iFixit Teardown Provides Look Inside iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max

[MacRumors]

Earlier this week, repair site iFixit took apart the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus to demonstrate the new battery removal process that uses electricity for adhesive removal, and today, iFixit is back with a teardown of the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max.

Apple's iPhone 16 Pro models do not have the same simplified battery removal process as the iPhone 16, with Apple instead using traditional stretch release adhesive for its pricier iPhones. It's still easier to get inside, though, because you can do so through the back of the iPhone rather than the display, which can be easily damaged.

Apple encased the iPhone 16 Pro battery in metal like the iPhone 16 models, but the iPhone 16 Pro Max does not have the metal casing around its battery, and it's not clear why. iFixit called the decision to use the metal-encased battery in just the 16 Pro and not the 16 Pro Max "perplexing."

The LiDAR Scanner is more accessible, which makes it easier to access for repairs. In prior Pro iPhone models, it was under the main camera assembly. The camera modules are almost identical, but not quite interchangeable due to a different cable length and a screw positioned in two separate locations inside each model.

Apple moved the mmWave antenna to make room for the Camera Control button, and in the 16 Pro models, it's in a hollowed out space near the top of the device. iFixit says that mmWave signal could still suffer due to the titanium frame of the iPhone 16 Pro models.

USB-C port removal is "massively" simplified, but iFixit points out that Apple does not sell replacement USB-C ports. The logic board can also be pulled out with only the removal of the upper speaker assembly, which is a major improvement to the design.

Notably, the teardown revealed that the iPhone 16 Pro models are using a Qualcomm SDX71M modem, which is a custom version of the SDX70M modem used in the iPhone 15 Pro models. Rumors had suggested the Pro models would include the Qualcomm X75 modem, which doesn't appear to be the case.

iFixit gave the iPhone 16 Pro models a repairability score of 7 out of 10 due to the design changes and the availability of repair manuals.

Article Link: iFixit Teardown Provides Look Inside iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max

 

[julesme]

We still don’t definitively know whether the X71 is a ”custom version” of last year’s X70 modem, or if it’s something else entirely.

Qualcomm doesn’t list specs for an X71 model, and if Apple used an X70 variant in the iPhone 16 Pro, that wouldn’t explain the impressive 26% 5G speed improvements vs last year’s models (as reported by MacRumors on September 12th, from SpeedSmart data). Doesn’t the speed improvement suggest that Apple is using some variant of the X75?

 

[Kylo83]

Why doesn’t the pro max get the better battery thermal cover?

 

[Anonymous123]

Apple encased the iPhone 16 Pro battery in metal like the iPhone 16 models

From other MacRumors article: “iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Plus, and iPhone 16 Pro Max batteries still have a black foil enclosure”

iPhone 16's 'Revolutionary' Battery Removal Process Shown in Video

Over the weekend, well-known repair website iFixit shared an iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus teardown video, and an accompanying blog post. Notably, the...

www.macrumors.com

Might want to update that.

 

[1BadManVan]

We still don’t definitively know whether the X71 is a ”custom version” of last year’s X70 modem, or if it’s something else entirely.

Qualcomm doesn’t list specs for an X71 model, and if Apple used an X70 variant in the iPhone 16 Pro, that wouldn’t explain the impressive 26% 5G speed improvements vs last year’s models (as reported by MacRumors on September 12th, from SpeedSmart data). Doesn’t the speed improvement suggest that Apple is using some variant of the X75?

From what ive found, the Us model gets the x75 for mmWave as it's the only version that has that feature and the rest get the x71 which gives the x75 performance just without the mmWave. I assume it to be right since the speed tests even internationally so far have seen a pretty decent speed boost, so I doubt its based off the x70

 

[JPack]

From what ive found, the Us model gets the x75 for mmWave as it's the only version that has that feature and the rest get the x71 which gives the x75 performance just without the mmWave. I assume it to be right since the speed tests even internationally so far have seen a pretty decent speed boost, so I doubt its based off the x70

No, since we know all models globally use Modem Firmware 1.0 which suggests identical modem for all models. The iFixit tear down of Pro Max clearly shows X71.

The biggest feature of X75 is 5G Advanced, but that’s missing from all iPhone 16 spec sheets. So it means no X75 in any iPhone.

Speed performance increase can be due to a number of factors including better antennas.

 

[Prof.]

Why doesn’t the pro max get the better battery thermal cover?

Probably because it's bigger, so it doesn't need it. Perhaps the bigger device allows for better heat dissipation?

 

[Smittywerben]

While surfing the web for information about the modem, I found a teardown from someone on Twitter (@TECHINFOSOCIALS) who claimed that Apple is using IMX 903 for the main camera, can someone confirm if it's legit?

 

[JPack]

We still don’t definitively know whether the X71 is a ”custom version” of last year’s X70 modem, or if it’s something else entirely.

Qualcomm doesn’t list specs for an X71 model, and if Apple used an X70 variant in the iPhone 16 Pro, that wouldn’t explain the impressive 26% 5G speed improvements vs last year’s models (as reported by MacRumors on September 12th, from SpeedSmart data). Doesn’t the speed improvement suggest that Apple is using some variant of the X75?

Modem hasn’t changed much but we know RF front end has.

Next-Gen iPhones will Get Reception Boost as Apple Integrates Anokiwave Technology - Gizmochina

These new chips utilize UMC's 3DIC technology, making UMC an important player in this iPhone antenna upgrade.

www.gizmochina.com

 

[Neofox]

Probably because it's bigger, so it doesn't need it. Perhaps the bigger device allows for better heat dissipation?

what about the 16 Plus then? 🤔

 

[rotvaldi]

While surfing the web for information about the modem, I found a teardown from someone on Twitter (@TECHINFOSOCIALS) who claimed that Apple is using IMX 903 for the main camera, can someone confirm if it's legit?

It is truth

 

[840quadra]

Yeah be curious how the MM Wave signal will be impacted by the new placement, as it was moved by the new camera button.

I know signal and speed are far more important to me than than a camera button! On my 15 Pro, I notice a significant difference in signal when my phone body in general is covered by an insulated (electrically) full metal bumper.

For those that don't know, RSRP is the number I am watching for what the phone is receiving from the tower / signal source. RSRP = Reference Signal Received Power

Phone not in case / bumper



Metal Bumper on


It would be silly if the new phones have weaker signal on any band due to relocating an antenna behind a metal portion of the case!

 

[lkrupp]

After what happened in Lebanon last week I think right to repair needs two be revisited and modified slightly. I certainly would not allow third party parts of unknown origin and unknown supply chain provenance to be used to repair my iPhone.

 

[Darren.h]

Thats crazy. just crazy. look how hard it was just to get the battery out.

and if you screw up and slip you damage the phone.

Just nuts. totally nuts.

Its not made easier to work on these phones

It's made harder with greater risk of you damaging your own phone.


BAD ENOUGH they use a glass back instead of a metal back. Drop your phone just 6 feet and the glass BACK shatters.

 

[citysnaps]

Yeah be curious how the MM Wave signal will be impacted by the new placement, as it was moved by the new camera button.

I know signal and speed are far more important to me than than a camera button! I on my 15 Pro, I notice a significant difference in signal when my phone body in general is covered by an insulated (electrically) full metal bumper.



Phone not in case / bumper
View attachment 2428855


Metal Bumper on
View attachment 2428854

It would be silly if the new phones have weaker signal on any band due to relocating an antenna behind a metal portion of the case!

Apple employing real RF engineers, an antenna lab, and 17 huge anechoic chambers for making precision RF field measurements and testing (costing $100 million), I suspect their RF engineers and designers came up with an optimal layout solution.

 

[840quadra]

Apple employing real RF engineers, an antenna lab, and 17 huge anechoic chambers for making precision RF field measurements and testing (costing $100 million), I suspect their RF engineers and designers came up with an optimal layout solution.

View attachment 2428904

I am aware of this, and I am not suspecting an antennagate, just is a curious decision to not provide a window like they had before.

I dabble quite a bit in RF for my day job for monitoring / controls so pay attention to such stuff.

 

[Mistletoe66]

Probably because it's bigger, so it doesn't need it. Perhaps the bigger device allows for better heat dissipation?

Yet another artificial intelligence clone reply that’s copied and pasted from YouTube, Reddit and all other forums….

 

[btrach144]

No, since we know all models globally use Modem Firmware 1.0 which suggests identical modem for all models. The iFixit tear down of Pro Max clearly shows X71.

The biggest feature of X75 is 5G Advanced, but that’s missing from all iPhone 16 spec sheets. So it means no X75 in any iPhone.

Speed performance increase can be due to a number of factors including better antennas.

Hmmm, where is ifixit getting their phones? They could be doing the videos outside the US.

 

[citysnaps]

I am aware of this, and I am not suspecting an antennagate, just is a curious decision to not provide a window like they had before.

I dabble quite a bit in RF for my day job for monitoring / controls so pay attention to such stuff.

Pure speculation here... My 16PM has what appears to be four breaks in the metal band that wraps around the phone. They're along the top and bottom sides, isolating the top metal and the bottom metal from the sides.

I wonder if the top and bottom metal bands are the antennas? By themselves, the top and bottom metal bands wouldn't be resonant for mm wavelengths. But perhaps they could tuned to do so, at the expense of losing a bit of efficiency.

Speaking of anechoic chambers... Years ago I worked for a Silicon Valley aerospace company. We had two anechoic chambers for modeling antennas used in electronic systems we designed and built. My recollection is the chambers were around 15' wide by 25' long. Which seemed large at the time, but would be tiny compared to what Apple uses today.

 

[bLackjackj]

So basically just a 15 Pro, slightly bigger to fit a bigger battery. 🤦‍♂️

 

[JohnC1959]

So basically just a 15 Pro, slightly bigger to fit a bigger battery. 🤦‍♂️

I think I read somewhere that they are slightly bigger to handle the camera changes (mainly the telephoto I think).

 

[JPack]

Hmmm, where is ifixit getting their phones? They could be doing the videos outside the US.

The teardown shows lack of SIM tray. Only U.S. models are like that.

 

[rymc02]

While surfing the web for information about the modem, I found a teardown from someone on Twitter (@TECHINFOSOCIALS) who claimed that Apple is using IMX 903 for the main camera, can someone confirm if it's legit?

About 99% sure it's not. First I don't think Apple would have missed a chance in the keynote to mention a larger sensor as well as its 50% better light capture. And from the camera comparisons Ive seen, the 16 Pro is just a minor upgrade over the 15 Pro. Very similar to how the 15 Pro was a minor upgrade to the 14 Pro with the same sensor. All the improvements seem to be software based along with a faster readout speed in the 16 Pro.

IMX903 has a pixel size of 1.4um. If we can get a definitive pixel size on the 16 Pro we will know for sure but don't hold your breath.

I read one or two reports recently that Sony was having yield issues with their new stacked design. This may have prevented Apple from using them and maybe why we are hearing rumors of Apple vetting Samsung as potential supplier for their sensors now.

 

[d5aqoëp]

Shoving in a X71 and not X75 modem has got to be the biggest disappointment. My OnePlus 12 with it's X75 modem literally destroys my 15 Pro Max. 15 Pro Max always gets 3-6 dB lower signal compared to OnePlus 12.
Seems like Apple shafted their customers by charging top dollar and including things that "just cut it" No bleeding edge anymore. It should have had X80 to jump the competition.

X80 based Androids should be here in few months anyway.

 

[JapanApple]

Love battery replacement. But glade don’t need to change models this year.