Home Guides iPhone (1st Generation) iPhone 1st Generation Teardown

iPhone 1st Generation Teardown

The iPhone was taken apart for analysis on June 29, 2007.

Step 1 | iPhone 1st Generation Teardown

Step 1 image
The iPhone, which we have obtained, is currently being transported to the photography studio.
Two iPhones, each with 8 GB of memory, were acquired.
The device is now in your possession.
Estimating the time required to begin offering replacement iPhone components for resale is currently speculative.

Step 2

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To begin, a summary of essential procedures follows.
With dimensions of 4.5 inches by 2.4 inches by 0.5 inches, a single iPhone has a weight of 4.8 ounces, equivalent to 0.3 pounds; to provide scale, the mass of 18 iPhones matches that of a single MacBook Pro.
The screen measures 3.5 inches diagonally and offers a resolution of 480 by 320 pixels, totaling 153,600 pixels—a quantity representing 12% of the pixel count found in a 15-inch MacBook Pro.

Step 3

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Proceed with caution; the next step requires careful manipulation to disengage the component, and the precise method is currently under evaluation.
The iPhone utilizes four distinct wireless communication methods.
The device supports GSM connectivity across four bands—850 MHz, 900 MHz, 1800 MHz, and 1900 MHz—along with 802.11b/g wireless networking, EDGE data transfer, and Bluetooth 2.0 + EDR functionality.

Step 4

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No information is provided.
The iPhone incorporates H.264 video decoding, which is probably implemented using dedicated hardware.
A 2-megapixel camera is also included.
According to an exclusive interview with setteB.IT last March, the camera utilizes an MT9D112D00STC model, internally referred to as K15A or MI-SOC2020.

Step 5

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The device's battery exhibited a partial charge level upon receipt.
This Balda-produced, sizable touchscreen, originating from a German manufacturer, is anticipated to exhibit enhanced durability and scratch resistance compared to previous iPod displays.

Step 6

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Reattach the rear enclosure, ensuring proper alignment with the display assembly and frame.
To access the SIM card, insert a paperclip into the aperture located on the device's top surface; a greater-than-anticipated force may be required to eject the card.
To utilize a SIM card from a different carrier, the phone requires unlocking; otherwise, it is restricted to operation solely on AT&T's network. International use is presently limited to roaming charges associated with a US-based service plan.

Step 7

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The device is now disassembled.Expect some difficulty completing this step.
Begin by detaching the black antenna plate.
Locate the grounding screw affixed to the rear panel; it secures the antenna cable and establishes an electrical connection between the front and back case sections.

Step 8

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Carefully detach the front case from the rear case, ensuring no damage occurs to the retaining screws (M3 x 6mm) or surrounding components; use a Phillips #0 screwdriver as needed.
Before the rear panel can be detached, first disconnect the cable connected to the headphone jack.
Due to the headphone jack's inset position within the device housing, standard 1/8" headphone plugs typically require an adapter for compatibility.
To lessen stress on the small metal connector when headphones are pulled, Apple incorporated a design where the rigid plastic cable sheath bears the brunt of the force.
An integrated microphone is included in the headphone design; a press-and-hold action on the button activates call answering functionality.

Step 9

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The final step has arrived.
Due to its substantial size, the battery is affixed to the logic board via solder connections.
The rear panel provides access to both the SIM card bracket and the headphone jack.

Step 10

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This is a lithium-ion polymer battery with a nominal voltage of 3.7 volts.
Observe that a minimum of two antenna cables are affixed to the logic board.

Step 11

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Carefully detach the two antenna cables.
To ensure a secure connection and prevent potential issues, a small amount of adhesive is applied beneath each antenna connector.
Given Apple's history, particularly lessons learned from the iPod era, exceptional attention to component durability and overall system dependability was clearly prioritized in the design and manufacturing of this device.

Step 12

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Use a Phillips #00 screwdriver to detach the logic board from the front panel by unscrewing the three screws that hold it in place.
Locate the screwdriver.
Locate the black camera module situated in the device's upper right quadrant.
Locate the battery wires, which are soldered connections on the logic board, positioned on the left-hand side.

Step 13

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Carefully detach the top-mounted camera assembly.
Operation requires direct user interaction; no software configuration options are available.

Step 14

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Using a Phillips #00 screwdriver, detach the ten screws circling the device's edge.

Step 15

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This battery is identified by Apple's model number L1S1376APPC, specifically 616-0290.

Step 16

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Carefully raise the logic board to reveal three connectors located on its underside.
  • Carefully handle the component, ensuring no damage occurs, and refer to the parts list for identification.
  • Employ a capacitive sensing method to detect physical contact.
  • Connect the display's data and power lines, ensuring proper alignment and secure fastening to the motherboard using the provided screws (M3 x 6mm) and observing polarity markings to prevent damage.
Detach the pair of connectors located on the left-hand side of the visual reference.

Step 17

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Carefully detach the remaining electrical connector.

Step 18

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To release the dock connector cable, lift the retaining bar.

Step 19

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Carefully examine the logic board, noting its double-layered construction which can obscure visibility of individual components.
Due to the risk of logic board damage, disassembly of the two component sections is not feasible, preventing internal inspection.

Step 20

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The device's internal components, specifically the logic board and battery, have been detached for clearer visibility.

Step 21

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To access the dock connector, detach the antenna cable located on the left side.

Step 22

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Carefully lift the antenna ribbon assembly away from the large black plastic component.
The iPhone’s rear casing features a black lower portion to accommodate the antenna, which spans the entirety of that area.

Step 23

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Carefully detach the antenna to access and remove the black, hollow plastic component located beneath it.
The component contains a void, representing the sole accessible internal volume.
A damaged component, potentially a touchscreen control processor, is sometimes found in the upper right area; it may be identified by the part numbers S6087P1, GN03325, 2076A00R, or 1YFZASB3.

Step 24

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Disassembly of the iPhone is now complete.
This device incorporates roughly sixteen screws for assembly, a significantly greater number than the three used in the iPod Nano.

Step 25

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Careful inspection revealed a method for accessing the logic board's components that avoids irreversible damage.
Locate the Samsung memory chip, identifiable by the part number K9MCGD8U5M, which is concealed by a metal shield on the board's left side. A previous teardown by Think Secret revealed a different chip, K9HBG08U1M, used in the 4 GB variant.
The device incorporates Samsung's memory architecture, featuring an ARM1176JZF processor operating at 620 MHz, potentially within an S3C6400 system. Identifying markings include 339S0030ARM, 8900B 0719, NOD4BZ02, K4X1G153PC-XGC3, and ECC457Q3 716. The processor is probably integrated directly with the SDRAM, which may consist of two 512 Megabit memory components. Hardware acceleration for H.264 video and MP3 audio decoding may be included.
The ARM processor's immediate overhead features a Wolfson audio component, identified by the part numbers WM8758BG and 73AFMN5.
This component, a Linear Technology 4066 USB Power Li-Ion Battery Charger, is located directly below the ARM processor and is also utilized by Apple in various iPod models.

Step 26

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  • Refer to the image; the unmarked chip located centrally on the underside is labeled MARVELL, W8686B13, 702AUUP and represents Marvell's 802.11b/g wireless component, measuring 18.4 square millimeters.

  • The SKY77340, a Skyworks component, functions as the GSM/Edge Power amplifier located on the upper right of the board.

  • Located adjacent to the Skyworks chip is a silver component identified by the markings CSR 41814 3A06U K715FB, which functions as a CSR BlueCore4-ROM, a compact, single-chip radio and baseband integrated circuit designed for Bluetooth 2+EDR applications.

  • According to EETimes, the Infineon M1817A11 chip, identified by part numbers 338S0289 and 8G60710 printed on it, is located under the white sticker visible in the accompanying image.

  • Industry sources suggest the Intel Wireless Flash module, identifiable by its blue dot marking, incorporates a 32 Mb NOR flash memory paired with a 16 Mb SRAM configuration. This component may be identified by part numbers 1030W0YTQ2, 5716A673, or Z717074A; EE Times further specifies the part number PF38F1030W0YTQ2.

  • An unidentified component located in the device's lower-right corner bears the markings "338S 0297 G0719"; while some sources suggest it may be an Apple-manufactured part, its function remains undetermined.

  • The multimedia engine, an Infineon PMB8876 S-Gold 2, is located on the lower left of the board; it is identified by part numbers 337S3235, 60708, and EL629058S03.

We welcome submissions of details regarding iPhone chipsets or internal components; please send them via email for potential anonymous publication.
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