News & Analysis
Teardown: Apple iPad 4
Allan Yogasingam
11/9/2012 7:01 AM EST
Inside the iPad 4
When we picked up our iPad 4 on Nov. 2 (coincidentally, at the same time we picked up our iPad mini), we took it to our lab as soon as we could to take it apart and analyze what, if any, differences there were between this new iPad and the iPad 3.
Almost instantly upon taking the iPad 4 apart, we at UBM TechInsights discovered a product that was not much different at all from the iPad 3. In fact, apart from the change in processors (from the Apple A5X to the Apple A6X) and a move to Apple's proprietary Lightning connector dock, there isn't anything new in terms of the semiconductors that make up the tablet. One has to wonder if Apple expects to sell the same type of volume (usually tens of millions) of this new iPad if the general perception is this that it's just the iPad 3 with a faster processor.
Consequently, the major design winners from the Apple iPad 3 retain their sockets in the iPad 4, including longtime partner Broadcom, which retained three major design wins from the iPad 3. Two of these wins for were for touchscreen controllers (the BCM5974 and the BCM5973 both of which have been found in the previous iPads and the first generation of the iPhone). Broadcom's other major design win is the company's four-in-one combo wireless chip, the BCM4334, which was also found in the iPhone 5 and Samsung Galaxy S3. Below are some images of the Broadcom ICs we've analyzed using our de-encapsulation (decap) process:
Inside the Murata module containing the Broadcom BCM4334.
Die photo of the BCM5973A (click on image to enlarge).
Next: Cirrus Logic
When we picked up our iPad 4 on Nov. 2 (coincidentally, at the same time we picked up our iPad mini), we took it to our lab as soon as we could to take it apart and analyze what, if any, differences there were between this new iPad and the iPad 3.
Almost instantly upon taking the iPad 4 apart, we at UBM TechInsights discovered a product that was not much different at all from the iPad 3. In fact, apart from the change in processors (from the Apple A5X to the Apple A6X) and a move to Apple's proprietary Lightning connector dock, there isn't anything new in terms of the semiconductors that make up the tablet. One has to wonder if Apple expects to sell the same type of volume (usually tens of millions) of this new iPad if the general perception is this that it's just the iPad 3 with a faster processor.
Consequently, the major design winners from the Apple iPad 3 retain their sockets in the iPad 4, including longtime partner Broadcom, which retained three major design wins from the iPad 3. Two of these wins for were for touchscreen controllers (the BCM5974 and the BCM5973 both of which have been found in the previous iPads and the first generation of the iPhone). Broadcom's other major design win is the company's four-in-one combo wireless chip, the BCM4334, which was also found in the iPhone 5 and Samsung Galaxy S3. Below are some images of the Broadcom ICs we've analyzed using our de-encapsulation (decap) process:
Inside the Murata module containing the Broadcom BCM4334.
Die photo of the BCM5973A (click on image to enlarge).
Next: Cirrus Logic
|
|
|
|
|
Navigate to related information
Borisblade
11/9/2012 9:16 AM EST
What a waste for a worthless article.
Sign in to Reply
ttt3
11/9/2012 9:54 AM EST
How is this article "worthless"? Plenty of photos, etc. Did you miss that there are multiple pages?
Sign in to Reply
Peio
11/13/2012 4:08 AM EST
Maybe you chose the wrong magazine. Which is full of photos of sexy girls is another.
Sign in to Reply
yalanand
11/16/2012 10:39 PM EST
@Borisblade, there are totally 25 page info. Did you go through all of it ? Do you feel some info is missing in this page. I felt this was a very informative article.
Sign in to Reply
asdfasdfsdfsdf
11/25/2012 5:35 PM EST
Breaking it into 25 pages is an insult to the reader's intelligence. There's no reason to do that, beyond shoveling more ads.
Sign in to Reply
KarlFredrik
11/30/2012 6:11 AM EST
Do it my way. Press on the print button in the bottom of the article. Then a window will open with all the info. Easily scrollable.
Sign in to Reply
venu511
12/5/2012 12:54 PM EST
Thank you!
Sign in to Reply
Frank Eory
11/9/2012 11:34 AM EST
Thanks to UBM Techinsights for this. It is quite remarkable that Apple released a new generation iPad with nothing changed except the processor and the connector. This is far more incremental than their usual once a year product upgrade, and that alone is newsworthy.
Sign in to Reply
rogerwilker
11/12/2012 11:51 AM EST
One upgrade you forgot is the wifi capability of using 2.4 or 5.0. There by increasing wifi capability tremendously.
So, you have a much faster processor and wifi speeds.
Sign in to Reply
DBRenner
12/12/2012 7:28 PM EST
Actually, the Qualcom communications chip is a different lower power version and the front camera (is now HD). Sure there are other chip upgrades for WI-FI (Broadcom).
Sign in to Reply
sranje
11/9/2012 11:49 AM EST
iPAD Mini has an option for phone connectivity.
Who supplies ICs - Qualcomm or somebody else? It would be nice to know !!
Purists will dismiss it but - Mini could also be used as a phone/video-phone with a good headset...
Sign in to Reply
khody
11/21/2012 3:22 PM EST
I agree on the extra functionality for the iPad mini. Then again, I think all the small yet capable tablets should have phone call functionality. At the end of the day one could use a Bluetooth or wired headset.
Sign in to Reply
GREAT-Terry
11/11/2012 11:06 AM EST
After all, what exactly is new in this iPad4 besides the CPU and lightning connector? With just an upgrade of IC with same functionality, I see not much innovation is in here! I frankly feel a bit disappointed with all 3 new products (iPad4, iPadmini, iPhone5) from Apple
Sign in to Reply
Jack.L
11/12/2012 11:48 AM EST
Why disappointed?
IPAD Mini is a great form factor. IPAD4 is faster and supports a new connector that will form the basis of the ecosystem moving forward. IPhone5 carries on a form factor tradition that is successful.
I mean really for a tablet, what are you expecting? Screen is as good as needed now (except not 3D). Cameras are within limits of the technology (and cost). It's a tablet ... it does what is intended and well.
While Apple is about form factor, its really about ecosystem and interoperability. There is no need for whiz-bang features to achieve that. People buy them because they work.
Sign in to Reply
SylvieBarak
11/12/2012 12:13 PM EST
Yes, except this is not a teardown of the Mini... it's a teardown of the iPad 4, which is barely distinguishable from the 3. If I was an Apple fangirl, I would be quite disappointed... but as a regular gadget loving girl, I don't much care. It just means the 3 will be marginally cheaper if I decide to buy it for anyone this Christmas!!
Sign in to Reply
Jack.L
11/12/2012 11:50 AM EST
I will add .... what do we expect when we get a new PC now? Faster, bigger screen with more resolution, more memory and storage. We do not expect wiz bang features as most of that occurred in the early days. After that is has been incremental. Tablets are already evolutionary not revolutionary so why expect a game changer all the time?
Sign in to Reply
rogerwilker
11/12/2012 11:54 AM EST
Don't think previous versions have the capability to use the 5.0 ghtz wifi band. My router has had this capability for a couple of years with nothing capable of using that band. This is great as there is a lot less traffic on the 5.0 band. This has convinced me that with the faster cpu and wifi, I am ready to get an iPad.
Sign in to Reply
Daniel Payne
11/12/2012 11:59 AM EST
Good article with all of the details on ICs used in the design, my only nit is that it has been 7 months since the iPad 3 not 6 months (March to October).
Sign in to Reply
Alberttech
11/15/2012 6:23 AM EST
Apple Products, Smartphone and Androids, we provide cellular good qualities and keep our customers satisfied throughout the world, you can shop with us in confidence good, safe transportation and delivery to its final destination.
Order Inquiry: albert-tech@hotmail.com
LTE iPhone 5 16GB - $ 500usd
IPhone 4s 16GB - $ 435usd
Samsung Galaxy S3 GT-i9300 - $ 430usd
Samsung Galaxy Note N7100 II - $ 465usd
One HTC X - $ 350usd
Nokia Lumia - 900 LTE $ 300usd
Sony Xperia S LT26i - $ 300usd
Motorola RAZR I XT890 - $ 385usd
For more details Order provide us with your (full name, delivery address and phone number)
Contact us today Via: albert-tech@techie.com
Sign in to Reply
asdfasdfsdfsdf
11/25/2012 5:36 PM EST
25 pages?
Really?
Sign in to Reply
joepaiii
11/29/2012 11:25 AM EST
page clicks...
Sign in to Reply
venu511
12/5/2012 1:06 PM EST
@KarlFredrik has a great tip. Please click 'print' at the bottom of the article.
Sign in to Reply