Teardowns Detail Minor Differences Among Wi-Fi, GSM, and CDMA iPad 2 Models

[MacRumors]

iFixit yesterday announced that it has completed teardowns of the GSM and CDMA versions of the iPad 2, joining the teardown of the Wi-Fi version performed on launch day earlier this month. Rather than posting an extensive walkthrough of each model, iFixit focused on the few areas in which the various models differ from one another, related of course to the cellular connectivity needs or lack thereof.

The most obvious physical difference between the 3G models is the micro-SIM card slot along the upper left edge of the GSM model, required for providing the device with subscriber information. The micro-SIM card slot itself is actually attached to the headphone jack cable on the GSM model, while the CDMA model lacks the slot entirely as subscriber information is instead hosted directly on the WWAN board inside the device.

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iPad 2 antenna configurations: GSM (top), CDMA (middle), and Wi-Fi (bottom)​

Given the differences in frequencies used for the GSM and CDMA network standards, it is also unsurprising that the two 3G iPads offer slightly different antenna configurations, with the CDMA version offering one more antenna than the GSM version, similar to the iPhone 4.

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iPad 2 logic boards: Wi-Fi (top), GSM (middle), and CDMA (bottom)​

And finally, the three iPad 2 variations also exhibit differences in their logic boards, with the 3G models containing WWAN board extensions housing the hardware supporting cellular connectivity. Unsurprisingly, the CDMA model contains essentially the exact same chips, including the Qualcomm MDM6600 baseband chip, as the CDMA iPhone 4. The GSM model, on the other hand, primarily relies on Infineon chips for its connectivity.

Article Link: Teardowns Detail Minor Differences Among Wi-Fi, GSM, and CDMA iPad 2 Models

 

[JGowan]

What a job/business. You get to buy any/every great piece of gadget you want — Expense it all, tear it apart, put it back together and play with it while you're waiting for the next big thing! Kudos, gentlemen!

 

[talkingfuture]

I always like seeing these teardown pics. Impressive to see how much work has gone into the interior of a product you use every day without ever looking inside.

 

[alent1234]

and with the verizon iphone 4 i thought that apple was finally dumping crapfineon

 

[troop231]

It's just as beautiful on the inside as the outside Just like one's priorities should be when looking for a mate

 

[dault2]

seems like it would just be easy to have 1 3G model...

 

[gramirez2012]

Damn, that's one small logic board!

 

[troop231]

seems like it would just be easy to have 1 3G model...

Pretty much with the Gobi chip!

 

[Brien]

seems like it would just be easy to have 1 3G model...

If only...

 

[v66jack]

It's just as beautiful on the inside as the outside Just like one's priorities should be when looking for a mate

Apple's attention to detail on the inside of their products still amazes me. Wouldn't it be awesome if they created a model with a transparent case. So you could see all the workings everyday. Something like this:

 

[jav6454]

Why? Why does Apple keep using Infineon-Intel chips if they are the headaches for American Continent cellular providers?!

Switch to Qualcomm already damit!

 

[tarproductions]

Wirelessly posted (Mozilla/5.0 (iPhone; U; CPU iPhone OS 4_2_1 like Mac OS X; en-us) AppleWebKit/533.17.9 (KHTML, like Gecko) Version/5.0.2 Mobile/8C148 Safari/6533.18.5)

and with the verizon iphone 4 i thought that apple was finally dumping crapfineon

Could it be a supply issue/tactic?

 

[Consultant]

That might explain some reports that 3g model has slightly lower quality sound.

Strange that there isn't another cable for the sim card.

 

[Full of Win]

Another failing of the iPad 1.5, the lack of a CDMA / GSM model.

 

[kdarling]

Given the differences in frequencies used for the GSM and CDMA network standards, it is also unsurprising that the two 3G iPads offer slightly different antenna configurations, with the CDMA version offering one more antenna than the GSM version, similar to the iPhone 4.

The CDMA version has far fewer frequencies to support:

Wi-Fi + 3G model:
UMTS/HSDPA/HSUPA (850, 900, 1900, 2100 MHz);
GSM/EDGE (850, 900, 1800, 1900 MHz)

Wi-Fi + 3G for Verizon model:
CDMA EV-DO Rev. A (800, 1900 MHz)

They both use the 800/850 and 1900 bands, so they could've used the same antenna if Apple wanted to go cheap.

Just like the iPhone 4, the extra one on CDMA is most likely mandated by Verizon for better reception, and the entire design geared towards just their two bands for the same reason.

 

[toddybody]

Another failing of the iPad 1.5, the lack of a CDMA / GSM model.

You seriously need a hug or something.

 

[PapaStu]

Another failing of the iPad 1.5, the lack of a CDMA / GSM model.

Wait, so you're saying that it's an incremental upgrade.... in an electronic device? Well I never....

 

[notabadname]

Another failing of the iPad 1.5, the lack of a CDMA / GSM model.

Ha, ha. Oh, you crack me up. Thanks again for always posting funny stuff to keep the forum amused.

 

[Doctor Q]

What a job/business. You get to buy any/every great piece of gadget you want — Expense it all, tear it apart, put it back together and play with it while you're waiting for the next big thing! Kudos, gentlemen!

I wonder if iFixit and Will It Blend will merge. They are in such closely related businesses.

 

[toddybody]

I really dont see the relevance of complaining about distinct 3G models. Yes, it would simplify things for Apple and the consumer a bit...but not substantially (i.e., price break). Anyhoo...I wish theyd do an antenna redesign...that black plastic block just breaks up the beauty of the aluminum back.

 

[dault2]

I wonder if iFixit and Will It Blend will merge. They are in such closely related businesses.

best idea ever.

 

[ccwilli3]

Why? Why does Apple keep using Infineon-Intel chips if they are the headaches for American Continent cellular providers?!

Switch to Qualcomm already damit!

What headaches and how so?

 

[AmpSkillz]

Another failing of the iPad 1.5, the lack of a CDMA / GSM model.

yea because most consumers frequently switch back and fourth between GMS and CDMA and all of Apples competitors offer CDMA/GSM tablets??

yes it would have been convenient for Apple and consumers alike if they were to offer GSM/CDMA capable iPads and a few people may actually have a genuine need for such a capability but it's hardly a failing

 

[roland.g]

Apple's attention to detail on the inside of their products still amazes me. Wouldn't it be awesome if they created a model with a transparent case. So you could see all the workings everyday. Something like this:

Images removed from quote because, well, it's annoying when people fill up the page repeating them.

Not sure I like the front as much, but the back looks pretty cool.

 

[jav6454]

What headaches and how so?

Infineon chips are better suited for cell networks in Europe where cell towers are more denslty packed.

In the US and rest of American continent towers are more separated. Hence the chip has extra work and that's why we see cell signal/reception problems. However for the media in general and fan boys a like it's easier to blame the carrier instead of Apple.

You'd say I've never had a problem. Well I've traveled all Central American and some South American countries. Same story. My iPhone has some reception problems. You'd say third world countries. But no, some of those networks are better developed than AT&Ts and have by default the coveted 850Mhz band. It's just boils down to cell spacing.