Apple

Cracking Open the Apple iPhone 5

By // September 25, 2012, 9:28 AM PST // billdetwiler

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  • Apple iPhone 5 teardown

    Apple's iPhone 5 has the same general shape as the iPhone 4 and iPhone 4S, but the newer device packs lots of hardware updates and a redesigned case. Thanks to these changes, the iPhone 5 is thinner, lighter, more powerful and easier to disassemble and repair. Follow along as I crack open the Apple iPhone 5.

    For a detailed analysis of the teardown, check out my article and video, iPhone 5 teardown: Redesigned case and interior simplify repairs.

    Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
    Caption by: Bill Detwiler

  • Cracking Open iPhone 5: Pricing and hardware specifications

    The iPhone 5 is available in 16GB, 32GB, and 64GB models. It comes in black or white. In the U.S., the iPhone 4S is available from AT&T, Sprint, and Verizon. When purchased with a two-year contract, a 16GB model costs $199, the 32GB model costs $299, and the 64GB model costs $399.I bought AT&T's version of the white, 32GB iPhone 5 (sans contract) from a local Best Buy Mobile location for $799.99 (plus tax).

    Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
    Caption by: Bill Detwiler

  • Cracking Open iPhone 5: Box contents

    Included with the iPhone 5 are a USB power adapter, Lightning to USB cable, Apple EarPods (with remote and mic), and product documentation.

    Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
    Caption by: Bill Detwiler

  • Cracking Open iPhone 5: Front

    Our the Apple iPhone 5 has an Apple A6 SoC with 1GB of DDR2 SDRAM, 32GB of storage, 8MP rear-facing camera,1.2MP front-facing camera, and 4" Retina display (1136x640-pixel resolution at 326 ppi).

    Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
    Caption by: Bill Detwiler

  • Cracking Open iPhone 5: Back

  • Cracking Open iPhone 5: Compared to iPhone 4S

    The iPhone 5 is taller, thinner, and lighter than the iPhone 4S.</br></br><strong>Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic</strong></br><strong>Caption by: Bill Detwiler</strong>

  • Cracking Open iPhone 5: iPhone 4S 30-pin connector vs. Lightning connector

  • Cracking Open iPhone 5: Power button vs. power button and headphone jack on iPhone 4S

  • Cracking Open iPhone 5: Ring/silent switch and volumen buttons

  • Cracking Open iPhone 5: 8MP iSight camera with flash

  • Cracking Open iPhone 5: 4" Retina display (1136x640 at 326ppi)

  • Cracking Open iPhone 5: Left side

  • Cracking Open iPhone 5: Right side

  • Cracking Open iPhone 5: Ready for disassembly

  • Cracking Open iPhone 5: Removing the nano-SIM card and card holder

  • Cracking Open iPhone 5: nano-SIM card and holder removed

  • Cracking Open iPhone 5: Removing the pentalobe case screws

  • Cracking Open iPhone 5: Popping loose the front panel

  • Cracking Open iPhone 5: Removing the front panel

  • Cracking Open iPhone 5: Front panel connectors

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

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

  • Cracking Open iPhone 5: Detaching the front panel connectors

  • Cracking Open iPhone 5: Front panel completely removed

  • Cracking Open iPhone 5: Internal hardware

  • Cracking Open iPhone 5: Front panel assembly

  • Cracking Open iPhone 5: Removing the battery connector cover screw

  • Cracking Open iPhone 5: Removing the battery connector cover

  • Cracking Open iPhone 5: Disconnecting the battery

  • Cracking Open iPhone 5: Removing the battery

  • Cracking Open iPhone 5: Battery removed

  • Cracking Open iPhone 5: 3.8V, 5.45Wh, 1,440mAh Li-Ion battery - Front

  • Cracking Open iPhone 5: 3.8V, 5.45Wh, 1,440mAh Li-Ion battery - Back

  • Cracking Open iPhone 5: Detaching the motherboard connectors

  • Cracking Open iPhone 5: Removing the rear-camera spring contact

  • Cracking Open iPhone 5: A pair of ribbon cables cover one of the motherboard screws

  • Cracking Open iPhone 5: Motherboard ribbon cable connectors removed

  • Cracking Open iPhone 5: Removing the motherboard screws and standoffs

  • Cracking Open iPhone 5: Removing to antenna screws

  • Cracking Open iPhone 5: Removing the motherboard

  • Cracking Open iPhone 5: Case with motherboard removed

  • Cracking Open iPhone 5: Case with attached components

  • Cracking Open iPhone 5: Case and attached components - side

  • Cracking Open iPhone 5: Motherboard with rear-facing camera attached - Back

  • Cracking Open iPhone 5: Motherboard with rear-facing camera attached - Front

  • Cracking Open iPhone 5: Removing the rear-facing camera screw

  • Cracking Open iPhone 5: Rear-facing camera detached from motherboard

  • Cracking Open iPhone 5: Motherboard - Front

  • Cracking Open iPhone 5: Motherboard - Back

  • Cracking Open iPhone 5: 8 megapixel iSight camera

  • Cracking Open iPhone 5: Headphone jack, Lightning connector, and speaker assembly

  • Cracking Open iPhone 5: Upper case components

  • Cracking Open iPhone 5: Vibration motor

  • Cracking Open iPhone 5: Front panel catches

  • Cracking Open iPhone 5: Home button

  • Cracking Open iPhone 5: front-facing camera, earpiece, and front sensor assembly

  • Cracking Open iPhone 5: Completely disassembled

Apple iPhone 5 teardown

Apple's iPhone 5 has the same general shape as the iPhone 4 and iPhone 4S, but the newer device packs lots of hardware updates and a redesigned case. Thanks to these changes, the iPhone 5 is thinner, lighter, more powerful and easier to disassemble and repair. Follow along as I crack open the Apple iPhone 5.

For a detailed analysis of the teardown, check out my article and video, iPhone 5 teardown: Redesigned case and interior simplify repairs.

Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
Caption by: Bill Detwiler

Related Topics:

Apple Mobility Hardware Innovation Software Consumerization Cloud

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...