iPad Mini Teardown Reveals Samsung Display Driver, A5 Chip, Stereo Speakers

[MacRumors]

iFixit is currently working on a teardown of the iPad mini, revealing the internal components of the device for the first time.

One interesting development is the discovery of a Samsung display driver chip. It is unclear, however, whether this means that Samsung is also responsible for the display itself, as the codes found on the back of the display do not provide immediate evidence of its manufacturer. Display production had been reported to be split between AU Optronics and LG, with Samsung being left out on the iPad mini.

iPad mini's A5 chip​

The teardown has also reached the logic board, revealing the A5 chip powering the device. The A5 chip found in iFixit's model carries date codes indicating that the package was put together in the 31st week of 2012, which would correspond to the end of July or the beginning of August.

iPad mini's stereo speakers​

iFixit has also confirmed that the iPad mini contains stereo speakers, although the relatively small spacing between the two speakers means that the benefit of stereo sound will be marginal under most scenarios.

iFixit's teardown is still underway, and we will update this post with any additional observations of interest that may surface.

Article Link: iPad Mini Teardown Reveals Samsung Display Driver, A5 Chip, Stereo Speakers

 

[daneoni]

If its a Sammy display driver then surely its a Sammy display?

I'm more curious about how much RAM its sporting.

 

[AQUADock]

Wonder how much ram it has? Most likely 512Mb.

 

[syavno]

RAM?? 512? Perhaps... dare I say it... 1Gb??

 

[Stetrain]

Wonder how much ram it has? Most likely 512Mb.

Most likely. The iPad 2 does fine with that memory, it's really the retina resolution that requires more.

 

[madsci954]

I wonder now if all future iOS devices will have stereo speakers.

 

[macse30]

I'm gonna reattach one ear to the other side of my head for better stereo reception.

 

[WannaGoMac]

So it's a small iPad 2. Unless you want a smaller tablet, an iPad 2 refurb is a better choice IMHO.

 

[WildCowboy]

So it's a small iPad 2. Unless you want a smaller tablet, an iPad 2 refurb is a better choice IMHO.

With much better cameras.

 

[Jeans89]

So the Apple's iPad selection is now:

1. Stereo devices:
- white iPad mini
- black iPad mini

2. Mono devices:
- white iPad2
- black iPad2
- white new iPad (4 gen)
- black new iPad (4 gen)

 

[AQUADock]

So it's a small iPad 2. Unless you want a smaller tablet, an iPad 2 refurb is a better choice IMHO.

How many times are people going to say this? It's not specifically a better choice because it's bigger.

 

[nick_elt]

oooohhhh NOOOEEESSS not samsung!






/sarcasm

 

[Shrink]

I'm gonna reattach one ear to the other side of my head for better stereo reception.

A dramatic move, bur probably the only way to perceive the stereo output.

Minimal separation....kind of useless, IMO.

 

[HarryKNN21]

So the fact is Apple can't find another manufacturer to manufacture components they need for their iOS products?

 

[convergent]

So it's a small iPad 2. Unless you want a smaller tablet, an iPad 2 refurb is a better choice IMHO.

Your statement makes zero sense. Do you not understand that the iPad "Mini" is intended for people that want a smaller tablet?????? This seems to be a foreign concept to many people in this forum. How is an iPad 2 refurb a better choice for someone that is shopping for an iPad Mini? Will the iPad 2 fold up somehow?

 

[clibinarius]

So the fact is Apple can't find another manufacturer to manufacture components they need for their iOS products?

Yup.

 

[daneoni]

So it's a small iPad 2. Unless you want a smaller tablet, an iPad 2 refurb is a better choice IMHO.

I actually think they should kill off the iPad 2. Its still more expensive than the mini brand new and only marginally cheaper than the retina, and it lacks Siri. It sticks out like a sore thumb. Seems like a solution looking for a problem to me.

 

[metsjetsfan]

If 1GB ram would really help more in justifying the price. But 512 prob more likely.

 

[wrkactjob]

I feel like a split brain patient.

In one hemisphere I am happy with my Samsung galaxy Tab 2 7.0 yet I have a strange feeling as I watch my other hand reach for my credit card and progress towards the iPad Mini in the online Apple store.

 

[TimUSCA]

So it's a small iPad 2. Unless you want a smaller tablet, an iPad 2 refurb is a better choice IMHO.

Not exactly. Engadget is showing slightly higher benchmarks on the mini. Plus, the iPad 2 doesn't have Siri.

 

[kralnor]

So it's a small iPad 2. Unless you want a smaller tablet, an iPad 2 refurb is a better choice IMHO.

The entire point of this device is that it's a smaller tablet. If you don't want a smaller tablet, of course a bigger tablet is a better choice.

 

[Shop]

They should add a couple more speakers and have 'L' and 'R' follow the orientation.

 

[metsjetsfan]

Not exactly. Engadget is showing slightly higher benchmarks on the mini. Plus, the iPad 2 doesn't have Siri.

And lte if that matters to you and the stereo speaker of course-

 

[kralnor]

Your statement makes zero sense. Do you not understand that the iPad "Mini" is intended for people that want a smaller tablet?????? This seems to be a foreign concept to many people in this forum. How is an iPad 2 refurb a better choice for someone that is shopping for an iPad Mini? Will the iPad 2 fold up somehow?

Because people were under the incorrect assumption that the iPad mini was going to be a "budget iPad" for people who didn't really want a smaller screen, but were willing to make do with one in order to save a few hundred bucks. These people cant accept the fact that they were wrong. These people also have not paid attention to anything apple has done in the past 7-8 years.

 

[kalsta]

iFixit has also confirmed that the iPad mini contains stereo speakers, although the relatively small spacing between the two speakers means that the benefit of stereo sound will be marginal under most scenarios.

Which is why Apple didn't even mention it during the launch methinks. There's some other objective here: to minimise the chance of sound loss by accidentally covering the speaker with your hand; or to generate more volume from a thinner enclosure; or maybe Cook just gave in… 'Yes, I know they want stereo! But the iPad's too small to… Oh what the hell, let them have stereo. An extra speaker costs us, what, 23 cents?'