Early iPhone 12 Teardown Features Smaller Taptic Engine, Magnet Ring and L-Shaped Logic Board

[MacRumors]

The iPhone 12 and 12 Pro are set to be delivered to customers this Friday, but there are already a few out in the wild. Leaker DuanRui this morning shared a video featuring a short teardown of the new iPhone 12, giving us a quick look at the internals.

In the video, the iPhone 12 is taken apart component by component, with comparisons to corresponding iPhone 11 parts provided. The new iPhone 12 has an L-shaped logic board, which we initially saw in a leak in May. The iPhone 12 logic board isn't identical to the leaked logic board, so that leaked version is likely from another one of the iPhone 12 models.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1318911559943430145

The logic board is longer than the logic board that was used in the iPhone 11, and it has the aforementioned L design rather than just a straight design.

There's a 2,815mAh battery in the iPhone 12, which was seen in Brazilian regulatory filings last week. Comparatively, the iPhone 11 has a higher capacity 3,110mAh battery. Apple lists similar battery lengths for both iPhone models, though, due to efficiency improvements introduced through the A14.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1318948737499111424

Smaller batteries may have been included because Apple may have needed extra space for the 5G components in this year's iPhones, but there have already been some concerning early tests about faster than normal battery drain when using 5G networks. That's not necessarily a surprise because it's well known that 5G drains battery faster, but it's something iPhone 12 and 12 Pro users should be aware of.

The Taptic Engine, which provides haptic feedback, is a good deal smaller in the iPhone 12, and the teardown also shows off that magnetic ring that works with MagSafe accessories.

There are also comparisons between other components such as the display, dual-lens camera setup, flash, and more, which those interested can see in the video.

iFixit will have in-depth teardowns of both the iPhone 12 and 12 Pro coming in the future, which we can count on seeing after the new devices are released.

Article Link: Early iPhone 12 Teardown Features Smaller Taptic Engine, Magnet Ring and L-Shaped Logic Board

 

[LeadingHeat]

ESD damage allll over that poor iPhone 12. Ground yourself when working with electronics, people!

 

[4jasontv]

This is cool, but I really want to see how this compares to the mini.

 

[ss2cire]

the poor iphone, RIP.

 

[jcshas]

I really only care about seeing a drop test.

 

[ss2cire]

ESD damage allll over that poor iPhone 12. Ground yourself when working with electronics, people!

yes but... the teardowns kill the phone anyway so.... no need to protect...

 

[Kylo83]

So is the Taptic not as strong then

 

[TheYayAreaLiving 🎗️]

The iPhone didn't deserve that this early.

 

[JPack]

Qualcomm X55 confirmed



From teardown video on Weibo, showing X55 modem.

 

[Sam in SoCal]

With 3D touch gone and reliance on haptic feedback why is the Taptic Engine getting smaller year over year?

 

[JPack]

With 3D touch gone and reliance on haptic feedback why is the Taptic Engine getting smaller year over year?

Generally, a smaller or lighter device needs less actuation force.

 

[Sam in SoCal]

Qualcomm X55 confirmed

View attachment 970508

From teardown video on Weibo, showing X55 modem.

Been waiting to see which modem they used. Was hoping for the X60. This years components and smaller battery is turning out to be a disappointment for me. I’ll wait for the 12 max, even though my 12 pro regular will be coming this Friday. I at least want the best battery life and cameras

 

[JPack]

ESD damage allll over that poor iPhone 12. Ground yourself when working with electronics, people!

The phone won't go back into service. It will be used for circuit analysis and repair training.

 

[insomniac86]

So is the Taptic not as strong then

Wondering that myself. I’ll find out in a couple of days when my wife gets hers.

 

[xxray]

Qualcomm X55 confirmed

View attachment 970508

From teardown video on Weibo, showing X55 modem.

Andddddd yet another reason to wait for next year's iPhone (which I already figured anyways).

The X60 (the newest Qualcomm chip following the X55) is a big update with lower battery consumption, Voice over 5G (VoNR), and carrier aggregation which will result in faster and more reliable 5G.

 

[Enclavean]

Calling it now that the lighting port removal will be justified with a bigger battery after they put a smaller one in this generation

 

[mnsportsgeek]

Qualcomm X55 confirmed

View attachment 970508

From teardown video on Weibo, showing X55 modem.

Dang. Was hoping for X60. Guess it wasn't ready.

 

[MrGuder]

I know people will disagree but those magnet rings cause weight in these new phones. I personally feel MagSafe on the iPhones is a gimmick and not a must have feature. I’d prefer no magnets and allow more room for a larger battery. Every yr Apple adds a new feature that forces them to decrease the battery size. force Touch ID tapic bar, magnets, 5 G antenna etc...

 

[iAFC]

So is the Taptic not as strong then

The taptic engine in the iPhone 6s was larger than the one found in the iPhone X, for example. No difference in strength, though.

I know people will disagree but those magnet rings cause weight in these new phones. I personally feel MagSafe on the iPhones is a gimmick and not a must have feature. I’d prefer no magnets and allow more room for a larger battery. Every yr Apple adds a new feature that forces them to decrease the battery size. force Touch ID tapic bar, magnets, 5 G antenna etc...

Yeah, I agree. And it looks like the magnet isn't strong enough to hold that wallet accessory safely, as MKBHD has shown on his latest video.

 

[applyr]

Is this the first time that the battery resides on the right side of an iPhone?

 

[magicMac]

I know people will disagree but those magnet rings cause weight in these new phones. I personally feel MagSafe on the iPhones is a gimmick and not a must have feature. I’d prefer no magnets and allow more room for a larger battery. Every yr Apple adds a new feature that forces them to decrease the battery size. force Touch ID tapic bar, magnets, 5 G antenna etc...

i think you definately have a point there. I'm in two minds about it, after all I would have ordered an iPhone 12 without the magnets and a slightly bigger battery.

But I guess this is apple being apple, they have to do something different from the competition and it does somewhat solve the alignment issue which allows for effecient faster wireless charging. I'm just not sure how important faster wireless charging is, i tend to charge my phone slowly overnight which is better for the life of the phone. Early reviews don't show the cases slotting on and off the phone easily like the marketing video suggests either...

I do look forward to seeing lots of third party iPhone "pucks" appearing , that will be the ultimate success especially as it's backwards compatible with standard Qi phones (unlike lightning which was on apple phones only). On a side note it's about time they killed the lightning port entirely ...

 

[Glideslope]

Qualcomm X55 confirmed

View attachment 970508

From teardown video on Weibo, showing X55 modem.

Too bad. X60 is superior. ☹️

 

[Glideslope]

Dang. Was hoping for X60. Guess it wasn't ready.

Apple cost cutting. Period.

 

[mnsportsgeek]

Apple cost cutting. Period.

It won't be ready till 2021.

 

[DotCom2]

I really only care about seeing a drop test.

Yeah, me too. I want to see how well this new "4 times better" screen does.