Cracking open the Verizon iPhone 4
After four years of being exclusive to AT&T (in the US), the Apple iPhone is now available on Verizon. And like the original iPhone 4, we couldn't wait to get our hands on the Verizon model and crack it open. Follow along as we take a peak at the hardware inside Apple's CDMA iPhone 4 for Verizon.
Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
Caption by: Bill Detwiler
Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
Caption by: Bill Detwiler
Box
There's nothing on the front of the box to tell you that this is a Verizon iPhone 4.
Opening the Verizon iPhone 4 box
Opening the box, we find the Verizon iPhone 4.
Verizon iPhone 4 Box contents
As with the original iPhone 4, inside the Verizon iPhone 4's box are the device, headphones, AC power adapter, 30-pin connector cable, and product documentation.
Verizon and AT&T iPhone 4s - Front
The Verizon iPhone 4 is on the left and the AT&T iPhone 4 is on the right. From the front, I can't tell the difference. Can you?
Verizon and AT&T iPhone 4s - Back
From the back, you can tell the Verizon iPhone 4 (left) from the AT&T iPhone 4 (right) by looking at the model number--A1349 for the Verizon device and A1322 for the AT&T phone.
Verizon and AT&T iPhone 4s - Left side
Looking at the left edges of each device, we can see another external difference--the antenna design. The iPhone 4's metal frame also serves as the phone's antenna. The Verizon iPhone 4 (top) has a slightly different antenna configuration. Notice the black space to the right of the Verizon device's vibrate toggle switch.
Verizon and AT&T iPhone 4s - Right side
Looking at the right edge of each phone, you'll also notice the absense of a SIM card slot on the Verizon iPhone 4 (top).
Verizon and AT&T iPhone 4s - Top
Now that we've looked at the external differences, let's get down to cracking the Verizon iPhone 4 open.
External case screws
The Verizon iPhone 4 uses two five-point "Pentalobe" screws. Apple began using similar screws in 2009 on the MacBook Pro and in 2010 on the MacBook Air. In January, our friends over at iFixit reported that Apple is using these screws on all new iPhone 4s and even swapping out the original Phillips #00 screws if you bring your phone into an Apple store for a repair.
In the past, I've used a narrow flathead screw driver to remove these. If you want a more reliable tool, iFixit sells acustom-built iPhone 4 screwdriver.
Removing the external case screws
Sliding up the back cover
Once the external case screws are removed, you can slide the back cover up and lift it away from the case.
Back cover
Back cover screws tabs
First look inside
With the back cover removed, we get our first look inside the Verizon iPhone 4. At first glance, it looks nearly identical to the AT&T iPhone 4.
Verizon iPhone 4 internal layout
As with the AT&T model, the battery takes up much of the space inside the Verizon iPhone 4's case. The main PCB wraps around the battery.
AT&T iPhone 4 - Inside
For comparison, here's a photo of the AT&T iPhone 4 from our, "Cracking Open the Apple iPhone 4," gallery.
Internal - Top
At the top of the Verizon iPhone 4, there is a black metal shield covering part of the main PCB and several connectors. Five screws hold the shield in place. As the next phone shows, there's a similar shield on the AT&T version of the iPhone 4, but it has a different shape.
AT&T iPhone 4 - Internal top
Here's the upper-PCB shield on the AT&T iPhone 4. Notice that it has a very different shape than the shield on the Verizon version.
Internal - Bottom
At the bottom of the iPhone 4 are the speaker assembly, redesigned vibration motor, and the 30-pin connector.
The first step in dissecting the Verison iPhone 4 is removing the battery. The battery connector is held in place with a single Phillips #00 screw.
Disconnecting the battery
With the screw removed, you can decouple the battery connector.
Removing the battery
With the battery disconnected, you can lift it away from the Verizon iPhone 4's metal frame. A small bit of adhesive holds the battery to the frame, but you should be able to pull the battery away without damaging it or the frame.
Battery removed
Battery - Front
Like the AT&T iPhone 4, the Verison model uses a 3.7V, 5.25Whr Li-ion battery.
Battery - Back
Battery removed
With the battery removed, we'll turn our attention to the metal shield that covers the top of the main PCB.
Main PCB metal shield removed
As on the AT&T iPhone 4, the metal shield on the main PCB covers several connectors.
Removing the main PCB connectors
Using a thin metal or plastic blade, you can disconnect the connectors.
More connectors
Removing more internal screws
While we're working at the top of the main PCB, we might as well remove the other Phillips #00 screws in this area.
Removing the camera
With all the ribbon cables disconnected, we can now remove the camera.
Camera removed
Camera - Front
Like the AT&T iPhone 4, the Verizon model's rear-facing 5 MP camera allows you to shoot 720p video at 30 FPS and features an LED flash.
Camera - Rear
Removing more internal screws
A black metal cover is mounted over the connector for a large ribbon cable that runs along the main PCB. Two screws hold the cover in place. We'll need to remove both.
Metal cover removed
Popping loose the internal ribbon cable
Once the cover is removed, you can pop loose the connector.
Dislodging the ribbon cable
The ribbon cable is attached to one of the main PCB's metal shields with a small bit of adhesive.
Removing the speaker assembly screw
Next, we'll remove the Phillips #00 screw that holds the speaker assembly to the frame.
Remvoing the metal ground
Before we can remove the speaker assembly, we need to disconnect the Wi-Fi antenna cable that is attached to it. To disconnect the antenna from the main PCB, you'll need to remove a thin metal piece, which acts as a ground when the back cover is in place. The metal ground is held in place with a single Phillips #00 screw.
Disconnecting the Wi-Fi antenna cable
With the metal ground removed, you can disconnect the Wi-Fi antenna wire from the main PCB.
Removing the speaker assembly
Finally, you can lift the speaker assembly away from the frame.
Speaker assembly removed
Speaker assembly - Top
Speaker assembly - Bottom
Verizon iPhone 4 Wi-Fi Antenna
Ready to remove the Verizon iPhone 4 main PCB
With the speaker assembly removed, we are ready to remove the Verizon iPhone 4's main PCB.
Removing Verizon iPhone 4 main PCB screws
Several Phillips #00 screws hold the Verizon iPhone 4's main PCB to the metal frame beneath.
Disconnecting the last few connectors
Before we can remove the main PCB from the Verizon iPhone 4, we need to make sure all the connectors have been disconnected.
Removing the Verizon iPhone 4 main PCB
With all the screws removed and connectors decoupled, you can left the main PCB away from the Verizon iPhone 4's metal frame.
Verizon iPhone 4 with main PCB removed
Verizon iPhone 4 main PCB - Top
Two metal shields cover the chips on the top of the Verizon iPhone 4's main PCB. We'll need to remove them to see the chips underneath.
Verizon iPhone 4 main PCB - Bottom
Several metal shields also cover the chips on the underside of the Verizon iPhone 4's main PCB.
Verizon iPhone 4 main PCB - Top with shields removed
After removing the two metal shields from the main PCB, we can see several of the chips underneath. Including the large A4 processor.
AT&T iPhone 4 main PCB - Front
This photo shows the top of the AT&T iPhone 4's main PCB. Although the general shape and some of the chips are the same, it's a completely different boarb from the Verizon iPhone.
Verizon iPhone 4 main PCB - Bottom with shields removed
After removing the metal sheild from the underside of the main PCB, we can see a few of the chips beneath. One of the metal shields is soldered to the board, and I left it in place. I want to reassemble this phone in working condition.
AT&T iPhone 4 main PCB - Back
This photo shows the back of the AT&T iPhone 4's main PCB.
Qualcomm MDM6600
Qualcomm MDM6600
Toshiba Y890A111222KA
Toshiba Y890A111222KA
Black shield hides unknown chip
I'm unsure what's beneath this black shield. I feared removing it would damage the components underneath.
According the guys and gals over at iFixit, it's likely that the chip under this shield provide the Verizon iPhone 4's Wi-Fi and Bluetooth functionality.
Apple A4 Processor
Apple A4 Processor
Apple branded 338S0589 B0 chip
Apple branded 338S0589 B0 chip
Apple branded 338S0876-A5
Apple branded 338S0876-A5
Qualcomm PM8028
Qualcomm PM8028
Skyworks (SKY77711-4 and SKY77710-4) Power amplifiers
Skyworks (SKY77711-4 and SKY77710-4) Power amplifiers
Avago A2F1045 136574
Avago A2F1045 136574
Chip with markings 2050 33DH YBU DO
Chip with markings 2050 33DH YBU DO
Chips with marking AGD8 2050 Y9XB6
Chips with marking AGD8 2050 Y9XB6
Ready to remove the display assembly
Removing the display assembly screws
Several Phillips #00 screws along the side of the metal frame hold the mounting brackets for the display assembly in place. You just need to loosen, not remove, these screws.
Display assembly screw hidden behind vibration motor
One of the side screws for the display assembly is located behind the redesigned vibration motor. The motor is attached to the metal frame with very sticky adhesive. I decided not to completely remove the motor, but instead to gently push it to the side--just enough to reach the screw.
Removing the screw behind the vibration motor
I was able to move the vibration motor just enough to reach the screw behind it.
Display assembly corner screws
There's one screw in each corner of the display assembly.
Removing the display assembly
With all the screws removed, you can lift the display assembly away from the metal frame. A small patch of adhesive located near the headphone jack will give you a bit of resistence, but isn't too difficult to work through.
Display assembly and metal frame
Display assembly - Back
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