First iPhone SE Teardown Reveals Mix of iPhone 5s, 6, and 6s Components

MacRumors · Mar 30, 2016

With the iPhone SE now available in several countries, the first teardown of the device has been conducted by Chipworks. As expected, the device uses a hodgepodge of components sourced from several past iPhones, including the iPhone 5, 6, and 6s, leading Chipworks to say "this is not your typical Apple release."

There are very few new parts, but that hardly means there is no innovation. As is the genius of Apple and its fearless leader, Mr. Cook, it is the combination of all the right parts that make a successful product. Finding that just-right balance of old and new, and at such a low cost, is no easy feat.

The processor inside the iPhone SE is indeed the same A9 processor found in the iPhone 6s, and the part in the iPhone SE Chipworks took apart was labeled with an APL1022 part number from a TSMC facility. It includes SK Hynix memory, which Chipworks says is likely the same 2GB LPDDR4 DRAM module found in the iPhone 6s.

The date codes might actually tell a story: the decapped application processor chip is dated 1535, Aug/Sep last year, so it was sitting in inventory for a while; the memory is 1549, last December; and presumably the whole package-on-package was assembled this year at the end of January.

The NFC chip is the NXP 66V10, the same used in the iPhone 6s, and the 6-axis sensor is from InvenSense and was also used in the iPhone 6s.

The Qualcom MDM9625M modem and the accompanying transceiver were originally found in the iPhone 6, and the Audio ICs, which Chipworks thinks were designed by Cirrus Logic, came from the iPhone 6s.

While many parts were originally from the iPhone 6 or 6s, the touch screen controller components (Broadcom BCM5976 and Texas Instruments 343S0645) were originally used in the iPhone 5s.

There are a few new components in the iPhone SE, including a "338S00170 device," which Chipworks says is "very likely a new Apple/Dialog power management IC," along with a Skyworks SKY77611 power amplifier module, a 16GB Toshiba NAND flash module, an EPCOS D5255 antenna switch module, and an AAC Technologies microphone.

Additional information about the iPhone SE will come out as Chipworks continues on with its teardown and as other companies like iFixit conduct their own device teardowns. The iPhone SE will be available in the United States starting tomorrow, March 31.

Article Link: First iPhone SE Teardown Reveals Mix of iPhone 5s, 6, and 6s Components

kazmac · Mar 30, 2016

Great to get a confirmation of old and new components.

Mr. Retrofire · Mar 30, 2016

Recycling is good for the environment! ;-)

macduke · Mar 30, 2016

Pretty interesting little device. I think Apple is going to sell a ton of these. I know I'll be getting one for my wife soon. For once my complaints finally paid off! Been rooting for this little guy for years.

akfgpuppet · Mar 30, 2016

Sill annoyed that this phone doesn't have a barometer.

AppleInTheMud · Mar 30, 2016

akfgpuppet said:
Sill annoyed that this phone doesn't have a barometer.

For what use ? It's just a gimmick.

......

I love the iPhone SE - finally a phone again that fits in the hand. I was all excited as the iPhone 6 came out. Got myself the plus... Rapidly changed that to a normal 6... Still to big. Now going back to 4"

Porco · Mar 30, 2016

Whilst I enjoy their early work and I admire their recent efforts, sometimes it's hard to argue with a greatest hits album.

sir1963nz · Mar 30, 2016

akfgpuppet said:
Sill annoyed that this phone doesn't have a barometer.

I was waiting for a bottle opener, something useful.

akfgpuppet · Mar 30, 2016

AppleInTheMud said:
For what use ? It's just a gimmick.

It tracks elevation, pretty gimmicky, but it is still something cool to have.

gotluck · Mar 30, 2016

I'm glad apple released this device... Like what it stands for

Bathplug · Mar 30, 2016

Probably all refurbished parts.

DUCKofD3ATH · Mar 30, 2016

MacRumors said:
With the iPhone SE now available in several countries, the first teardown of the device has been conducted by Chipworks. As expected, the device uses a hodgepodge of components sourced from several past iPhones, including the iPhone 5, 6, and 6s, leading Chipworks to say "this is not your typical Apple release."The processor inside the iPhone SE is indeed the same A9 processor found in the iPhone 6s, and the part in the iPhone SE Chipworks took apart was labeled with an APL1022 part number from a TSMC facility. It includes SK Hynix memory, which Chipworks says is likely the same 2GB LPDDR4 DRAM module found in the iPhone 6s.

The NFC chip is the NXP 66V10, the same used in the iPhone 6s, and the 6-axis sensor is from InvenSense and was also used in the iPhone 6s.

The Qualcom MDM9625M modem and the accompanying transceiver were originally found in the iPhone 6, and the Audio ICs, which Chipworks thinks were designed by Cirrus Logic, came from the iPhone 6s.

While many parts were originally from the iPhone 6 or 6s, the touch screen controller components (Broadcom BCM5976 and Texas Instruments 343S0645) were originally used in the iPhone 5s.

There are a few new components in the iPhone SE, including a "338S00170 device," which Chipworks says is "very likely a new Apple/Dialog power management IC," along with a Skyworks SKY77611 power amplifier module, a 16GB Toshiba NAND flash module, an EPCOS D5255 antenna switch module, and an AAC Technologies microphone.

Additional information about the iPhone SE will come out as Chipworks continues on with its teardown and as other companies like iFixit conduct their own device teardowns. The iPhone SE will be available in the United States starting tomorrow, March 31.

Article Link: First iPhone SE Teardown Reveals Mix of iPhone 5s, 6, and 6s Components

Just reducing the screen size is going to greatly improve performance as I and others found out with our speedy Gen. 6 iPod touches, so you can use older components and still shine.

Eidorian · Mar 30, 2016

Why reinvent the wheel when you can sell it as new?

duervo · Mar 30, 2016

sir1963nz said:
I was waiting for a bottle opener, something useful.

I was hoping for some scissors and a toothpick. Guess I'm still stuck with my "Swiss" for now.

The Doctor11 · Mar 30, 2016

AppleInTheMud said:
For what use ? It's just a gimmick.

To track flights climbed. I love having this.

malu78 · Mar 30, 2016

What I'm wondering is if the SE has any of the iPhone 5 problems related to Power and Home buttons breaking down.

Alphazoid · Mar 30, 2016

Thats why they can price it this low. Just assemble parts from the recycle bin. Package and ship.

hank moody · Mar 30, 2016

malu78 said:
What I'm wondering is if the SE has any of the iPhone 5 problems related to Power and Home buttons breaking down.

It has an entitely new power system.

Crosscreek · Mar 30, 2016

Great job of engineering old and new parts to make the best small phone in the industry at an affordable price but it still should of not had 16GB of memory.

Mac 128 · Mar 30, 2016

malu78 said:
What I'm wondering is if the SE has any of the iPhone 5 problems related to Power and Home buttons breaking down.

Not likely. It's reassuring that it's not all recycled parts, but also some new components that likely improve upon those previous issues in the 5s.

There are a few new components in the iPhone SE, including a "338S00170 device," which Chipworks says is "very likely a new Apple/Dialog power management IC," along with a Skyworks SKY77611 power amplifier module, a 16GB Toshiba NAND flash module, an EPCOS D5255 antenna switch module, and an AAC Technologies microphone.

rigormortis · Mar 30, 2016

MacRumors said:
With the iPhone SE now available in several countries, the first teardown of the device has been conducted by Chipworks. As expected, the device uses a hodgepodge of components sourced from several past iPhones, including the iPhone 5, 6, and 6s, leading Chipworks to say "this is not your typical Apple release."The processor inside the iPhone SE is indeed the same A9 processor found in the iPhone 6s, and the part in the iPhone SE Chipworks took apart was labeled with an APL1022 part number from a TSMC facility. It includes SK Hynix memory, which Chipworks says is likely the same 2GB LPDDR4 DRAM module found in the iPhone 6s.

The NFC chip is the NXP 66V10, the same used in the iPhone 6s, and the 6-axis sensor is from InvenSense and was also used in the iPhone 6s.

The Qualcom MDM9625M modem and the accompanying transceiver were originally found in the iPhone 6, and the Audio ICs, which Chipworks thinks were designed by Cirrus Logic, came from the iPhone 6s.

While many parts were originally from the iPhone 6 or 6s, the touch screen controller components (Broadcom BCM5976 and Texas Instruments 343S0645) were originally used in the iPhone 5s.

There are a few new components in the iPhone SE, including a "338S00170 device," which Chipworks says is "very likely a new Apple/Dialog power management IC," along with a Skyworks SKY77611 power amplifier module, a 16GB Toshiba NAND flash module, an EPCOS D5255 antenna switch module, and an AAC Technologies microphone.

Additional information about the iPhone SE will come out as Chipworks continues on with its teardown and as other companies like iFixit conduct their own device teardowns. The iPhone SE will be available in the United States starting tomorrow, March 31.

Article Link: First iPhone SE Teardown Reveals Mix of iPhone 5s, 6, and 6s Components

ohbrilliance · Mar 30, 2016

AppleInTheMud said:
For what use ? It's just a gimmick.

Not a gimmick at all. For those of us who walk or cycle a barometer gives us accurate elevation graphs.

rigormortis · Mar 30, 2016

Are they sure it's the same lte modem in the 6? The 6 does not have band 12 , which T-Mobile uses for low band spectrum. The SE has band 12.

coolfactor · Mar 30, 2016

rigormortis said:
Are they sure it's the same lte modem in the 6? The 6 does not have band 12 , which T-Mobile uses for low band spectrum. The SE has band 12.

The SE supports more bands. That was announced. So likely a different modem, or at least expanded support for the modem.

Suckfest 9001 · Mar 30, 2016

AppleInTheMud said:
For what use ? It's just a gimmick.

Clearly you don't take exercise as seriously as other people might.

First iPhone SE Teardown Reveals Mix of iPhone 5s, 6, and 6s Components

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