Cracking Open the Apple Watch (2015)
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Apple Watch Teardown
The Apple Watch may be beautiful on the outside, but how about on the inside?
In this TechRepublic teardown gallery, Bill Detwiler goes inside the watch’s case for a look at the hardware that powers Apple’s new wearable.
To read his complete hardware analysis, check out his article, Apple Watch teardown reveals unique hardware and replaceable parts.


Cracking Open Apple Watch: Pricing and models
Cracking Open Apple Watch: Pricing and models
The Apple Watch comes in three different models, two different sizes, and six different finishes. There are more than a dozen different bands and prices range from $349 all the way up to ridiculous $17,000 for the gold versions.


Cracking Open Apple Watch: Dimensions and weight
Cracking Open Apple Watch: Dimensions and weight
Our test unit was a 42mm stainless steel model with a black sport band. It measured 42mm high, just under 36mm wide, 10.5mm thick. It weighed a very light 50 grams.
The front panel on this model is made from sapphire crystal, compared to Ion-X glass on the aluminum-bodied Sport model.
Cracking Open Apple Watch: Back


Cracking Open Apple Watch: Heart rate sensor
Cracking Open Apple Watch: Heart rate sensor


Cracking Open Apple Watch: Digital Crown and Side button
Cracking Open Apple Watch: Digital Crown and Side button


Cracking Open Apple Watch: Left side
Cracking Open Apple Watch: Left side


Cracking Open Apple Watch: Speaker and microphone
Cracking Open Apple Watch: Speaker and microphone


Cracking Open Apple Watch: Digital Crown and Side button from the bottom
Cracking Open Apple Watch: Digital Crown and Side button from the bottom


Cracking Open Apple Watch: Sport band clasp
Cracking Open Apple Watch: Sport band clasp


Cracking Open Apple Watch: Releasing the band
Cracking Open Apple Watch: Releasing the band


Cracking Open Apple Watch: Hidden diagnostic port
Cracking Open Apple Watch: Hidden diagnostic port


Cracking Open Apple Watch: Heating the display adhesive
Cracking Open Apple Watch: Heating the display adhesive


Cracking Open Apple Watch: Separating the display and watch battery
Cracking Open Apple Watch: Separating the display and watch battery


Cracking Open Apple Watch: Working my way around the display edges
Cracking Open Apple Watch: Working my way around the display edges


Cracking Open Apple Watch: First look inside the watch body
Cracking Open Apple Watch: First look inside the watch body


Cracking Open Apple Watch: Exposing the display cables
Cracking Open Apple Watch: Exposing the display cables


Cracking Open Apple Watch: Display cable bracket
Cracking Open Apple Watch: Display cable bracket


Cracking Open Apple Watch: Removing the display cable bracket
Cracking Open Apple Watch: Removing the display cable bracket


Cracking Open Apple Watch: Display cable connectors
Cracking Open Apple Watch: Display cable connectors


Cracking Open Apple Watch: Detaching the display cable connectors
Cracking Open Apple Watch: Detaching the display cable connectors


Cracking Open Apple Watch: Removing the display
Cracking Open Apple Watch: Removing the display


Cracking Open Apple Watch: Internal hardware
Cracking Open Apple Watch: Internal hardware


Cracking Open Apple Watch: Display and front panel assembly
Cracking Open Apple Watch: Display and front panel assembly


Cracking Open Apple Watch: Removing the battery
Cracking Open Apple Watch: Removing the battery


Cracking Open Apple Watch: 3.78V, 246mAh Li-ion battery
Cracking Open Apple Watch: 3.78V, 246mAh Li-ion battery


Cracking Open Apple Watch: Watch body with battery removed
Cracking Open Apple Watch: Watch body with battery removed


Cracking Open Apple Watch: Taptic Engine and speaker assembly
Cracking Open Apple Watch: Taptic Engine and speaker assembly


Cracking Open Apple Watch: S1 system in package (SiP)
Cracking Open Apple Watch: S1 system in package (SiP)


Cracking Open Apple Watch: Microphone, battery, and display contacts
Cracking Open Apple Watch: Microphone, battery, and display contacts


Cracking Open Apple Watch: Digital Crown and Side button contacts
Cracking Open Apple Watch: Digital Crown and Side button contacts


Cracking Open Apple Watch: Diagnostic port contact
Cracking Open Apple Watch: Diagnostic port contact


Cracking Open Apple Watch: Antenna assembly shown above Taptic Engine
Cracking Open Apple Watch: Antenna assembly shown above Taptic Engine


Cracking Open Apple Watch: Disassembled
Cracking Open Apple Watch: Disassembled

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