First teardowns of iPhone 12 mini, iPhone 12 Pro Max surface online

Posted:
in General Discussion edited November 2020
As orders of the iPhone 12 mini and iPhone 12 Pro Max begin to arrive on customer doorsteps, some early teardown videos have begun to surface.

Credit: Kaputt
Credit: Kaputt


German repair company Kaputt, for example, has released its initial teardowns of both models on YouTube, revealing few major differences but a couple of interesting tidbits about the internal design and components of the iPhone 12 mini and iPhone 12 Pro Max.

As the teardown reveals, the iPhone 12 Pro Max retains an L-shaped battery design. That's something Apple changed on its other iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro models, including the iPhone 12 mini.





As far as the rest of the internals, they appear to be fairly consistent with the iPhone 12 Pro, which iFixit disassembled in late October.

The iPhone 12 mini, on a similar note, shares much of its internal configuration with the iPhone 12. The major revelation in the teardown for this device is that the iPhone 12 mini uses a much smaller battery due to its size.





The two clips don't feature in-depth analysis of the components and the differences between the two models arriving on Friday and the previous two iPhone 12 devices. With a casual glance, some of the biggest differences could simply be attributed to size.

Separately, iFixit conducted a live teardown of iPhone 12 Pro Max, taking a close look at each component as it was extracted from the handset. While a comprehensive breakdown of parts was not included in the airing, presenters did point out notable technologies like the wide angle camera's sensor shift stabilization.





The repair specialist is also in the process of tearing down iPhone 12 mini. So far, interesting components include a small Taptic Engine and an 8.57 Wh battery. A full report is expected in the coming days.

Of course, it's still early in the release cycle of the iPhone 12 mini and iPhone 12 Pro Max, so expect more detailed teardowns to follow in the days to come.

Previous teardowns of the iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro found that Apple made a lot of compromises to fit 5G compatibility in its 2020 devices, including on the battery and logic board. They found that iPhone 12 camera modules can't be replaced or repaired by third-party technicians.

Updated with iFixit's live iPhone 12 Pro Max teardown and part one of its comprehensive iPhone 12 mini disassembly.

Update, Nov. 14: iFixit has completed its iPhone 12 mini teardown, revealing a stuffed chassis that includes the aforementioned Taptic Engine, a tightly packed stacked logic board, wireless charging coils, a smaller speaker and more. Notably, the new iPhone could boast a new, miniaturized ambient light sensor design similar to the module found in iPhone 12.



Comments

  • Reply 1 of 5
    bluefire1bluefire1 Posts: 1,302member
    Unfortunately, my iPhone 12 Pro Max, which all week long (including most of today) had a delivery dare of today, has now been rescheduled for Monday delivery. This really sucks, especially since you can’t pick up an Apple product at any UPS hub because of fraud concerns. Apple should arrange for Thursday delivery so if there’s a problem, we can still get our phones the next day instead of waiting until after 
    the weekend. 
    watto_cobra
  • Reply 2 of 5
    bluefire1 said:
    Unfortunately, my iPhone 12 Pro Max, which all week long (including most of today) had a delivery dare of today, has now been rescheduled for Monday delivery. This really sucks, especially since you can’t pick up an Apple product at any UPS hub because of fraud concerns. Apple should arrange for Thursday delivery so if there’s a problem, we can still get our phones the next day instead of waiting until after 
    the weekend. 
    I just got home after they (UPS) didn't leave it at my doorstep.  I picked it up at the UPS place in Charleston, SC with my ID and the tracking number.  They UPS crew were friendly and knew we were there for iPhones.  Must be a regional thing, but I agree with you on the Thursday delivery.  Friday UPS delivery with signature required is a recipe for a bad out of box experience.
    johnb0529bluefire1watto_cobra
  • Reply 3 of 5
    bluefire1 said:
    Unfortunately, my iPhone 12 Pro Max, which all week long (including most of today) had a delivery dare of today, has now been rescheduled for Monday delivery. This really sucks, especially since you can’t pick up an Apple product at any UPS hub because of fraud concerns. Apple should arrange for Thursday delivery so if there’s a problem, we can still get our phones the next day instead of waiting until after 
    the weekend. 
    I am standing in my driveway, waiting for UPS for that very reason!  Most packages they toss over our front wall, guessing security won’t let them...and they are known to not try to hard to reach you inside!   There is no way I want her going to the UPS depot for the weekend!
    watto_cobra
  • Reply 4 of 5
    F_Kent_DF_Kent_D Posts: 98unconfirmed, member
    First world problems are a real beeatch aren’t they. Lol. Got my PB iP12 last month and love it. Didn’t even have to wait for UPS to throw it over a concrete fence. I consider myself lucky.
    lkruppwatto_cobra
  • Reply 5 of 5
    lkrupplkrupp Posts: 10,557member
    F_Kent_D said:
    First world problems are a real beeatch aren’t they. Lol. Got my PB iP12 last month and love it. Didn’t even have to wait for UPS to throw it over a concrete fence. I consider myself lucky.
    Patience is not a virtue in the first world. I want it and I want it NOW! They sound like three year olds throwing a tantrum because their mothers didn’t change their diapers quickly enough.
    pulseimagesrotateleftbytewatto_cobra
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