May 3, 2024

iPad Air 2 Teardown Reveals A8X Processor, 2GB of RAM, Smaller Battery [Photos]

Posted October 22, 2014 at 11:30pm by iClarified · 16398 views
iFixit has posted a teardown of the new iPad Air 2.

What's lighter than Air? An Air 2. Join us live as we disassemble the new, shaved-down iPad Air 2, and see whether Apple's thinnest device is still its least-repairable.

Highlights:
● Fully laminated, 9.7" IPS Multi-Touch LCD with a 2,048 x 1,536 resolution at 264 ppi and antireflective coating
● A8X 64-bit CPU (rumored to be a triple-core, 1.5 GHz SoC) paired with 2 GB RAM and M8 motion coprocessor
● iPad Air 2 Wi-Fi is model number A1566.
● The iPad Air 2 is thinner than the original iPad Air and the iPhone 6, and it doesn't have a camera bump.
● Dual mic moves closer to iSight camera, mute switch is gone.
● The glued-down display remains the iPad's only access point, so there's still a risk of damaging it even when performing ordinary repairs.
● Wi-Fi model's antennas are now at the top of the iPad
● Replacing Lightning connect requires replacing the entire logic board.
● 27.62 Wh battery down from the previous Air's 32.9 Wh capacity.

iPad Air 2 Repairability Score: 2 out of 10 (10 is easiest to repair)
● The battery is still not soldered to the logic board.
● The LCD and front panel glass are now fused together. This slightly simplifies the opening procedure.
● The fused front panel also increases the cost of repairing a cracked screen, and increases risk of damage to the LCD when opening.
● Just like in previous iPads, the front panel is glued to the rest of the device, greatly increasing the chances of cracking the glass during a repair.
● Gobs of adhesive hold everything in place making all repairs more difficult.

Take a look at a few photos below or hit the link for the full teardown.

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