iPhone Air Teardown: Surprisingly Durable and Repairable
▼ Summary
– iFixit conducted a teardown of the new iPhone Air, which features a new design that breaks from Apple’s recent routine.
– The internal layout is unusual, with key components like the logic board clustered at the top of the phone.
– The majority of the phone’s body is occupied by a single, large battery.
– This battery is identical and swappable with the one found in Apple’s iPhone Air MagSafe battery pack.
– The new internal design helps prevent bending issues by placing the rigid logic board at the top and the more resilient battery in the middle.
The latest teardown of the new iPhone Air by iFixit reveals a device that breaks from recent tradition, offering unexpected durability and user-friendly repair features. Moving away from the increasingly sealed designs of its predecessors, this model presents a layout that prioritizes both structural integrity and serviceability. The internal architecture marks a significant shift, clustering critical components like the logic board at the top while dedicating the vast central portion of the chassis to a single, large battery.
This strategic placement of the battery, which occupies about two-thirds of the phone’s interior, directly addresses a known weakness from older, thinner iPhone models. Past issues, often referred to as “Bendgate,” stemmed from the logic board’s vulnerable position in the middle of the device, where it could be damaged under flexing pressure. By relocating the delicate board to the top, a area less susceptible to bending forces, and filling the main body with a more flexible battery, Apple has engineered a more resilient structure. The battery itself is noteworthy for its interchangeability; it is identical to the cell used in Apple’s official MagSafe battery pack, allowing for direct swaps between the phone and the accessory without any complications. This design not only simplifies potential battery replacements but also contributes to a sturdier overall build.
(Source: Ars Technica)
