iFixit Tears Down the New Apple Watch Series 4 [Photos]

iFixit has posted its teardown of the new Apple Watch Series 4.

This year’s iteration of the Apple Watch can be your trainer, doctor, guardian, and now, live-in nurse! How’d Apple fit all these personalities into one watch? Let’s find out why everyone is falling so hard for this watch—with a teardown!



Highlights:
● 40 mm (324 × 394 pixels) and 44 mm (368 × 448 pixels)
● Apple 64-bit dual-core S4 SiP (System in Package)
● 1.113 Wh (291.8 mAh at 3.81 V) power pack, labeled A2059
● Flex cable now lies sandwiched underneath the battery and above the main board
● S4 is secured only with screws, and pops right out
● Golden donut is likely a streamlined antenna



Repairability Score: 6 out of 10
● Watch band replacements remain fast and simple, and are even backward-compatible with previous models.
● Screen replacements are difficult but do-able—it's the first thing to come off, and detaches via simple ZIF connectors.
● Battery replacements are pretty straightforward, once you're inside.
● While not proprietary, incredibly tiny tri-point screws are a repair hinderance. And they are all over the place.
● Several component flex cables are mounted directly to the S4 package, requiring skilled microsoldering to replace.
● The resin-encased S4 system makes most board-level repairs impossible.


Take a look at a couple photos below and hit the link for the full teardown!

Read More