Gallery: Taking apart the iPhone 3G S

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  • The folks at Rapid Repair are at it again. They traveled to the Orange Boutique in Paris to be at the midnight release to buy their iPhone 3G S and be the first to disassemble it. Don't forget, if you try this you will probably void your warranty. It's easier to look at the pictures.

    You can click on any picture to enlarge.

    Credit: Rapid Repair

    Caption by: Andy Smith

  • Got it. One of the first iPhone 3G S models sold.

    Credit: Rapid Repair

    Caption by: Andy Smith

    • Tools required: Small Phillips Screw Driver, Small Flathead, heat gun, exacto razor & Safe Open Tool
    • Repair Toolkit available here.
    Gather all necessary tools and place your iPhone 3G S on a clean, flat surface. Use a soft cloth or towel to place under it.

    Take a look at the back of the iPhone 3G S. It's pretty much the same as the 3G version.

    Credit: Rapid Repair

    Caption by: Andy Smith

  • The iPhone 3G S - before.

    Credit: Rapid Repair

    Caption by: Andy Smith

  • Very similar to the iPhone 3G, the 3G S comes with: earbuds, USB charger, USB Cable, Manual, SIM Opener, and of course the actual iPhone 3G S (16GB Black for this guide).

    Credit: Rapid Repair

    Caption by: Andy Smith

  • Just like before, we need to remove the bottom 2 screws by the dock port. Simply use your small phillips driver to remove them.

    To get the iPhone 3G S LCD Screen lifted, you will need a small suction cup or to poke a paperclip through the screwless holes in a hooked motion.

    A suction cup is key. Don't get too far ahead of yourself. Be very careful when lifting the LCD module. There are several cables attached inside, and if you lift to quickly, you will tear one.

    Credit: Rapid Repair

    Caption by: Andy Smith

  • Lifting up very carefully, you will be able to remove the 3 ribbon cables highlighted in red.

    You can also remove the far left cable at this point. Orange stickers will help you find the cables inside.

    #1 LCD Screen #2 Digitizer #3 Ear Speaker #5 Headphone Jack #6 Wireless

    Note: #3 is hidden under clips #1 & #2.

    This step is fairly straightforward, just pop the cable up with a safe-open case tool or a flathead screwdriver. The LCD screen/Digitizer module should lift right out.

    It's worth noting that we've already identified parts that differ from the iPhone 3G. The LCD screen looks to have a different driver package, and components on the end of the cable have been changed. No word yet if the iPhone 3G LCD is compatible with the new iPhone 3G S and vice versa.

    Credit: Rapid Repair

    Caption by: Andy Smith

  • View of the front half separated from the back panel.

    Still very similar to the original iPhone 3G.

    Credit: Rapid Repair

    Caption by: Andy Smith

  • To free the LCD module from the digitizer frame, there are some side screws (6) that must be removed. See sub pic for screw locations.

    Credit: Rapid Repair

    Caption by: Andy Smith


  • Don't force the LCD out, make sure all the screws have been removed or you will crack the screen.

    Credit: Rapid Repair

    Caption by: Andy Smith

  • Credit: Rapid Repair

    Caption by: Andy Smith

  • We can focus on the system board removal now. 1st remove the screw securing the camera module, then pivot the module out of it's cradle as if the left side was a hinge. While this hangs loose, proceed with removal of the screws.

    To remove the system board, carefully unplug molex connectors #4, #5, #6, & #7 if you have not done so already. There should be (6) screws evenly spaced around it's perimeter.

    Credit: Rapid Repair

    Caption by: Andy Smith

  • iPhone 3G S Warranty Voided. WARRANTY ALERT: You also have to remove the longer screw (screw #7) hiding beneath the warranty sticker. No turning back now!

    Credit: Rapid Repair

    Caption by: Andy Smith

  • Once fully detached, gently pry up the bottom of the board first. Once the board clears, pull the whole thing out and up (towards your chest). Remove the camera molex and it's clear. Battery removal is simple. it's held down with mild adhesive. Take a safe-open case tool and pry it out. The battery is solderless and easily replaceable.

    APN: 616-0434 VPN: APPLE-08-003-01(GG) Li-ion Polymer Battery: 3.7V 4.51Whr

    Looks very similar to the original iPhone 3G battery. We will check compatibility ASAP.

    Credit: Rapid Repair

    Caption by: Andy Smith

  • The battery is removed.

    Credit: Rapid Repair

    Caption by: Andy Smith

  • Removal of the headphone jack is easy. Make sure all the screws have been removed and with a little bit of pressure, you can now remove the headphone jack and button assemblies.

    Dockport can be slipped out with ease, just make sure all of the screws have been removed so you don't have to force it out.

    Some other smaller parts can be removed from the backing now. the vibrator module, GPS antenna, and SIM spring can all be taken out. Most are held in place with mild adhesive.

    Credit: Rapid Repair

    Caption by: Andy Smith

  • Dock removal.

    Credit: Rapid Repair

    Caption by: Andy Smith

  • Credit: Rapid Repair

    Caption by: Andy Smith

  • To remove the iPhone 3G S digitizer, you will need a heat gun. This is a very tough step, please use caution. You will probably remove the digitizer only if it's broken, so please go slow and don't cut your fingers on broken glass.

    Go one step farther and you can remove the ear piece speaker and home button. Careful though, you will have to buy a new digitizer bezel if you remove the home button. The home button is held on with plastic pegs which cannot be replaced.

    Credit: Rapid Repair

    Caption by: Andy Smith

  • Credit: Rapid Repair

    Caption by: Andy Smith

  • Completed!

    View the glorious iPhone 3G S in all it's glory! Stripped down to the bone, we can now reverse these steps to get the phone re-assembled.

    Credit: Rapid Repair

    Caption by: Andy Smith

  • Fully disassembled.

    Credit: Rapid Repair

    Caption by: Andy Smith

  • System board chips and part numbers can be seen below. Please view the comparison guide for more details. this phone is capable of 833MHz and 720p video. This may be a gateway HD media product in the near future.

    iPhone 3G S system board is shown on the left, right board is iPhone 3G.

    CPU - Samsung
    339S0073ARM
    K2132C2P0-50-F
    0N1480911
    APL0298
    N1TVY0Q 0919

    NAND Flash Memory - Toshiba
    TH58NVG702ELA89
    IA8816
    TAIWAN
    09209AE

    System Memory - 337S3754
    CMA
    G0919
    5Y9307885E4

    Infineon - 36MY1EE
    A9177314
    Z171033B

    Credit: Rapid Repair

    Caption by: Andy Smith

  • The iPhone 3G S board

    Credit: Rapid Repair

    Caption by: Andy Smith

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The folks at Rapid Repair are at it again. They traveled to the Orange Boutique in Paris to be the first to disassemble the iPhone 3G S.

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The folks at Rapid Repair are at it again. They traveled to the Orange Boutique in Paris to be at the midnight release to buy their iPhone 3G S and be the first to disassemble it. Don't forget, if you try this you will probably void your warranty. It's easier to look at the pictures.

You can click on any picture to enlarge.

Credit: Rapid Repair

Caption by: Andy Smith

1 of 24

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