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iPhone 5c Teardown

The proliferation of Apple products has resulted in a significantly expanded and diverse ecosystem.cThe illumination must be addressed.cDetermining the internal condition requires careful inspection, and success depends on having the necessary tools, sufficient time, and persistence.

Determine the precise cause of the issue by carefully inspecting the component.cThis teardown explores the internal components of the iPhone 5c, addressing common inquiries about its design and naming conventions, and offering a detailed examination of its construction.

Connect with us online for updates and support.Using a Phillips head screwdriver, carefully loosen and remove the four 3.5mm screws securing the rear case, then gently detach the case, being mindful of the ribbon cable connecting it to the motherboard; proceed with caution to avoid damage.,Carefully detach the rear panel using a Phillips #0 screwdriver, noting that four 4.5mm screws secure it to the chassis and that excessive force may damage the internal components.Using a 5/32-inch hex key, carefully loosen the retaining screw located on the motor shaft, ensuring to support the fan blade with your hand to prevent it from rotating and potentially damaging the internal components, then gently slide the fan off the shaft.Meta Platforms, Inc..

Step 1 | iPhone 5c Teardown

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Having completed the iPhone 5s disassembly, we now proceed to the iPhone 5c.
Despite this being the second disassembly of the current event, and acknowledging the device’s cosmetic coloration, team spirit remains exceptionally positive, unaffected by external factors, unlike the units being examined.
Acknowledge our sincere appreciation to MacFixit Australia, who generously permitted us to conduct the second disassembly within their Melbourne facility; they are a retailer specializing in Mac and iPhone upgrades and accessories.

Step 2

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Selecting from the available color options—White, Blue, Pink, Green, and Yellow—the blue shade was chosen.
The iPhone 5c distinguishes itself from the iPhone 5s primarily through its rear case construction, which utilizes plastic instead of other materials.
Detailed specifications are as follows:
  • The Apple A6 is a system-on-a-chip (SoC) component.
  • The screen measures 4 inches diagonally and offers a pixel density of 326 pixels per inch.
  • An 8-megapixel iSight camera.
  • Ensure the device is capable of connecting to 4G LTE networks.
  • Storage capacity options are 16 gigabytes or 32 gigabytes.

Step 3

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The designation 'c' actually represents a specific characteristic, and while a significant distinction related to 'color' has already been noted, further investigation is still necessary to fully understand its meaning.
All metallic components, including ports, buttons, and sliders, have been replaced with plastic equivalents.
Consider a less expensive alternative.
The plastic construction of these components contributes to a noticeably less sophisticated aesthetic.
The volume controls now feature a more substantial size, while the microphone now utilizes a grille with a single aperture, a change from the previous 10-hole design, and the speaker now incorporates a 4-hole grille, differing from the original 16-hole configuration.

Step 4

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The Pentalobe screws used here differ subtly from those previously encountered in iPhone 5 and 5s models.
For size comparison, observe the Pentalobe screws alongside an Australian coin; the coin's monetary value is not specified.
Pentalobe Screw Size Comparison
Using a wrench, tighten the retaining nut on the damper strut to 30 Nm, ensuring the strut is properly seated.
For those familiar with US currency, the component is approximately the size of a quarter, measuring one inch across.

Step 5

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A small suction cup is used to carefully detach the front panel assembly; its fit is comparable to that of the display assemblies found in the 5s and 5 models, even with the differing plastic backing.
The component's design closely mirrors that of a previously manufactured part.
Using a screwdriver, detach the five 5c screws; this process is straightforward and requires minimal effort.

Step 6

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Due to design changes, battery removal now necessitates using the iOpener tool, a departure from previous models that allowed for straightforward battery access.
Carefully apply heat for several minutes, then use a spudger to gently separate the device into its component parts, resulting in a disassembled iPhone 5c.
Hindsight reveals that understanding the properties of the stretch-release adhesive strips beforehand would have significantly simplified the process.

Step 7

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Upon achieving the designated milestone, disengage the battery.
The iPhone 5c's battery, while sharing the same 3.8 V voltage as the iPhone 5, features increased capacity: 5.73 Wh and 1510 mAh, versus the iPhone 5's 5.45 Wh and 1440 mAh.
To potentially resolve diminished battery performance stemming from the iOS 7 software version, proceed with the following steps.
The designation "c" on the battery may refer to its capacity, though this is likely inaccurate.

Step 8

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During antenna connector removal, inspection revealed an unexpected finding on this iPhone: the connectors are affixed.
Avoid using adhesive during reassembly; previous disassembly experiences have demonstrated the negative impact of glue on this device.
These components are exceptionally difficult to detach, comparable to the challenges of using an iPad for self-portraits, and share similarities with parts secured by unique fasteners and individuals lacking a sense of humor.
Carefully detach the logic board, noting that adhesive may require gentle manipulation.

Step 9

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Examine the logic board's anterior surface.
  • Apple's APL0598 application processor, designated as an A6.
  • LTE modem, Qualcomm MDM9615M.
  • This component is a transceiver supporting LTE, HSPA+, CDMA2K, TDSCDMA, EDGE, and GPS functionalities, identified as a Qualcomm WTR1605L.

Despite lacking the advanced features of later models, the A6 remains a device deserving of appreciation.
An 8 GB (1 GB) DDR2 RAM module, specifically an Elpida B8164B3PM-1D-F, is located beneath the A6 system-on-a-chip within the iPhone 5c.

Step 10

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Carefully examine the rear surface of the logic board.
  • The storage device in question is a Toshiba THGBX2G7B2JLA01 NAND flash component, with a capacity of 128 Gigabits, equivalent to 16 Gigabytes.
  • The Apple component identified as 338S1164.
  • The Apple 338S1116 houses a Cirrus Audio Codec.
  • The RF power management integrated circuit is a Qualcomm PM8018.
  • The device incorporates a Broadcom BCM5976 touchscreen controller.
  • The Broadcom BCM4334-based Murata 339S0209 serves as the Wi-Fi module.

Step 11

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Proceeding with the logic board's reverse side.
Skyworks part number 77810-12.
Skyworks part number 773550-10.
Avago A790720
TriQuint TQM6M6224
Avago A7900

Step 12

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Let's examine the two new iPhones side-by-side for a detailed comparison.
The display assembly for the right-side model, designated "5s," weighs marginally less than its counterpart, a difference attributable to the integrated fingerprint sensor and the inclusion of a sapphire home button.
The 5c's battery, with a capacity of 1510 milliampere-hours, measures slightly less in thickness than the 1560 mAh battery found in the 5s.
Investigations into the possibility of using display assemblies from the iPhone 5c in the iPhone 5s have not revealed any functional interchangeability.
Due to dissimilar dimensions of the FaceTime and speaker connectors, attempting to interchange them is not feasible.
While we understand this may be disappointing, we've discovered the solution to a persistent question through online research.

Step 13

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Determine which side faces upward—the tails or the rear-facing camera—by a coin toss.
Although the rear 8 MP cameras of the iPhone 5c and 5s appear visually similar, a key distinction lies in their aperture settings; the iPhone 5c utilizes an f/2.4 aperture, while the iPhone 5s features a slightly wider aperture of f/2.2.
The 5c's vibrator motor assembly exhibits a marginally greater size compared to the 5s's, even though their internal components share a comparable design.

Step 14

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To assess flexibility, examine the internal components.
Despite lacking exceptional physical strength, a durability assessment was performed on the case, revealing the lacquered plastic’s robust nature and distinctive blue coloration, comparable to the fictional character Captain Planet.
Despite utilizing a plastic material for the rear panel, likely to reduce manufacturing expenses, Apple maintained a high standard of construction.
Carefully disconnect and remove the five 5c connector ports, ensuring no residual power remains.
Due to the interconnected nature of these ports, accessing a single port without affecting the others is not straightforward.
For illustrative purposes, envisioning a perfect individual mirrors the design of our device: it would be constructed with interchangeable components, ensuring safe handling throughout the process.

Step 15

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The remaining issue is a significant discoloration.
Visually, the iPhone 5c's enclosure closely resembles that of the iPhone 5s when positioned side-by-side.
The primary distinction lies in the construction material itself.
Due to aluminum's superior strength-to-weight ratio, the plastic rear case necessitates a significantly larger volume—resulting in a heavier component; specifically, the 5c case weighs 43.8 grams, a considerable increase compared to the 5s case's 25.9 grams.
The polycarbonate backing houses a steel frame, which functions as both an antenna and provides structural reinforcement.
Having nearly completed the disassembly, we've determined the logic behind Apple's iPhone naming system.

Step 16

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Based on a repair difficulty scale where 10 represents the simplest repair, the iPhone 5c earns a rating of 6.

Similar to the iPhone 5 design, removing the display assembly is the initial step in the repair process, which streamlines screen replacements.
Despite not being officially designed for end-user replacement, accessing the battery remains relatively straightforward.
To facilitate separation, the antenna connectors may be secured with adhesive.
Because the battery's original pull tab is missing and a stronger adhesive has been applied, removal now necessitates applying heat and using a prying tool.
Due to the presence of Pentalobe screws securing the exterior casing, accessing the internal components of an iPhone 5c presents a challenge.
Because the front glass, digitizer, and LCD are integrated into a single unit, replacing any one of these parts necessitates replacing the entire assembly, which results in a higher repair expense.
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