5S: Dimensions and weight

At 2.31 inches wide, 4.87 inches tall, 0.30 inches thick, and weighing 3.95 ounces, the iPhone 5S is a mirror image of the iPhone 5. The fingerprint-scanning Home button and larger flash are the only real outward difference. Things are different on the inside.

Cracking Open iPhone 5S: Hardware specs and pricing

The iPhone 5S has a brand new 64-bit A7 processor, M7 motion coprocessor, improved iSight camera, Home button with integrated fingerprint reader, larger LED flash, and a higher-capacity battery. There are also several subtle design changes inside the case. The iPhone 5S is available with 16GB ($199), 32GB ($299), or 64GB ($399) of storage--prices include carrier subsidy usually based on a activating a new 2-year plan. The 5S comes in three finishes--Space Gray (black), Silver (white), and Gold.

Cracking Open iPhone 5S: Front

Cracking Open iPhone 5S: Headphone jack, Lightning connector, speakers, and SIM card slot

Cracking Open iPhone 5S: Sleep/wake button, ring/silent switch, and volume buttons

Cracking Open iPhone 5S: Fingerprint-scanning Home button

Cracking Open iPhone 5S: Headphone jack, Lightning connector, and speakers

Cracking Open iPhone 5S: 1.2MP FaceTime camera, earpiece speaker, and front sensor

Cracking Open iPhone 5S: 8MP iSight Camera, mic, and flash

Cracking Open iPhone 5S: SIM card slot

Cracking Open iPhone 5S: Removing the external case screws

Cracking Open iPhone 5S: Prying loose the front panel

Cracking Open iPhone 5S: Home button ribbon cable

Cracking Open iPhone 5S: Removing the Home button cable connector catch

Cracking Open iPhone 5S: Home button cable catch

Cracking Open iPhone 5S:

Cracking Open iPhone 5S: Lifting up the front panel assembly

Cracking Open iPhone 5S: Front panel connectors

Cracking Open iPhone 5S: Removing the front panel connector cover screws

Cracking Open iPhone 5S: Removing the front panel connector cover

Cracking Open iPhone 5S: Detaching the front panel connectors

Cracking Open iPhone 5S: Removing the front panel assembly

Cracking Open iPhone 5S: Internal hardware

Cracking Open iPhone 5S: Internal hardware mounted to case

Cracking Open iPhone 5S: Front panel

Cracking Open iPhone 5S: Home button internal hardware

Cracking Open iPhone 5S: FaceTime camera, earpiece speaker, front sensor internal hardware

Cracking Open iPhone 5S: Removing the iSight camera

Cracking Open iPhone 5S: iSight camera - Front

Cracking Open iPhone 5S: iSight camera - Back

Cracking Open iPhone 5S: Removing the main board stand offs

Cracking Open iPhone 5S: Removing the battery and lower component connector cover

Cracking Open iPhone 5S: Disconnecting one of the main board cables

Cracking Open iPhone 5S: Removing the main board screws

Cracking Open iPhone 5S: Removing the main board

Cracking Open iPhone 5S: Main board removed

Cracking Open iPhone 5S: Removing the lower component screws

Cracking Open iPhone 5S: Removing the speaker assembly

Cracking Open iPhone 5S: 3.8V, 5.92Wh, 1,560mAh battery

Cracking Open iPhone 5S: Lower case components (Lightning connector, headphone jack, etc.)

Cracking Open iPhone 5S: Upper case components

Cracking Open iPhone 5S: Vibration motor

Cracking Open iPhone 5S: Button contacts

Cracking Open iPhone 5S: iSight camera housing, cover, and flash

Cracking Open iPhone 5S: Battery APN: 616-0728

Cracking Open iPhone 5S: Main board - Front

Cracking Open iPhone 5S: Main board - Back

Cracking Open iPhone 5S: Soldered EMI/RFI shields on main board

Unfortunately, the EMI/RFI shields on the iPhone 5S' main board are soldered in place. As I want to reassemble this phone in working order, I'm going to leave them alone.