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Mobility

HTC ThunderBolt Teardown

By Bill Detwiler May 9, 2011, 6:15 AM PDT on Twitter billdetwiler

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HTC ThunderBolt Teardown

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.

n

ntFollow along as I crack open the HTC ThunderBolt.
nt
ntPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
ntCaption by: Bill Detwiler

HTC ThunderBolt Teardown

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:

n

    nt

  • nttOS: Android 2.2 (Froyo) with HTC Sense UI
  • nt

  • nttProcessor: 1 GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon (QSD8655), Adreno 205 GPU, and MDM9600 chipset for 3G/4G
  • nt

  • nttRAM: 768MB
  • nt

  • nttStorage: 8GB internal, 32GB microSD (pre-installed)
  • nt

  • nttDisplay: 4.3-inch WVGA with 480u00d7800 resolution
  • nt

  • nttBattery: Lithium-ion with 1400 mAh capacity
  • nt

  • nttPorts: microUSB 2.0, 3.5mm audio jack, SIM slot
  • nt

  • nttCamera: 8MP with auto-focus, dual LED flash, HD video capture, 1.3MP front-facing camera
  • nt

  • nttSensors: Accelerometer, A-GPS, digital compass, proximity sensor, ambient light sensor
  • nt

  • nttWireless: Wi-Fi 802.11b/g/n; Bluetooth 2.1 with EDR
  • nt

  • nttTethering: USB + mobile Wi-Fi hotspot
  • n

n

ntPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
ntCaption by: Bill Detwiler

HTC ThunderBolt Teardown

HTC ThunderBolt Teardown: Opening the box

HTC ThunderBolt Teardown: Opening the box

ntPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
ntCaption by: Bill Detwiler

HTC ThunderBolt Teardown

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

HTC ThunderBolt Teardown: Box contents

HTC ThunderBolt Teardown: Box contents

ntPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
ntCaption by: Bill Detwiler

HTC ThunderBolt Teardown

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.
nt
ntPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
ntCaption by: Bill Detwiler

HTC ThunderBolt Teardown

HTC ThunderBolt Teardown: Back

HTC ThunderBolt Teardown: Back

ntPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
ntCaption by: Bill Detwiler

HTC ThunderBolt Teardown

HTC ThunderBolt Teardown: Top

HTC ThunderBolt Teardown: Top

ntPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
ntCaption by: Bill Detwiler

HTC ThunderBolt Teardown

HTC ThunderBolt Teardown: Bottom

HTC ThunderBolt Teardown: Bottom

ntPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
ntCaption by: Bill Detwiler

HTC ThunderBolt Teardown

HTC ThunderBolt Teardown: Left side

HTC ThunderBolt Teardown: Left side

ntPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
ntCaption by: Bill Detwiler

HTC ThunderBolt Teardown

HTC ThunderBolt Teardown: Right side

HTC ThunderBolt Teardown: Right side

ntPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
ntCaption by: Bill Detwiler

HTC ThunderBolt Teardown

HTC ThunderBolt Teardown: Stand

HTC ThunderBolt Teardown: Stand

ntPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
ntCaption by: Bill Detwiler

HTC ThunderBolt Teardown

HTC ThunderBolt Teardown: Stand open

HTC ThunderBolt Teardown: Stand open

ntPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
ntCaption by: Bill Detwiler

HTC ThunderBolt Teardown

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

HTC ThunderBolt Teardown: Back cover removed

HTC ThunderBolt Teardown: Back cover removed

ntPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
ntCaption by: Bill Detwiler

HTC ThunderBolt Teardown

HTC ThunderBolt Teardown: Battery - Back

HTC ThunderBolt Teardown: Battery - Back

ntThe HTC ThunderBolt has a 3.7V Lithium-ion with 1400 mAh capacity battery.

n

ntPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
ntCaption by: Bill Detwiler

HTC ThunderBolt Teardown

HTC ThunderBolt Teardown: Battery - Front

HTC ThunderBolt Teardown: Battery - Front

ntPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
ntCaption by: Bill Detwiler

HTC ThunderBolt Teardown

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

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

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.

n

ntPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
ntCaption by: Bill Detwiler

HTC ThunderBolt Teardown

HTC ThunderBolt Teardown: Void sticker

HTC ThunderBolt Teardown: Void sticker

ntOne of the case screws is covered with a “void” sticker.

n

ntPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
ntCaption by: Bill Detwiler

HTC ThunderBolt Teardown

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

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.

n

ntPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
ntCaption by: Bill Detwiler

HTC ThunderBolt Teardown

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.

n

ntPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
ntCaption by: Bill Detwiler

HTC ThunderBolt Teardown

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

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.

n

ntPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
ntCaption by: Bill Detwiler

HTC ThunderBolt Teardown

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

HTC ThunderBolt Teardown: Outer cover

HTC ThunderBolt Teardown: Outer cover

ntPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
ntCaption by: Bill Detwiler

HTC ThunderBolt Teardown

HTC ThunderBolt Teardown: Outer cover removed

HTC ThunderBolt Teardown: Outer cover removed

ntPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
ntCaption by: Bill Detwiler

HTC ThunderBolt Teardown

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.

n

ntPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
ntCaption by: Bill Detwiler

HTC ThunderBolt Teardown

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

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

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

HTC ThunderBolt Teardown: Inner cover

HTC ThunderBolt Teardown: Inner cover

ntPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
ntCaption by: Bill Detwiler

HTC ThunderBolt Teardown

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

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.

n

ntPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
ntCaption by: Bill Detwiler

HTC ThunderBolt Teardown

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

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

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

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.

n

ntPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
ntCaption by: Bill Detwiler

HTC ThunderBolt Teardown

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

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

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.

n

ntAs I want to reassemble this phone in working condition, I’m not going to risk dissecting these components any further.

n

ntPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
ntCaption by: Bill Detwiler

HTC ThunderBolt Teardown

HTC ThunderBolt Teardown: Display assembly - Front

HTC ThunderBolt Teardown: Display assembly - Front

ntPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
ntCaption by: Bill Detwiler

HTC ThunderBolt Teardown

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.

n

ntPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
ntCaption by: Bill Detwiler

HTC ThunderBolt Teardown

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.

n

ntPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
ntCaption by: Bill Detwiler

HTC ThunderBolt Teardown

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

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

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

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

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

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).

n

ntPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
ntCaption by: Bill Detwiler

HTC ThunderBolt Teardown

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.

n

ntPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
ntCaption by: Bill Detwiler

HTC ThunderBolt Teardown

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

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

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.

n

ntPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
ntCaption by: Bill Detwiler

HTC ThunderBolt Teardown

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.

n

ntPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
ntCaption by: Bill Detwiler

HTC ThunderBolt Teardown

HTC ThunderBolt Teardown: USB power

HTC ThunderBolt Teardown: USB power

ntPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
ntCaption by: Bill Detwiler

HTC ThunderBolt Teardown

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

HTC ThunderBolt Teardown: Main PCB - Front

HTC ThunderBolt Teardown: Main PCB - Front

ntPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
ntCaption by: Bill Detwiler

HTC ThunderBolt Teardown

HTC ThunderBolt Teardown: Main PCB - Back

HTC ThunderBolt Teardown: Main PCB - Back

ntPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
ntCaption by: Bill Detwiler

HTC ThunderBolt Teardown

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.

n

ntPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
ntCaption by: Bill Detwiler

HTC ThunderBolt Teardown

HTC ThunderBolt Teardown: Qualcomm PM8028

HTC ThunderBolt Teardown: Qualcomm PM8028

ntPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
ntCaption by: Bill Detwiler

HTC ThunderBolt Teardown

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

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

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

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

HTC ThunderBolt Teardown: Avago A2FI042 214289

HTC ThunderBolt Teardown: Avago A2FI042 214289

ntPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
ntCaption by: Bill Detwiler

HTC ThunderBolt Teardown

HTC ThunderBolt Teardown: Miscellaneous chips

HTC ThunderBolt Teardown: Miscellaneous chips

ntPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
ntCaption by: Bill Detwiler

HTC ThunderBolt Teardown

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

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

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

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

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

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

HTC ThunderBolt Teardown: Qualcomm RTR8605

HTC ThunderBolt Teardown: Qualcomm RTR8605

ntPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
ntCaption by: Bill Detwiler

HTC ThunderBolt Teardown

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

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.

n

ntPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
ntCaption by: Bill Detwiler

HTC ThunderBolt Teardown

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.

n

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.

n

ntPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
ntCaption by: Bill Detwiler

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Bill Detwiler is the Editor for Technical Content and Ecosystem at Celonis. He is the former Editor in Chief of TechRepublic and previous host of TechRepublic's Dynamic Developer podcast and Cracking Open, CNET and TechRepublic's popular online show.
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