HTC ThunderBolt Teardown
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Cracking open the HTC ThunderBolt
Cracking open the HTC ThunderBolt
ntIn March 2011, Verizon began selling the HTC ThunderBolt–the first smartphone to run on its 4G LTE network. In his review, TechRepublic’s Jason Hiner dubbed it the “Ferrari of smartphones”. It’s big, it’s fast, and it guzzles battery life.
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ntFollow along as I crack open the HTC ThunderBolt.
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ntPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
ntCaption by: Bill Detwiler
HTC ThunderBolt Teardown: Box
HTC ThunderBolt Teardown: Box
ntAs of this writing, the HTC ThunderBolt costs $249 (US) with a 2-year Verizon contract. The ThunderBolt has the following technical specifications:
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- nttOS: Android 2.2 (Froyo) with HTC Sense UI
- nttProcessor: 1 GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon (QSD8655), Adreno 205 GPU, and MDM9600 chipset for 3G/4G
- nttRAM: 768MB
- nttStorage: 8GB internal, 32GB microSD (pre-installed)
- nttDisplay: 4.3-inch WVGA with 480u00d7800 resolution
- nttBattery: Lithium-ion with 1400 mAh capacity
- nttPorts: microUSB 2.0, 3.5mm audio jack, SIM slot
- nttCamera: 8MP with auto-focus, dual LED flash, HD video capture, 1.3MP front-facing camera
- nttSensors: Accelerometer, A-GPS, digital compass, proximity sensor, ambient light sensor
- nttWireless: Wi-Fi 802.11b/g/n; Bluetooth 2.1 with EDR
- nttTethering: USB + mobile Wi-Fi hotspot
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ntPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
ntCaption by: Bill Detwiler
HTC ThunderBolt Teardown: Opening the box
HTC ThunderBolt Teardown: Opening the box
ntPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
ntCaption by: Bill Detwiler
HTC ThunderBolt Teardown: Accessories under the phone
HTC ThunderBolt Teardown: Accessories under the phone
ntPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
ntCaption by: Bill Detwiler
HTC ThunderBolt Teardown: Box contents
HTC ThunderBolt Teardown: Box contents
ntPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
ntCaption by: Bill Detwiler
HTC ThunderBolt Teardown: Front
HTC ThunderBolt Teardown: Front
ntThe HTC Thunberbolt weighs 6.23 ounces and measures 4.75 x 2.44 x 0.56 inches.
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ntPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
ntCaption by: Bill Detwiler
HTC ThunderBolt Teardown: Back
HTC ThunderBolt Teardown: Back
ntPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
ntCaption by: Bill Detwiler
HTC ThunderBolt Teardown: Top
HTC ThunderBolt Teardown: Top
ntPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
ntCaption by: Bill Detwiler
HTC ThunderBolt Teardown: Bottom
HTC ThunderBolt Teardown: Bottom
ntPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
ntCaption by: Bill Detwiler
HTC ThunderBolt Teardown: Left side
HTC ThunderBolt Teardown: Left side
ntPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
ntCaption by: Bill Detwiler
HTC ThunderBolt Teardown: Right side
HTC ThunderBolt Teardown: Right side
ntPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
ntCaption by: Bill Detwiler
HTC ThunderBolt Teardown: Stand
HTC ThunderBolt Teardown: Stand
ntPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
ntCaption by: Bill Detwiler
HTC ThunderBolt Teardown: Stand open
HTC ThunderBolt Teardown: Stand open
ntPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
ntCaption by: Bill Detwiler
HTC ThunderBolt Teardown: Removing the back cover
HTC ThunderBolt Teardown: Removing the back cover
ntPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
ntCaption by: Bill Detwiler
HTC ThunderBolt Teardown: Back cover removed
HTC ThunderBolt Teardown: Back cover removed
ntPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
ntCaption by: Bill Detwiler
HTC ThunderBolt Teardown: Battery - Back
HTC ThunderBolt Teardown: Battery - Back
ntThe HTC ThunderBolt has a 3.7V Lithium-ion with 1400 mAh capacity battery.
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ntPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
ntCaption by: Bill Detwiler
HTC ThunderBolt Teardown: Battery - Front
HTC ThunderBolt Teardown: Battery - Front
ntPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
ntCaption by: Bill Detwiler
HTC ThunderBolt Teardown: Back cover and battery removed
HTC ThunderBolt Teardown: Back cover and battery removed
ntPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
ntCaption by: Bill Detwiler
HTC ThunderBolt Teardown: Removing the microSD card
HTC ThunderBolt Teardown: Removing the microSD card
ntPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
ntCaption by: Bill Detwiler
HTC ThunderBolt Teardown: Removing the case screws
HTC ThunderBolt Teardown: Removing the case screws
ntLuckily, the HTC ThunderBolt use standard Phillips screws inside the case.
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ntPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
ntCaption by: Bill Detwiler
HTC ThunderBolt Teardown: Void sticker
HTC ThunderBolt Teardown: Void sticker
ntOne of the case screws is covered with a “void” sticker.
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ntPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
ntCaption by: Bill Detwiler
HTC ThunderBolt Teardown: Removing the Void sticker
HTC ThunderBolt Teardown: Removing the Void sticker
ntPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
ntCaption by: Bill Detwiler
HTC ThunderBolt Teardown: Loosening the outer cover
HTC ThunderBolt Teardown: Loosening the outer cover
ntUsing a thin metal blade, I released several clips that held the metal outer cover to the display assembly. There are two scrwes still holding the cover in place, so I can’t remove it just yet.
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ntPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
ntCaption by: Bill Detwiler
HTC ThunderBolt Teardown: Popping loose the lower screw cover
HTC ThunderBolt Teardown: Popping loose the lower screw cover
ntA thin piece of plastic covered the last two case screws. Using my thin metal blade, I was able to pop it loose and access the screws.
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ntPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
ntCaption by: Bill Detwiler
HTC ThunderBolt Teardown: Removing the front cover screws
HTC ThunderBolt Teardown: Removing the front cover screws
ntPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
ntCaption by: Bill Detwiler
HTC ThunderBolt Teardown: Lifting the display/main PCB assembly away from the outer cover
HTC ThunderBolt Teardown: Lifting the display/main PCB assembly away from the outer cover
ntWith all the outer cover screws removed, I was able to separate the display/main PCB assembly away from the cover.
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ntPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
ntCaption by: Bill Detwiler
HTC ThunderBolt Teardown: Outer cover and display/main PCB assembly
HTC ThunderBolt Teardown: Outer cover and display/main PCB assembly
ntPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
ntCaption by: Bill Detwiler
HTC ThunderBolt Teardown: Outer cover
HTC ThunderBolt Teardown: Outer cover
ntPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
ntCaption by: Bill Detwiler
HTC ThunderBolt Teardown: Outer cover removed
HTC ThunderBolt Teardown: Outer cover removed
ntPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
ntCaption by: Bill Detwiler
HTC ThunderBolt Teardown: Removing the inner case screws
HTC ThunderBolt Teardown: Removing the inner case screws
ntTwo Phillips screws hold an inner plastic case to the display/main PCB assembly.
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ntPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
ntCaption by: Bill Detwiler
HTC ThunderBolt Teardown: Popping loose the inner case
HTC ThunderBolt Teardown: Popping loose the inner case
ntPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
ntCaption by: Bill Detwiler
HTC ThunderBolt Teardown: Lifting off the inner case
HTC ThunderBolt Teardown: Lifting off the inner case
ntPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
ntCaption by: Bill Detwiler
HTC ThunderBolt Teardown: Display/main PCB assembly and inner cover
HTC ThunderBolt Teardown: Display/main PCB assembly and inner cover
ntPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
ntCaption by: Bill Detwiler
HTC ThunderBolt Teardown: Inner cover
HTC ThunderBolt Teardown: Inner cover
ntPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
ntCaption by: Bill Detwiler
HTC ThunderBolt Teardown: Display/main PCB assembly
HTC ThunderBolt Teardown: Display/main PCB assembly
ntPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
ntCaption by: Bill Detwiler
HTC ThunderBolt Teardown: Control button ribbon cable
HTC ThunderBolt Teardown: Control button ribbon cable
ntBefore separating the HTC ThunderBolt’s display assembly and main PCB, I needed to disconnect this small ribbon cable. It is likely used for the control buttons located along the bottom edge of the screen.
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ntPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
ntCaption by: Bill Detwiler
HTC ThunderBolt Teardown: Control button ribbon cable disconnected
HTC ThunderBolt Teardown: Control button ribbon cable disconnected
ntPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
ntCaption by: Bill Detwiler
HTC ThunderBolt Teardown: Popping loose the main PCB from the display assembly
HTC ThunderBolt Teardown: Popping loose the main PCB from the display assembly
ntPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
ntCaption by: Bill Detwiler
HTC ThunderBolt Teardown: Lifting the main PCB away from the display assembly
HTC ThunderBolt Teardown: Lifting the main PCB away from the display assembly
ntPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
ntCaption by: Bill Detwiler
HTC ThunderBolt Teardown: Display assembly and main PCB
HTC ThunderBolt Teardown: Display assembly and main PCB
ntEven with the control button ribbon cable disconnected, the display assembly is stil connected to the main PCB by two cables. These cables are used for the HTC ThunderBolt’s display screen and digitizer.
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ntPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
ntCaption by: Bill Detwiler
HTC ThunderBolt Teardown: Disconnected display screen and digitizer cables
HTC ThunderBolt Teardown: Disconnected display screen and digitizer cables
ntPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
ntCaption by: Bill Detwiler
HTC ThunderBolt Teardown: Main PCB and display assembly separated
HTC ThunderBolt Teardown: Main PCB and display assembly separated
ntPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
ntCaption by: Bill Detwiler
HTC ThunderBolt Teardown: Display assembly - Back
HTC ThunderBolt Teardown: Display assembly - Back
ntThe HTC ThunderBolt’s digitizer and display screen are held together with strong adhesive. You’ll need a heat gun and a lot of patience to separte them.
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ntAs I want to reassemble this phone in working condition, I’m not going to risk dissecting these components any further.
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ntPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
ntCaption by: Bill Detwiler
HTC ThunderBolt Teardown: Display assembly - Front
HTC ThunderBolt Teardown: Display assembly - Front
ntPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
ntCaption by: Bill Detwiler
HTC ThunderBolt Teardown: Main PCB with EMI shields
HTC ThunderBolt Teardown: Main PCB with EMI shields
ntSeveral EMI shields and pieces of metallic tape cover most of the chips and connectors on the HTC ThunderBolt’s main PCB.
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ntPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
ntCaption by: Bill Detwiler
HTC ThunderBolt Teardown: Metallic tape removed
HTC ThunderBolt Teardown: Metallic tape removed
ntWith the metal tape removed, we can access the connectors for the HTC ThunderBolt’s front- and rear-facing cameras.
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ntPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
ntCaption by: Bill Detwiler
HTC ThunderBolt Teardown: Front-facing camera ribbon cable
HTC ThunderBolt Teardown: Front-facing camera ribbon cable
ntPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
ntCaption by: Bill Detwiler
HTC ThunderBolt Teardown: Front-facing camera removed
HTC ThunderBolt Teardown: Front-facing camera removed
ntPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
ntCaption by: Bill Detwiler
HTC ThunderBolt Teardown: Front-facing camera - Front
HTC ThunderBolt Teardown: Front-facing camera - Front
ntPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
ntCaption by: Bill Detwiler
HTC ThunderBolt Teardown: Front-facing camera - Back
HTC ThunderBolt Teardown: Front-facing camera - Back
ntPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
ntCaption by: Bill Detwiler
HTC ThunderBolt Teardown: Rear-facing camera ribbon cable
HTC ThunderBolt Teardown: Rear-facing camera ribbon cable
ntPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
ntCaption by: Bill Detwiler
HTC ThunderBolt Teardown: Rear-facing camera and dual LED flash
HTC ThunderBolt Teardown: Rear-facing camera and dual LED flash
ntTo the right of the rear-facing camera is the HTC ThunderBolt’s dual LED flash (on the blue PCB).
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ntPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
ntCaption by: Bill Detwiler
HTC ThunderBolt Teardown: Removing the rear-facing camera
HTC ThunderBolt Teardown: Removing the rear-facing camera
ntWith its cable detached from the main PCB, I removed the HTC ThunderBolt’s rear-facing camera with a pair of tweezers.
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ntPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
ntCaption by: Bill Detwiler
HTC ThunderBolt Teardown: Rear-facing camera - Back
HTC ThunderBolt Teardown: Rear-facing camera - Back
ntPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
ntCaption by: Bill Detwiler
HTC ThunderBolt Teardown: Rear-facing camera - Back
HTC ThunderBolt Teardown: Rear-facing camera - Back
ntPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
ntCaption by: Bill Detwiler
HTC ThunderBolt Teardown: Vibration motor
HTC ThunderBolt Teardown: Vibration motor
ntInternal components, such as the vibration motor (shown here), are soldered to the HTC ThunderBolt’s main PCB.
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ntPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
ntCaption by: Bill Detwiler
HTC ThunderBolt Teardown: 3.5mm headphone jack, notification LED, and microphone
HTC ThunderBolt Teardown: 3.5mm headphone jack, notification LED, and microphone
ntThe 3.5mm headphone jack, notification LED, and a small, brass-colored sensor are soldered to the HTC ThunderBolt’s main PCB. The sensor looks nearly identical to the microphone mounted along the bottom edge of the main PCB. I assume this sensor is also a microphone.
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ntPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
ntCaption by: Bill Detwiler
HTC ThunderBolt Teardown: USB power
HTC ThunderBolt Teardown: USB power
ntPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
ntCaption by: Bill Detwiler
HTC ThunderBolt Teardown: Main PCB with EMI shields removed
HTC ThunderBolt Teardown: Main PCB with EMI shields removed
ntPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
ntCaption by: Bill Detwiler
HTC ThunderBolt Teardown: Main PCB - Front
HTC ThunderBolt Teardown: Main PCB - Front
ntPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
ntCaption by: Bill Detwiler
HTC ThunderBolt Teardown: Main PCB - Back
HTC ThunderBolt Teardown: Main PCB - Back
ntPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
ntCaption by: Bill Detwiler
HTC ThunderBolt Teardown: Broadcomm BCM4329EKUBG
HTC ThunderBolt Teardown: Broadcomm BCM4329EKUBG
ntThe HTC ThunderBolt has a Broadcom BCM4329 Low-Power 802.11n with Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR and FM transceiver.
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ntPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
ntCaption by: Bill Detwiler
HTC ThunderBolt Teardown: Qualcomm PM8028
HTC ThunderBolt Teardown: Qualcomm PM8028
ntPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
ntCaption by: Bill Detwiler
HTC ThunderBolt Teardown: Micron 1AC12 NW140 PF3T
HTC ThunderBolt Teardown: Micron 1AC12 NW140 PF3T
ntPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
ntCaption by: Bill Detwiler
HTC ThunderBolt Teardown: Qualcomm’s MDM9600 LTE modem chipset
HTC ThunderBolt Teardown: Qualcomm’s MDM9600 LTE modem chipset
ntPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
ntCaption by: Bill Detwiler
HTC ThunderBolt Teardown: Qualcomm QTR8600 RF subsystem with integrated Bluetooth and FM radio
HTC ThunderBolt Teardown: Qualcomm QTR8600 RF subsystem with integrated Bluetooth and FM radio
ntPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
ntCaption by: Bill Detwiler
HTC ThunderBolt Teardown: Atmel MXT224 touchscreen controller
HTC ThunderBolt Teardown: Atmel MXT224 touchscreen controller
ntPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
ntCaption by: Bill Detwiler
HTC ThunderBolt Teardown: Avago A2FI042 214289
HTC ThunderBolt Teardown: Avago A2FI042 214289
ntPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
ntCaption by: Bill Detwiler
HTC ThunderBolt Teardown: Miscellaneous chips
HTC ThunderBolt Teardown: Miscellaneous chips
ntPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
ntCaption by: Bill Detwiler
HTC ThunderBolt Teardown: TI AIC3254 Very Low-Power Stereo Audio CODEC with miniDSP and Power TuneTM Technology
HTC ThunderBolt Teardown: TI AIC3254 Very Low-Power Stereo Audio CODEC with miniDSP and Power TuneTM Technology
ntPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
ntCaption by: Bill Detwiler
HTC ThunderBolt Teardown: TI TPA2051 Audio Amplifier
HTC ThunderBolt Teardown: TI TPA2051 Audio Amplifier
ntPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
ntCaption by: Bill Detwiler
HTC ThunderBolt Teardown: Samsung K4X6G303PC-7GD8 system memory chip
HTC ThunderBolt Teardown: Samsung K4X6G303PC-7GD8 system memory chip
ntPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
ntCaption by: Bill Detwiler
HTC ThunderBolt Teardown: Qualcomm PM8058 power management IC
HTC ThunderBolt Teardown: Qualcomm PM8058 power management IC
ntPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
ntCaption by: Bill Detwiler
HTC ThunderBolt Teardown: SMSC USB2512B USB 2.0 Hi-Speed Hub Controller
HTC ThunderBolt Teardown: SMSC USB2512B USB 2.0 Hi-Speed Hub Controller
ntPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
ntCaption by: Bill Detwiler
HTC ThunderBolt Teardown: SanDisk SDIN5C2-8G NAND Flash RAM chip
HTC ThunderBolt Teardown: SanDisk SDIN5C2-8G NAND Flash RAM chip
ntPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
ntCaption by: Bill Detwiler
HTC ThunderBolt Teardown: Qualcomm RTR8605
HTC ThunderBolt Teardown: Qualcomm RTR8605
ntPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
ntCaption by: Bill Detwiler
HTC ThunderBolt Teardown: ICs with markings A5002 and A5005
HTC ThunderBolt Teardown: ICs with markings A5002 and A5005
ntPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
ntCaption by: Bill Detwiler
HTC ThunderBolt Teardown: Main PCB markings
HTC ThunderBolt Teardown: Main PCB markings
ntThe markings on this HTC ThunderBolt’s main PCB indicate that it was manufactured sometime around October 28, 2010.
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ntPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
ntCaption by: Bill Detwiler
HTC ThunderBolt Teardown: Completely disassembled
HTC ThunderBolt Teardown: Completely disassembled
ntCracking open the HTC ThunderBolt was tricky but not overly difficult. It uses standard Phillips screws, which are easily accessable. Unfortunately, there’s not much to do inside the case once you get there.
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ntThe ThunderBolt appears to be designed for easily assembly, not repair. Nearly all the internal components are soldered to the main PCB. For all practical purposes, the display/digitizer assembly is a single unit. And components, such as the speakers are actually embedded into the device’s covers.
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ntPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
ntCaption by: Bill Detwiler
