Cracking Open the Apple iPhone 6S
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Apple iPhone 6S teardown
The iPhone 6S may look identical to last year’s iPhone 6, but it’s not the same phone. As with previous S models, Apple put most of the changes on the inside.
In this Cracking Open teardown, I take you through the process of disassembling the phone. To read my full analysis, check out the article, iPhone 6S teardown reveals upgrades galore, similar hardware layout.
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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: Ring/vibration switch and volume button contacts
Cracking Open Apple iPhone 6S: Teardown completed
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