Apple iPod Shuffle 4th Generation Teardown

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    In September 2010, Apple unveiled the 4th generation iPod Shuffle. The music player has the basic design of the 2nd generation iPod Shuffle, with the large control pad and postage stamp shape.

    Unlike most of the computers, smartphones, and gadgets I disassemble, the iPod Shuffle isn't designed to be taken apart and put back together. And with a price of just $49 (US), most people will opt to simply replace a damaged Shuffle instead of repairing it. But, that doesn't mean it can't, or shouldn't be done.

    If you do decide to disassemble the iPod Shuffle, you'll need a Phillips #00 or #000 screwdriver and a thin metal blade or plastic spudger.

    Photo credit: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic

    Caption by: Bill Detwiler

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    According to Apple, the 4th generation iPod Shuffle's packaging is 60 percent smaller and 53 percent lighter than the packaging using on previous models.

    Photo credit: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic

    Caption by: Bill Detwiler

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    As the packing indicates, this is a 2GB iPod Shuffle--the only size Apple offers.

    Photo credit: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic

    Caption by: Bill Detwiler

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    As of this writing, Apple offers the iPod Shuffle in five colors--silver, blue, green, orange, and pink.

    Photo credit: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic

    Caption by: Bill Detwiler

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    Below the iPod Shuffle are the product documentation, headphones, and USB cable.

    Photo credit: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic

    Caption by: Bill Detwiler

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    Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic

    Caption by: Bill Detwiler

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    The 4th generation iPod Shuffle is 1.14 inches tall, 1.24 inches wide, 0.34 inches deep, and weighs 0.44 ounces. The large control pad dominates the front of the device.

    Photo credit: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic

    Caption by: Bill Detwiler

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    Like the 2nd and 3rd generation iPod Shuffles, the 4th generation device has a clip on the back.

    Photo credit: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic

    Caption by: Bill Detwiler

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    Along the top of the 4th generation iPod Shuffle are the 3.5mm headphone jack, VoiceOver button, and play-order/power switch.

    Photo credit: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic

    Caption by: Bill Detwiler

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    There's nothing on the bottom of the 4th generation iPod Shuffle.

    Photo credit: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic

    Caption by: Bill Detwiler

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    The 4th generation iPod Shuffle's case has two parts--a larger front enclosure and a rear panel. The clip is attached to the rear panel.

    Holding the clip in the open position, you can see where the edges of the rear panel meet the front enclosure. The joint between the two case sections is extremely tight. To remove the rear panel, I pulled up on the open end of the clip until I formed a small gap between the two sections. I then inserted a thin metal blade and pried the panel free.

    The rear panel is held in place with tabs that run along the left and right sides, as well as adhesive. You may bend the panel slightly during removal, but you should be able to pull it free without breaking it.

    Photo credit: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic

    Caption by: Bill Detwiler

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    With one side of the panel free, you should be able to separate it from the front case enclosure. A very thin rubber gasket sits under the rear panel. Take care not to rip the gasket when removing the panel.

    Photo credit: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic

    Caption by: Bill Detwiler

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    With the rear panel removed, we get our first look inside the 4th generation iPod Shuffle.

    Photo credit: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic

    Caption by: Bill Detwiler

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    Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic

    Caption by: Bill Detwiler

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    The iPod Shuffle's clip and hinge are attached to the rear panel with four screws.

    Photo credit: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic

    Caption by: Bill Detwiler

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    Taking up roughly half the space inside the 4th generation iPod Shuffle is the 3.7V, 0.19Whr Li-ion battery. The black, rubber gasket still covers the back of the logic board.

    Photo credit: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic

    Caption by: Bill Detwiler

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    You should be able to lift the gasket away from the iPod Shuffle without tearing it. With the gasket removed, we can see the underside of the logic board.

    Photo credit: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic

    Caption by: Bill Detwiler

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    Unfortunately, Apple soldered the iPod Shuffle's battery to the logic board. You won't be replacing this battery without getting out your soldering iron.

    Photo credit: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic

    Caption by: Bill Detwiler

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    The iPod Shuffle's logic board is held in place with a single Phillips #00 screw. You'll also need to disconnect the small ribbon cable for the control pad.

    Photo credit: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic

    Caption by: Bill Detwiler

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    Removing the battery reveals a portion of the metal plate that serves as a backing for the control pad's internal contacts. One of the screws that holds this plate in place is also visible. You can remove the screw now or leave it in place and remove it later. I choose to remove it now.

    Photo credit: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic

    Caption by: Bill Detwiler

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    A small, plastic spacer holds the logic board against the top of the front case enclosure. You should be able to pop it free with a small pointed instrument, such as the metal blade shown here.

    Photo credit: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic

    Caption by: Bill Detwiler

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    With the spacer removed, you can slide the logic board and attached headphone jack down past the top lip of the case.

    Photo credit: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic

    Caption by: Bill Detwiler

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    You should now be able to gently lift the logic board away from the case.

    Photo credit: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic

    Caption by: Bill Detwiler

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    With the logic board and battery removed, we can see a metal plate, which serves as a base for the Control pad contacts. It's held in place with four Phillips #00 screws--one of which I removed earlier.

    Photo credit: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic

    Caption by: Bill Detwiler

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    We'll need to remove the three remaining screws before lifting the control pad contact plate away from the case.

    Photo credit: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic

    Caption by: Bill Detwiler

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    One of the screws is hidden behind this small cushion.

    Photo credit: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic

    Caption by: Bill Detwiler

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    With all four screws removed, we can lift the control pad contact plate away from the case.

    Photo credit: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic

    Caption by: Bill Detwiler

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    With the control pad contact plate removed, we can see the back of the control pad.

    Photo credit: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic

    Caption by: Bill Detwiler

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    Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic

    Caption by: Bill Detwiler

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    The actual contacts for the iPod Shuffle's control pad are attached to this metal plate.

    Photo credit: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic

    Caption by: Bill Detwiler

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    The iPod Shuffle's control pad should pop free with a gentle push.

    Photo credit: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic

    Caption by: Bill Detwiler

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    Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic

    Caption by: Bill Detwiler

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    Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic

    Caption by: Bill Detwiler

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    At this point, there's nothing left in the iPod Suffle's case but the play-order/power switch.

    Photo credit: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic

    Caption by: Bill Detwiler

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    Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic

    Caption by: Bill Detwiler

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    Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic

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    Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic

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    The large ship on the front of the logic board is covered with a sticker.

    Photo credit: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic

    Caption by: Bill Detwiler

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    The iPod Shuffle's main chip has the following markings:

    339S0128
    K9GA608U0E-BCB0 / FDEG21QV 1028
    8443 ARM
    N2N3XNP2 1031

    Photo credit: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic

    Caption by: Bill Detwiler

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    With its hard-to-open case and soldered battery, the 4th generation iPod Shuffle wasn't really designed to be serviced--especially not by the average user. I wouldn't recommend cracking open your Shuffle unless you're prepared to possibly break the device.

    Photo credit: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic

    Caption by: Bill Detwiler

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As the packing indicates, this is a 2GB iPod Shuffle--the only size Apple offers.

Photo credit: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic

Caption by: Bill Detwiler

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