Hardware

Cracking Open the Apple iPhone 6

By · October 1, 2014, 1:59 PM PST · billdetwiler

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  • Apple iPhone 6 teardown

    With it's larger screen and rounded edges, the iPhone 6 is a dramatic departure from the exterior design that Apple introduced with the iPhone 4. But along with the outside changes, Apple also made lots of tweaks on the inside, which make the iPhone 6 faster, able to store more data, and easier to open and repair.

    In this Cracking Open gallery, I walk you through the process of disassembling the iPhone 6 and give you a tour of the internal hardware. For a detailed analysis of the teardown, check out my article and video, Apple iPhone 6 teardown: Design changes make device easier to repair.

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  • Cracking Open the iPhone 6: Box contents

    The iPhone 6 has a brand new A8 processor, M8 motion coprocessor, improved iSight camera, and a higher-capacity battery. There are also several significant design changes inside the case. The iPhone 6 is available with 16GB ($199), 64GB ($299), or 128GB ($399) of storage--prices include carrier subsidy usually based on a activating a new 2-year plan. The 6 comes in three finishes--Space Gray (black), Silver (white), and Gold.

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  • Cracking Open the iPhone 6: Dimensions and weight

    At 2.64 inches wide, 5.44 inches tall, 0.27 inches thick, and weighing 4.55 ounces, the iPhone 6 is larger, but thinner than the 5S.

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  • Cracking Open the iPhone 6: Lightning connector, headphone jack, and external speaker

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  • Cracking Open the iPhone 6: iSight camera

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  • Cracking Open the iPhone 6: Back

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  • Cracking Open the iPhone 6: 4.7 Retina HD display (1334 x 750 resolution)

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  • Cracking Open the iPhone 6: Removing the Petalobe case screws

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  • Cracking Open the iPhone 6: Lifting up the front panel

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  • Cracking Open the iPhone 6: Disconnecting the front panel connectors

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  • Cracking Open the iPhone 6: Removing the front panel

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  • Cracking Open the iPhone 6: Internal hardware

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  • Cracking Open the iPhone 6: Front panel

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  • Cracking Open the iPhone 6: Front-facing camera, sensor, and earpiece speaker assembly

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  • Cracking Open the iPhone 6: Inside the aluminum body

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  • Cracking Open the iPhone 6: Removing the iSight camera

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  • Cracking Open the iPhone 6: 8MP iSight camera

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  • Cracking Open the iPhone 6: Removing an antenna

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  • Cracking Open the iPhone 6: Removaable antenna

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  • Cracking Open the iPhone 6: Removing the main circuit board

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  • Cracking Open the iPhone 6: Main circuit board - top

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  • Cracking Open the iPhone 6: Main circuit board - Back

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  • Cracking Open the iPhone 6: SK hynix 64GB NAND Flash (H2JTFG8YD1BMS)

    Update 11/10/2014: The title of this image was corrected to indicated the NAND Flash chip shown in this photo (the SK hynix H2JTFG8YD1BMS) is a 64GB version.

    Bill Detwiler/TechRepublic

  • Cracking Open the iPhone 6: Shields soldered to the main logic board

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  • Cracking Open the iPhone 6: Removing the external speaker

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  • Cracking Open the iPhone 6: External speaker

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  • Cracking Open the iPhone 6: Removing the vibration motor

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  • Cracking Open the iPhone 6: Linear actuator vibration motor

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  • Cracking Open the iPhone 6: Body with system board, speaker, camera, and vibration motor removed

    Bill Detwiler/TechRepublic

  • Cracking Open the iPhone 6: 3.82V, 1810 mAh, 6.91Wh battery

    Bill Detwiler/TechRepublic

  • Cracking Open the iPhone 6: Power button and rear camera flash

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  • Cracking Open the iPhone 6: Lightning connector and headphone jack

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  • Cracking Open the iPhone 6: Finished teardown

    Bill Detwiler/TechRepublic

Apple iPhone 6 teardown

With it's larger screen and rounded edges, the iPhone 6 is a dramatic departure from the exterior design that Apple introduced with the iPhone 4. But along with the outside changes, Apple also made lots of tweaks on the inside, which make the iPhone 6 faster, able to store more data, and easier to open and repair.

In this Cracking Open gallery, I walk you through the process of disassembling the iPhone 6 and give you a tour of the internal hardware. For a detailed analysis of the teardown, check out my article and video, Apple iPhone 6 teardown: Design changes make device easier to repair.

Bill Detwiler/TechRepublic

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By Bill Detwiler

Bill Detwiler is Editor in Chief of TechRepublic 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 support specialist in the ...

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