iPhone Air Teardown Reveals Secrets Behind Its Thin Design

The iPhone Air, noted for being Apple’s thinnest handset to date at a mere 5.6mm, has captured attention with iFixit’s latest teardown revealing its engineering secrets. Despite pushing the envelope with its sleek design, Apple has retained a surprising level of repairability—certainly an uncommon trait for devices this slim.

The Camera Plateau That Changed Everything

A fundamental design shift lies in what iFixit refers to as the “camera plateau.” Rather than crowding everything into the phone’s center, Apple ingeniously integrated part of the logic board into the camera bump. This strategic move freed up the phone’s center for both the battery and display, leading to a flatter internal configuration. Additionally, this rearrangement provides the logic board with enhanced protection against bending stresses, decreasing the chance of experiencing yet another “bendgate.”

Consequently, the majority of the iPhone Air’s body prioritizes battery space, surrounded by a resilient titanium frame. It’s a thoughtful balance of thinness and robustness.

A Smaller But Swappable Battery

Inside the device, Apple has fitted a 12.26Wh battery encased in metal, which notably is identical to the battery in Apple’s MagSafe Battery Pack. These batteries are interchangeable, offering flexibility. Although the battery’s reduced size initially raised concerns about lifespan, Apple’s blend of hardware and software enhancements ensures its battery life remains competitive with larger models.

Improvements extend to battery replacement. Early access in the teardown process is facilitated by a dual-entry design. The battery is secured with adhesive strips that can be detached using a low-voltage electrical charge, which is a safer and tidier alternative to conventional methods.

Titanium Frame With Limits

With a body this slender, durability naturally arose as a potential issue. Apple addressed this by crafting a titanium frame with strategic internal spacing. Bend tests indicate the assembled iPhone Air offers impressive sturdiness. However, the titanium frame alone shows vulnerabilities at the plastic antenna passthroughs. These structural necessities somewhat weaken durability when the device isn’t assembled.

Even so, the titanium framework contributes to good real-world durability, surpassing many expectations for a device of this thinness.

Modular Components and Repairability

The teardown highlights several repair-friendly aspects. Both the display and back glass are secured with clips rather than adhesive, simplifying removal. Even though the USB-C port is glued in, it’s also modular, featuring a smaller yet durable 3D-printed titanium alloy housing. The logic board sports Apple’s custom A19 Pro chip, N1 networking chip, and the fresh C1X 5G modem, illustrating Apple’s growing emphasis on proprietary internals.

This teardown reveals a more streamlined design that provides easier access to vital components. Coupled with Apple’s promise of spare parts and repair guides, the iPhone Air achieves an initial repairability score of 7 out of 10—aligning with the iPhone 16.

The Takeaway

Apple has managed to deliver a device that challenges the notion that thin must equate to fragile or irreparable. The iPhone Air showcases a bold, slim profile achieved through inventive engineering. From the innovative camera plateau to the easily swappable battery and modular elements, Apple has struck a rare chord of style, usability, and ease of repair. It’s remarkable that this, the skinniest iPhone to date, also ranks among the most serviceable.

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