After Hours

Apple iPod Shuffle 4th Generation Teardown

By // September 6, 2010, 11:54 PM PST // billdetwiler

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  • Cracking open the iPod Shuffle (4th generation)

    In September 2010, Apple unveiled the 4th generation iPod Shuffle. The music player has the basic design of the 2nd generation iPod Shuffle, with the large control pad and postage stamp shape.

    Unlike most of the computers, smartphones, and gadgets I disassemble, the iPod Shuffle isn't designed to be taken apart and put back together. And with a price of just $49 (US), most people will opt to simply replace a damaged Shuffle instead of repairing it. But, that doesn't mean it can't, or shouldn't be done.

    If you do decide to disassemble the iPod Shuffle, you'll need a Phillips #00 or #000 screwdriver and a thin metal blade or plastic spudger.

    Photo credit: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic

  • Still in the box

    According to Apple, the 4th generation iPod Shuffle's packaging is 60 percent smaller and 53 percent lighter than the packaging using on previous models.

    Photo credit: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic

  • 2GB only

    As the packing indicates, this is a 2GB iPod Shuffle--the only size Apple offers.

    Photo credit: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic

  • Opening the box

    As of this writing, Apple offers the iPod Shuffle in five colors--silver, blue, green, orange, and pink.

    Photo credit: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic

  • Box contents

    Below the iPod Shuffle are the product documentation, headphones, and USB cable.

    Photo credit: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic

  • Headphones and USB cable

    Photo credit: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic

  • Front

    The 4th generation iPod Shuffle is 1.14 inches tall, 1.24 inches wide, 0.34 inches deep, and weighs 0.44 ounces. The large control pad dominates the front of the device.

    Photo credit: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic

  • Back

    Like the 2nd and 3rd generation iPod Shuffles, the 4th generation device has a clip on the back.

    Photo credit: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic

  • Top

    Along the top of the 4th generation iPod Shuffle are the 3.5mm headphone jack, VoiceOver button, and play-order/power switch.

    Photo credit: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic

  • Bottom

    There's nothing on the bottom of the 4th generation iPod Shuffle.

    Photo credit: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic

  • Opening the case

    The 4th generation iPod Shuffle's case has two parts--a larger front enclosure and a rear panel. The clip is attached to the rear panel.

    Holding the clip in the open position, you can see where the edges of the rear panel meet the front enclosure. The joint between the two case sections is extremely tight. To remove the rear panel, I pulled up on the open end of the clip until I formed a small gap between the two sections. I then inserted a thin metal blade and pried the panel free.

    The rear panel is held in place with tabs that run along the left and right sides, as well as adhesive. You may bend the panel slightly during removal, but you should be able to pull it free without breaking it.

    Photo credit: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic

  • Removing the rear case panel

    With one side of the panel free, you should be able to separate it from the front case enclosure. A very thin rubber gasket sits under the rear panel. Take care not to rip the gasket when removing the panel.

    Photo credit: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic

  • Rear panel removed

    With the rear panel removed, we get our first look inside the 4th generation iPod Shuffle.

    Photo credit: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic

  • Rear panel - External

    Photo credit: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic

  • Rear panel - Internal

    The iPod Shuffle's clip and hinge are attached to the rear panel with four screws.

    Photo credit: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic

  • Rear panel removed - rubber gasket in place

    Taking up roughly half the space inside the 4th generation iPod Shuffle is the 3.7V, 0.19Whr Li-ion battery. The black, rubber gasket still covers the back of the logic board.

    Photo credit: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic

  • Removing the rubber gasket

    You should be able to lift the gasket away from the iPod Shuffle without tearing it. With the gasket removed, we can see the underside of the logic board.

    Photo credit: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic

  • Non-replaceable battery

    Unfortunately, Apple soldered the iPod Shuffle's battery to the logic board. You won't be replacing this battery without getting out your soldering iron.

    Photo credit: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic

  • Removing the logic board screw

    The iPod Shuffle's logic board is held in place with a single Phillips #00 screw. You'll also need to disconnect the small ribbon cable for the control pad.

    Photo credit: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic

  • Removing the first control button assembly screw

    Removing the battery reveals a portion of the metal plate that serves as a backing for the control pad's internal contacts. One of the screws that holds this plate in place is also visible. You can remove the screw now or leave it in place and remove it later. I choose to remove it now.

    Photo credit: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic

  • White, plastic spacer

    A small, plastic spacer holds the logic board against the top of the front case enclosure. You should be able to pop it free with a small pointed instrument, such as the metal blade shown here.

    Photo credit: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic

  • Slide the logic board down

    With the spacer removed, you can slide the logic board and attached headphone jack down past the top lip of the case.

    Photo credit: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic

  • Removing the logic board and battery

    You should now be able to gently lift the logic board away from the case.

    Photo credit: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic

  • With the logic board and battery removed

    With the logic board and battery removed, we can see a metal plate, which serves as a base for the Control pad contacts. It's held in place with four Phillips #00 screws--one of which I removed earlier.

    Photo credit: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic

  • Removing the control pad contact plate screws

    We'll need to remove the three remaining screws before lifting the control pad contact plate away from the case.

    Photo credit: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic

  • Hidden screw

    One of the screws is hidden behind this small cushion.

    Photo credit: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic

  • Removing the control pad contact plate

    With all four screws removed, we can lift the control pad contact plate away from the case.

    Photo credit: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic

  • Control pad contact plate removed

    With the control pad contact plate removed, we can see the back of the control pad.

    Photo credit: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic

  • Control pad contact plate - Back

    Photo credit: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic

  • Control pad contact plate - Front

    The actual contacts for the iPod Shuffle's control pad are attached to this metal plate.

    Photo credit: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic

  • Front case enclosure and Control pad

    The iPod Shuffle's control pad should pop free with a gentle push.

    Photo credit: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic

  • Front case enclosure - Internal

    Photo credit: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic

  • Front case enclosure - External

    Photo credit: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic

  • Play-order/Power switch

    At this point, there's nothing left in the iPod Suffle's case but the play-order/power switch.

    Photo credit: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic

  • Control pad - Internal

    Photo credit: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic

  • Control pad - External

    Photo credit: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic

  • Logic board and battery - Back

    Photo credit: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic

  • Logic board and battery - Front

    The large ship on the front of the logic board is covered with a sticker.

    Photo credit: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic

  • Main chip

    The iPod Shuffle's main chip has the following markings:

    339S0128
    K9GA608U0E-BCB0 / FDEG21QV 1028
    8443 ARM
    N2N3XNP2 1031

    Photo credit: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic

  • Completely disassembled

    With its hard-to-open case and soldered battery, the 4th generation iPod Shuffle wasn't really designed to be serviced--especially not by the average user. I wouldn't recommend cracking open your Shuffle unless you're prepared to possibly break the device.

    Photo credit: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic

Cracking open the iPod Shuffle (4th generation)

In September 2010, Apple unveiled the 4th generation iPod Shuffle. The music player has the basic design of the 2nd generation iPod Shuffle, with the large control pad and postage stamp shape.

Unlike most of the computers, smartphones, and gadgets I disassemble, the iPod Shuffle isn't designed to be taken apart and put back together. And with a price of just $49 (US), most people will opt to simply replace a damaged Shuffle instead of repairing it. But, that doesn't mean it can't, or shouldn't be done.

If you do decide to disassemble the iPod Shuffle, you'll need a Phillips #00 or #000 screwdriver and a thin metal blade or plastic spudger.

Photo credit: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic

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After Hours Innovation Hardware Tech & Work

About Bill Detwiler

Bill Detwiler is Managing Editor of TechRepublic and Tech Pro Research and the host of Cracking Open, CNET and TechRepublic's popular online show. Prior to joining TechRepublic in 2000, Bill was an IT manager, database administrator, and desktop supp...