iFixit tears open Apple's new iPad: What's inside?

 

EditStep 1 — iPad 3 4G Teardown

• Luke flew to the Telstra store in Melbourne, Australia and was first in line to get the iPad 3 for our deconstructive pleasure.

• A big thanks to Macfixit Australia for letting us use their facility for the teardown!

• Tech Specs:

  • Dual-core Apple A5X processor

  • 9.7 inch LCD backlit in-plane switching LED with 2048×1536 pixel Retina display

  • Quad-core graphics processor

  • 16, 32, or 64 GB flash memory

  • 5 MP HD rear-facing camera

 

EditStep 2 

• It's go time! What does an iFixit teardown expert need to dismember the newest iPad at midnight on the other side of the world?

  • Answer: A Pro Tech Base Toolkit, some good ol' Red Bull, and—of course—the iPad 3.

• Despite our office being in the United States, and the iPad 3 being debuted in Australia, we are fairly confident that it will still work.

• If you want to follow along on your own iPad, ournative iOS app is a great way to go.

 

EditStep 3 

• We spoke too soon. It appears that 4G LTE on the iPad 3 does not actually work in the land of Oz.

• Uh-oh, which iPad is this? iPad 2 3G? iPad 3 4G? iPad N (N+1)G?

  • Luckily for everybody, the model number is unique, unlike some of Apple's other products. The model number is A1430.

 

EditStep 4 

• So this is what the rear panel of a new "new iPad" looks like. Do you know what it sort of reminds us of?

• The 5 MP iSight rear-facing camera boasts autofocus, face detection, 1080p HD video recording, and video stabilization. Definitely a great improvement over last year's weak 0.7 MP rear-facing camera.

• The 2048×1536 pixel Retina display doesn't do much to amaze us once we turn the iPad off, but we didn't fly halfway across the world just to play Punch a Hipster.

 

EditStep 5 

• Some heat, guitar picks, and a plastic opening toolmake quick arduous work of removing budging the front panel.

 

EditStep 6 

• Just like its predecessor, the new iPad is very difficult to disassemble. Adhesive secures the glass to the case, making common repairs and battery replacement difficult.

• Apple is estimated to ship 1 million units on launch day, and the environmental impact of this unfortunate design choice will be significant.

• We've written extensively about the problems with Apple's difficult-to-repair iPad design over oniFixit.org:

  • Ever Broken a Textbook Beyond Repair? Now, with iBooks, You Can!

  • Yes, the iPad is Repairable—But Just Barely.

 

EditStep 7 

• A heavy-duty display should only be removed withheavy-duty suction cups.

• The first legitimately-purchased, legitimately-owned iPad 3 is now also the first legitimately-opened iPad ... in the world.

• Apparently, the new iPad has a face, and it's not happy. Look familiar?

 

EditStep 8 

• And now, a message from our sponsor: us!

• We don't just make awesome teardowns—we sellparts. And tools! Lots and lots of tools.

• Like this handy-dandy electronics tool kit that we used to take apart the new iPad. You know you want one. Just $59.95. It'll pay for itself the first time you use it!

• We sell Mac parts & upgrades, parts for iPhone screen repair, kits for fixing the infamous Xbox Red Ring of Death, and tons more.

• We need your support to continue building the free repair manual for ev