iPhone 12 mini Teardown

Despite its compact dimensions, this device boasts impressive capabilities, and to ensure comprehensive analysis, we acquired both the United States and European Union versions.

• A14 Bionic featuring a fourth-generation Neural Engine
• 5.4-inch display with a resolution of 2340 × 1080 pixels utilizing Super Retina XDR OLED technology, incorporating True Tone and HDR functionality.
• A dual 12-megapixel camera system is present, including an ultra-wide angle lens with an aperture of ƒ/2.4) and a wide angle lens with an aperture of ƒ/1.6)
• Storage options include 64, 128, or 256 gigabytes.
• This device supports 5G connectivity, encompassing both sub-6 GHz and mmWave frequencies, alongside 4x4 MIMO LTE, 802.11ax Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.0, and ultra-wide band (UWB) technology.
• MagSafe provides 12-watt wireless charging capabilities.
• It carries an IP68 rating, indicating resistance to water submersion to a depth of 6 meters for a duration of up to 30 minutes.

Apple's iPhone lineup has wholeheartedly embraced larger form factors, despite recurring requests for a revival of the compact designs of the past.
Because we disassemble phones irrespective of their dimensions, this provides a selection of iPhones representing various sizes. Arranged from left to right:iPhone 4, SE 2020, 12 mini, 12, and 12 Pro Max.
Regrettably, a shift towards a somewhat reduced size does not signify the reappearance of the headphone jack; it is now obsolete.
The iPhone 12 miniincorporates a noteworthy new characteristic: a greater disparity in the speaker grille design (likely to the disappointment of Jony Ive). This design change seems necessary to accommodate the antenna band within the smaller device.
Consistent with the other iPhone 12 models, a diminutive mmWave window on the side identifies the United States versions, while those intended for the European Union display certain regulatory markings.

Although the iPhone's aesthetic characteristics evolve with each generation, the Pentalobe screws consistently maintain their original specifications. Fortunately, our repair kits include every necessary bit for this task.
Pause briefly ... the appearance of this toolkit suggests a remarkably compact design. Is a small, easily portable toolkit potentially emerging from our production facility?
Consistent with previous models,the iPhone 12 minihas its screen secured by a robust adhesive bond. Applying heat and utilizing strong suction cups effectively overcomes this bond.
After removing the Pentalobe screws and severing the adhesive, the display panel separates using the same counter-clockwise rotation technique observed in the iPhone 12 and 12 Pro.

Having completed the disassembly process, let's transition to a more relaxed activity; perhaps a game of "I spy"? The subject device presents a notable difference from the standard 12 model:

• Instead of the usual three, this device utilizes only two display cables.
• A reduced-size battery, Taptic Engine, and loudspeaker were also incorporated.
• Certain display components have been relocated.
• The upper sensor assembly, which houses the speaker, Face ID functionality, and various sensors, underwent modifications to accommodate its slightly reduced footprint.

Despite its smaller stature, this non-pro iPhone delivers impressive performance in terms of display quality. It features a 5.4 inch 2340 x 1080 OLED screen, protected by Apple's Ceramic Shield glass.

The inclusion of "más" cameras within a "menos" iPhone represents a novel occurrence. Observing this development is noteworthy, particularly if manufacturing compromises were avoided.

• The absence of plastic spacers is evident; their presence would have been logical in the larger iPhone 12, but the compact dimensions of the mini necessitate maximizing available space.

The camera system of the mini (left) incorporates identical ƒ/1.6 wide-angle and ƒ/2.4 ultra wide-angle lenses as the standard iPhone 12 (right). The wide-angle lens also utilizes optical image stabilization (OIS), a characteristic confirmed through radiographic analysis.
While we acknowledge the innovative addition of a camera within this compact device, it is possible that this feature has negatively impacted the already limited battery capacity. Nevertheless, it is difficult to express significant dissatisfaction with this diminutive device.
Fortunately, camera replacements function flawlessly during our evaluations; preliminary results indicate that the mini does not exhibit the camera repair issues observed in the standard iPhone 12.

Disassembly of the speaker assembly exposes the 12-series-compliant (and seasonally colored) orange gasket, designed to prevent ingress of foreign substances.

• Given the already reduced size of the Taptic Engines previously observed, the presence of an even smaller unit within this compact device is unexpected.

The dimensions of this diminutive Taptic Engine are 15.14 mm in length, 10.9 mm in width, and 3.44 mm in thickness; representing a 25% reduction in volume compared to the motor found in the 12 and 12 Pro models.
The available volume is utilized for a more substantial cable and connector.
While we previously speculated that sufficient room might exist for a headphone jack within the 12 and 12 Pro, this is not the case for the mini; the Taptic Engine and speaker are now positioned with a significantly tighter fit.

Utilize tweezers to carefully extract the component.Although the stretch release tabs are notably large in relation to the small area they interact with, sufficient force is available to complete this delicate procedure.

• Despite its diminutive size, the battery within this device provides a substantial 8.57 watt-hours of energy. This capacity exceeds the 6.96 watt-hours found in the iPhone SE 2020, yet remains less than the 10.78 watt-hours of the larger iPhone 12 model it complements.

Unlike its three larger counterparts which support 15-watt wireless charging, this smaller model consumes power at a reduced rate of 12 watts.
Regardless, all four models utilize a 20-watt fast charging system when connected to a power source; wireless charging is generally less efficient.
The battery connectors are compatible with those found in the iPhone 12 Pro Max; however, the Pro Max battery's physical dimensions are incompatible with the mini's internal space.

Following a brief respite, we're resuming our analysis, and Creative Electron has provided a valuable X-ray image to aid in our understanding.

• Let's examine the details; the darker regions in the image represent the phone's denser components, frequently incorporating magnetic materials, specifically:
  The optical image stabilization (OIS) magnets located near the lower camera, the earpiece speaker, and the loudspeakers, alongside the small Taptic Engine.
  Notably, the MagSafe charging ring appears to have been significantly reduced in size.
  Due to the phone's compact dimensions, the conventional MagSafe diameter is incompatible, necessitating the removal of portions from the right and left sides of the circular design.

Now, let's focus our attention on those concentrated dark areas within the upper sensor assembly to determine their function.

American models of the iPhone now incorporate additional components on the front-facing camera assembly, a feature absent from the European versions.

• During previous iPhone 12 disassembly procedures, we observed these unusual square components. They are situated within a compact area located between the Face ID camera modules, approximately where an older iPhone's ambient light sensor would typically reside.
• The lack of these components in the European iPhone models implies the possibility of a third mmWave antenna, although its design does not match any mmWave antenna previously encountered. Attempts to analyze its function using X-ray technology were unsuccessful.
• This development raises the question of whether an Apple engineer significantly reduced the size of the ambient light sensor to create this available space. The current location of the miniaturized sensor remains unknown.

Similar to the iPhone 12, the logic board is extracted from its position along the left side, creating room for the substantial rear-facing camera system on the right.
The American iPhone's logic board includes a mmWave antenna flex cable that is soldered to its underside (which was removed during a separate process). Technicians servicing US models should exercise caution and avoid forceful removal of the board.

We will now examine these logic board assemblies. For clarity, the United States model is depicted at the top of the images, with the European Union model positioned below. (Please disregard this arrangement; it is simply a consequence of chip placement.)

• Initially, observe the commonalities: the upper portions of the US and EU boards are indistinguishable and feature the same distribution of integrated circuits on both surfaces.
• The lower sections present a greater degree of variation. (Important: While the SIM card readers are identical, we only removed it from the US version.) The US board begins incorporating the necessary components for millimeter wave functionality at this point:
• An additional connector is present, designed to interface with the front millimeter wave antenna detailed in the preceding instruction.
• A Murata 1XR-482 millimeter wave front-end module is also included.
• The Qualcomm SMR526 intermediate frequency integrated circuit is present, operating in coordination with Qualcomm's SDX55M 5G modem.
• A further millimeter wave antenna is mounted directly on the board's surface.
• A flexible cable is soldered to this component, establishing a connection to the side edge millimeter wave antenna.

Having established the distinctions between American and European sandwich shop practices, we will now examine the (largely recognizable) US silicon components:

• The Apple APL1W01 A14 Bionic System on a Chip incorporates Micron MT53D512M64D4UA-046 XT:F 4 GB of LPDDR4 SDRAM, a configuration identical to that found in the iPhone 12 and 12 Pro models.
• Present is 1UED, which is probably a U1 ultra-wideband chip, mirroring the USI chip utilized in other iPhone devices.
• A wireless charging integrated circuit, the STMicroelectronics STWPA1-3033ABM, is included, potentially alongside a similar component like the STWBC-EP.
• The KIC M224 BE0408 TWNA 12031 manages 64 GB of Kioxia NAND flash memory.
• A Qualcomm SDR865 handles 5G and LTE transceiver functions.
• The Qualcomm SDX55M provides a 5G modem-RF system, complemented by the SMR526 intermediate frequency IC.
• Power management is handled by the Apple APL1094 integrated circuit.

Continuing the identification of integrated circuits on the processor PCB:

• The processor board incorporates a Texas Instruments SN2611A0 chip, which functions as a Li-Ion battery charger.
• An Apple/Cirrus Logic 338S00537 component serves as a mono audio amplifier on the board.
• An audio codec of unknown origin, identified as Apple/Cirrus Logic, is also present.
• The display output is managed by an NXP Semiconductor CBTL1614A1, acting as a Display Port multiplexer.
• Display power regulation is handled by a Samsung S2DOS24 device.
• A power management integrated circuit, designated Apple 338S00564-B0, is found on the board, although its specific function remains undetermined.
• An LED driver is implemented using a Texas Instruments LM3562A1.

• Murata components are utilized in this device.The device incorporates a Murata 1XR-482 mmWave front-end module.
• Murata parts are present within the system.Component identifier 583 is relevant to this repair.Skyworks 53807 diversity receive modules are also included.The device's design features Skyworks 53807 diversity receive modules.
• A USI 339S00761 WLAN / Bluetooth module is part of the assembly.The system integrates a USI 339S00761 WLAN / Bluetooth module.
• Qualcomm's PMX55 power management IC is a critical component.The device utilizes a Qualcomm PMX55 power management IC.
• An Avago 8200 high/mid-band power amplifier, which includes an integrated duplexer, is present.The device incorporates an Avago 8200 high/mid-band power amplifier, complete with an integrated duplexer.
• Skyworks 5824x power amplifiers are also part of the design.The system includes Skyworks 5824x power amplifiers.
• A Broadcom BCM15960A0 is a component within the device.The device's architecture incorporates a Broadcom BCM15960A0.

• An accelerometer manufactured by Bosch Sensortec, the specific model is currently undetermined.
• Components include a device from Texas Instruments.The circuit incorporates the SN61280, a DC-DC converter designed for lithium-ion batteries.
• A component from Maxim Integrated is also present.The MAX8510, a low dropout (LDO) regulator capable of providing up to 120 milliamperes, is utilized.
• A device from STMicroelectronics is part of the design.The secure microcontroller, designated as the ST33JZ90, is included in the system.
• A component from Qualcomm is also utilized.The envelope tracker used is the QET5100.

Mirroring the experience of utilizing post-Thanksgiving meal remnants, we select components from the available parts inventory.
Acquiring necessary elements, we retrieve ribbon cables, antennas, microphones, the flash module, and the Lightning connector.
Functioning similarly to its larger counterparts, the final component to be addressed is the MagSafe coil and button assembly.
As anticipated, the compact dimensions of the mini prevent compatibility with certain vertical wireless charging devices, as the coils do not align properly.

The iPhone 12 mini, despite its compact dimensions, possesses significant capabilities. Notably, the internal components exhibit a surprising resemblance to those found in other iPhone models this year, despite variations in their physical size.
Reducing the size of elements such as the speaker and Taptic Engine contributes to space savings; however, the battery's capacity experiences a regrettable reduction.
We will soon be disassembling the iPhone 12 Pro Max, which represents the largest size in the iPhone lineup, or you can view a live broadcast to preview the process.
Finally, we will evaluate the mini's performance regarding our repairability assessment; continue reading for the results.