iPhone 5c teardown reveals solid build quality, glued-in components
While iPhone fans have been waiting in line to pick up the 5c in their favorite colors, one tech repair site has been disassembling the polycarbonate-backed iPhone, revealing a sturdy device that loses some points on repairability.
Just as was the case with the iPhone 5s, iFixit has performed the requisite teardown on the lower-cost iPhone 5c. The tech teardown site examined and disassembled a blue 5c model, finding initially that several of the controls and outputs on the device are considerably larger than on the iPhone 5 or 5s. The volume buttons are larger, and the 10-hole microphone grille and 16-hole speaker grille have been replaced with one- and four-hole grilles, respectively.
The 5c also uses Pentalobe screws that are "super tiny" according to iFixit. Upon opening the device, the site found that replacing the battery is held in place with new adhesive strips, as is the case with the 5s. Despite the new adhesive, iFixit believes replacing the battery will involve largely the same process as with the iPhone 5. While the 5c ? a higher-margin replacement for the iPhone 5 ? features mostly the same components as its aluminum-built predecessor, the battery inside the new device has seen improvement. The 5c packs a 3.8V?5.74Wh?1510mAh battery instead of the 3.8V?5.35Wh?1440mAh batter in the iPhone 5.
The battery is not the only glued-in component in the iPhone 5c, though. The antenna connectors are also secured with adhesives. While the use of such a technique regularly draws complaints from sites such as iFixit, Apple has regularly defended the use of adhesives in its products as a means of ensuring their slimness, noting that repairs should be done by Apple-certified professionals.
Inside, the 5c packs the same Apple A6 processor featured in the iPhone 5, a Qualcomm MDM9615M LTE modem, and a Qualcomm WTR1605L LTE/HSPA+/CDMA2K/TDSCDMA/EDGE/GPS transceiver. The back of the logic board features assorted power management, flash, and controller components from Toshiba, Qualcomm, and Broadcom, as well as a Murata Wi-Fi module.
iFixit notes that the display assembly for the iPhone 5s is slightly lighter than that of the iPhone 5c, despite the fact that the 5s sports a fingerprint sensor. The site determined that there is no chance of cross-compatibility in display assemblies between the two devices due to the different FaceTime/speaker connector sizes.
The 5c gets positive marks for build quality, as its steel-backed polycarbonate chassis was resistant to efforts to bend it. In addition to providing structural support, the steel frame nestled inside the plastic shell also serves as an antenna for the device. As a result, though, the iPhone 5c is much heavier than its predecessor, weighing in at 43.8 grams, compared to 25.9 for the 5s.
Overall, the device receives a repairability score of 6 out of a possible 10. iFixit deems the removal processes for the display assembly and battery to be relatively simple, but the device loses points for its glued-in components, which require heat and prying to remove. Also counting against the 5c is Apple's use of Pentalobe screws, which require a special tool to pull out.
Just as was the case with the iPhone 5s, iFixit has performed the requisite teardown on the lower-cost iPhone 5c. The tech teardown site examined and disassembled a blue 5c model, finding initially that several of the controls and outputs on the device are considerably larger than on the iPhone 5 or 5s. The volume buttons are larger, and the 10-hole microphone grille and 16-hole speaker grille have been replaced with one- and four-hole grilles, respectively.
The 5c also uses Pentalobe screws that are "super tiny" according to iFixit. Upon opening the device, the site found that replacing the battery is held in place with new adhesive strips, as is the case with the 5s. Despite the new adhesive, iFixit believes replacing the battery will involve largely the same process as with the iPhone 5. While the 5c ? a higher-margin replacement for the iPhone 5 ? features mostly the same components as its aluminum-built predecessor, the battery inside the new device has seen improvement. The 5c packs a 3.8V?5.74Wh?1510mAh battery instead of the 3.8V?5.35Wh?1440mAh batter in the iPhone 5.
The battery is not the only glued-in component in the iPhone 5c, though. The antenna connectors are also secured with adhesives. While the use of such a technique regularly draws complaints from sites such as iFixit, Apple has regularly defended the use of adhesives in its products as a means of ensuring their slimness, noting that repairs should be done by Apple-certified professionals.
Inside, the 5c packs the same Apple A6 processor featured in the iPhone 5, a Qualcomm MDM9615M LTE modem, and a Qualcomm WTR1605L LTE/HSPA+/CDMA2K/TDSCDMA/EDGE/GPS transceiver. The back of the logic board features assorted power management, flash, and controller components from Toshiba, Qualcomm, and Broadcom, as well as a Murata Wi-Fi module.
iFixit notes that the display assembly for the iPhone 5s is slightly lighter than that of the iPhone 5c, despite the fact that the 5s sports a fingerprint sensor. The site determined that there is no chance of cross-compatibility in display assemblies between the two devices due to the different FaceTime/speaker connector sizes.
The 5c gets positive marks for build quality, as its steel-backed polycarbonate chassis was resistant to efforts to bend it. In addition to providing structural support, the steel frame nestled inside the plastic shell also serves as an antenna for the device. As a result, though, the iPhone 5c is much heavier than its predecessor, weighing in at 43.8 grams, compared to 25.9 for the 5s.
Overall, the device receives a repairability score of 6 out of a possible 10. iFixit deems the removal processes for the display assembly and battery to be relatively simple, but the device loses points for its glued-in components, which require heat and prying to remove. Also counting against the 5c is Apple's use of Pentalobe screws, which require a special tool to pull out.
Comments
You're absolutely certain on these numbers, right¿
They would be better scoring on reliability.
We have two 3GSs, an iPhone 4, a 4s and a 5 in our house. Never had to replace any of the internal components yet. Why bother scoring on repairability?
They would be better scoring on reliability.
It's an old-school mentality that one should be able to crack anything open and fix it without having to bring it in. The problem with that mentality when applied to complex electronics like smartphones is that there is a tradeoff to wanting slim/tiny devices and trying to accommodate the extra logistics to allow for easy repairability. Not going to happen.
I fully agree with you. I've never found the need to open any of my iPhones. They've been reliable to the end. I gave my iPhone4 to my sister when the iP5 came out. That 2010 phone is still as reliable as the day it came out. I couldn't care less about its repairability factor.
I think iFixit is just trying to make a stink about it to sell their tools.
"As a result, though, the iPhone 5c is much heavier than its predecessor, weighing in at 43.8 grams, compared to 25.9 for the 5s." Whoa, they should put a warning label on the 5c page. Those extra 7.9 grams are a killer. But in all seriousness, I'm surprised that it's almost a third heavier.
"As a result, though, the iPhone 5c is much heavier than its predecessor, weighing in at 43.8 grams, compared to 25.9 for the 5s." Whoa, they should put a warning label on the 5c page. Those extra 7.9 grams are a killer. But in all seriousness, I'm surprised that it's almost a third heavier.
It's heavier due to the built-in Redmond Envy Generator. Been known to cause thrown chairs.
It's heavier due to the built-in Redmond Envy Generator. Been known to cause thrown chairs.
"As a result, though, the iPhone 5c is much heavier than its predecessor, weighing in at 43.8 grams, compared to 25.9 for the 5s." Whoa, they should put a warning label on the 5c page. Those extra 7.9 grams are a killer. But in all seriousness, I'm surprised that it's almost a third heavier.
17.9 grams actually. So it's about 70% heavier.
17.9 grams actually. So it's about 70% heavier.
From Apple's website: 5(s) / 5c
Weight: 4.65 ounces (132 grams)
No, the 5 weighs 112 grams, just like the 5S. Which is quite amazing, considering the changes.
But if you try building your own iPad clone or iPhone clone, for any price, you'll be sorely disappointed at the results. No matter how many times you try to convince yourself otherwise by mumbling words like "choice" and "open" to yourself.
Jes' sayin' yo. :-) :-) :-)
I really like ifixit's perky presentation ladies! They certainly give the impression that they're interested in the tech (whether they really are or not I don't know) anyway these ladies are a tech-geek's wet dream! lol
Easy tiger! the keyboard on your mbp is not user replaceable.
From
http://www.apple.com/au/iphone/compare/
iPhone 5s: 112 grams (3.95 ounces)
iPhone 5c: 132 grams (4.65 ounces)
iPhone 4s: 140 grams (4.9 ounces)
Where does AppleInsider get this bull? And how can a phone released on the same day as the 5s have the 5s described as a predecessor?
the iPhone 5c is much heavier than its predecessor, weighing in at 43.8 grams, compared to 25.9 for the 5s.
The iPhone 5c weighs 132 grams.
Just get with the metric system people. There is only upside.
Just get with the metric system people. There is only upside.
I drink my water in gallons, not liters. Sounds like a group of digital age punks.
I'm going to make up a scale called whateverability, and I'm going to ding Apple a few points on that scale. Yeah, I got Apple good. The tech media will willingly spread this if I send out a press release with my "findings."
The iPhone 5c weighs 132 grams.
Just get with the metric system people. There is only upside.
You mean the New World Order conspiracy.