Cracking Open Apple iPhone 6S: Box contents

No surprises in the iPhone 6S box.

Cracking Open Apple iPhone 6S:

Like the previous model, the 6S measures 5.44 inches tall and 2.64 inches wide. It’s 0.2 millimeter thicker and about a half an ounce heavier, but I doubt most people will notice these differences.

iPhone 6S compared to iPhone 6

The iPhone 6 (right) and iPhone 6S (left) both have a 4.7-inch Retina HD display, but the newer phone features Apple’s 3D Touch technology, which can detect how much pressure you apply to the screen. Perhaps, this is why Apple covered the 6S’ display with a new kind of chemically strengthened glass.

Cracking Open Apple iPhone 6S: On/off button and SIM card slot

Cracking Open Apple iPhone 6S: Ring/silent switch and volume buttons

Cracking Open Apple iPhone 6S: Upgraded FaceTime camera

Apple upgraded the FaceTime camera from 1.2 megapixels to 5 megapixels.

Cracking Open Apple iPhone 6S: Gold finish

Apple offers the iPhone 6S in Silver, Gold, Space Gray, and a new Rose Gold finish.

Cracking Open Apple iPhone 6S: Upgraded iSight camera

The new 12-megapixel iSight camera can shoot 4K video at 30 frames per second.

Cracking Open Apple iPhone 6S: Lightning connector, headphone jack, mic, and speaker

Cracking Open Apple iPhone 6S: Removing the SIM card and holder

Cracking Open Apple iPhone 6S: Removing the pentalobe screws

Apple continues to use pentalobe screws to hold the front panel to the body.

Cracking Open Apple iPhone 6S: Popping off the front panel

Apple used additional/stronger adhesive one the iPhone 6S compared to the iPhone 6. Opening the cases was more difficult and took slightly more time, even with this specialized tool.

Cracking Open Apple iPhone 6S: Lifting up on the front panel

Cracking Open Apple iPhone 6S: Removing the battery connector cover

Cracking Open Apple iPhone 6S: Disconnecting the battery

Cracking Open Apple iPhone 6S: Removing the cover for the front panel connectors

Cracking Open Apple iPhone 6S: Detaching the front panel connectors

Apple reduces the number of front panel connectors from four (on the iPhone 6) to three.

Cracking Open Apple iPhone 6S: Removing the display and front panel assembly

Cracking Open Apple iPhone 6S: Display and front panel assembly

Behind the metal plate, which covers the back of the display, sits the hardware that enables the iPhone 6S’ 3D Touch technology.

Cracking Open Apple iPhone 6S: FaceTime camera, earpiece speaker, and front-facing sensors

Cracking Open Apple iPhone 6S: Home button

Cracking Open Apple iPhone 6S: Removing the iSight camera cover

Cracking Open Apple iPhone 6S: Removing the iSight camera

Cracking Open Apple iPhone 6S: 12-megapixel iSight camera

Cracking Open Apple iPhone 6S: iSight camera markings

Cracking Open Apple iPhone 6S: Removing an antenna assembly

Cracking Open Apple iPhone 6S: Antenna assembly

Cracking Open Apple iPhone 6S: New hex standoff

The new hex-head standoff is easier to remove than the previous slotted version used in previous iPhones.

Cracking Open Apple iPhone 6S: Removing the system board

Cracking Open Apple iPhone 6S: System board front

Cracking Open Apple iPhone 6S: System board back

Cracking Open Apple iPhone 6S: WiFi module

Cracking Open Apple iPhone 6S: System board shields are soldered in place

Cracking Open Apple iPhone 6S: Apple Taptic engine

Cracking Open Apple iPhone 6S: Speaker assembly

Cracking Open Apple iPhone 6S: Aluminum body with battery and attached components

Cracking Open Apple iPhone 6S: Headphone jack and mic assembly

Cracking Open Apple iPhone 6S: Lightning connector

Cracking Open Apple iPhone 6S: Rear-facing sensor and flash assembly

Cracking Open Apple iPhone 6S: On/off button contact

Cracking Open Apple iPhone 6S: Ring/vibration switch and volume button contacts

Cracking Open Apple iPhone 6S: Teardown completed