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Thursday, October 11, 2012, 09:01 am
Teardown of Apple's new iPod touch finds 512MB of RAM, weaker home button than iPhone 5
With Apple's new iPod touch now available, the portable media player has been dissected to discover 512 megabytes of Hynix RAM inside its A5 processor, as well as a home button design different from the iPhone 5.
The fifth-generation iPod touch features a home button with a rubber membrane, iFixit found in its teardown. That's weaker than the redesigned home button they found when they took apart Apple's new iPhone 5.
The disassembly also found that the volume buttons, microphone, LED flash and power button are all connected via the same ribbon cable that easily peels from the rear case.
"We've seen this type of design in previous Apple products," the solution provider noted. "The shift to a single ribbon cable is more cost-effective for the manufacturer, but unfortunately it has a negative impact on repairability."
The battery inside the iPod touch was described as a "Plane Jane" component with a rating of 1030 mAh, an increase from the previous model's 930mAh. The battery is advertised to provide up to 40 hours of music playback on a single charge.
iFixit also found that the 4-inch Retina display on the fifth-generation iPod touch is inferior to the screen on the iPhone 5. It characterized the iPod touch screen as "a much simpler, cheaper design."
The teardown also offers a closer look at the 5-megapixel camera Apple has put into the fifth-generation iPod touch. The lens is capable of recording high-definition 1080p video at 30 frames per second.
The full list of parts found in the fifth-generation iPod touch are included below:
- A5 Processor
- Hynix H9TKNNN4KDBRCR 512 MB RAM
- Toshiba THGBX2G8D4JLA01 32 GB NAND flash
- Apple 3381064 dialog power management IC
- Murata 339S0171 Wi-Fi module
- Broadcom BCM 5976 touchscreen controller
- Apple 33831116
- STMicroelectronics AGD32229ESGEK low-power, three-axis gyroscope
- Texas Instruments 27AZ5R1 touchscreen SoC
On Topic: iPod
- Apple's online store now offering refurbed 7th Generation iPod Nanos, cheaper refurbed iPads
- Apple Online Store now offering refurbished 5th-gen iPod touch for $240
- Rumor: Ex-Adobe exec Kevin Lynch heading Apple team of former iPod employees
- Apple now collecting twice as much from iTunes, software & services as from iPod sales
- Users experiencing issues updating 5th-gen iPod touch to iOS 6.1
Previous Comments View All
Quote:
Originally Posted by SolipsismX 
1) Is the Hynix RAM new for Apple devices?
2) I'm not surprised by the Home Button difference. I am certain the average phone will get used a lot more than the average PMP. I think I did more than a million presses on that Home Button on my iPhone 4. Even though it was getting a little annoying I can't fault it for functioning after so much abuse.
3) This is mostly the setup I would expect an iPad mini to have.
1) Is the Hynix RAM new for Apple devices?
2) I'm not surprised by the Home Button difference. I am certain the average phone will get used a lot more than the average PMP. I think I did more than a million presses on that Home Button on my iPhone 4. Even though it was getting a little annoying I can't fault it for functioning after so much abuse.
3) This is mostly the setup I would expect an iPad mini to have.
I seriously hope that you are wrong.
It appears a lot of people are comparing it to the iPhone 5 rather than the previous generation iPod Touch.
Quote:
If that's what Apple has planned for a smaller iPad why bother?
Originally Posted by SolipsismX
1) Is the Hynix RAM new for Apple devices?
2) I'm not surprised by the Home Button difference. I am certain the average phone will get used a lot more than the average PMP. I think I did more than a million presses on that Home Button on my iPhone 4. Even though it was getting a little annoying I can't fault it for functioning after so much abuse.
3) This is mostly the setup I would expect an iPad mini to have. Note the rumoured 1024x768 = 786432px and 1136x640 = 727,040px which means no real change to the GPU is required. A bigger battery to power the larger backlight and touch matrix are the only real change to make the iPod Touch an iPad mini. I would expect the same basic case design as the new Touch, as well as colors for a $299-$349 price point.
1) Is the Hynix RAM new for Apple devices?
2) I'm not surprised by the Home Button difference. I am certain the average phone will get used a lot more than the average PMP. I think I did more than a million presses on that Home Button on my iPhone 4. Even though it was getting a little annoying I can't fault it for functioning after so much abuse.
3) This is mostly the setup I would expect an iPad mini to have. Note the rumoured 1024x768 = 786432px and 1136x640 = 727,040px which means no real change to the GPU is required. A bigger battery to power the larger backlight and touch matrix are the only real change to make the iPod Touch an iPad mini. I would expect the same basic case design as the new Touch, as well as colors for a $299-$349 price point.
Given the income Apple gets on an iPod is roughly half what it gets for an iPhone, it stands up pretty well. The iPod gets more of its 512mb of RAM dedicated to the apps, as there is no phone overhead. Same goes with the battery, with no 3G/LTE overhead, it doesn't need to be as strong.
You get a lot for your cash, that's for sure.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Rogifan
If that's what Apple has planned for a smaller iPad why bother?
If that's what Apple has planned for a smaller iPad why bother?
Because it'll perform faster than other inexpensive tablets in its class and it's a way to keep the cost down so an 7.85" 4:3 tablet can compete with a 7" 16:9 tablet. Note that an iPad mini of that size has nearly 50% more display area and yet will have to be profitable for Apple to do it.
You simply can't say you want the performance and PPI of the iPad (3) in a mini tablet and expect it to have the cost, weight, thickness, and longevity that would be required to be a feasible product. I think cost and weight are the two primary goals here. This means that it simply wasn't feasible before 32nm. A6 could increase that even further to help reduce battery usage for a give performance level (id est, clock it lower compared to the A5/32nm) but I'm betting on it being A5/32nm.
Basically, I'm envisioning an iPod Touch that "adults" would want for reading, that schools would want for various reasons, that companies would want for handheld devices. The iPod Touch is too PMPy to satisfy the needs of those that 1) don't want a 10" device, 2) don't want a 4" device, and/or 3) find the iPad too costly for their needs. Surely you've read how people want a smaller tablet from Apple that already have an iPhone but how many people have an iPhone and yet still want an iPod Touch for reading? I'm guessing not many.
Quote:
Originally Posted by SolipsismX
Because it'll perform faster than other inexpensive tablets in its class and it's a way to keep the cost down so an 7.85" 4:3 tablet can compete with a 7" 16:9 tablet. Note that an iPad mini of that size has nearly 50% more display area and yet will have to be profitable for Apple to do it.
(1)You simply can't say you want the performance and PPI of the iPad (3) in a mini tablet and (2) expect it to have the cost, (3)weight, thickness, and longevity that would be required to be a feasible product. (4) I think cost and weight are the two primary goals here. This means that it simply wasn't feasible before 32nm. A6 could increase that even further to help reduce battery usage for a give performance level (id est, clock it lower compared to the A5/32nm) but I'm betting on it being A5/32nm.
Basically, I'm envisioning an iPod Touch that "adults" would want for reading, that schools would want for various reasons, that companies would want for handheld devices. The iPod Touch is too PMPy to satisfy the needs of those that 1) don't want a 10" device, 2) don't want a 4" device, and/or 3) find the iPad too costly for their needs. Surely you've read how people want a smaller tablet from Apple that already have an iPhone but how many people have an iPhone and yet still want an iPod Touch for reading? I'm guessing not many.
Because it'll perform faster than other inexpensive tablets in its class and it's a way to keep the cost down so an 7.85" 4:3 tablet can compete with a 7" 16:9 tablet. Note that an iPad mini of that size has nearly 50% more display area and yet will have to be profitable for Apple to do it.
(1)You simply can't say you want the performance and PPI of the iPad (3) in a mini tablet and (2) expect it to have the cost, (3)weight, thickness, and longevity that would be required to be a feasible product. (4) I think cost and weight are the two primary goals here. This means that it simply wasn't feasible before 32nm. A6 could increase that even further to help reduce battery usage for a give performance level (id est, clock it lower compared to the A5/32nm) but I'm betting on it being A5/32nm.
Basically, I'm envisioning an iPod Touch that "adults" would want for reading, that schools would want for various reasons, that companies would want for handheld devices. The iPod Touch is too PMPy to satisfy the needs of those that 1) don't want a 10" device, 2) don't want a 4" device, and/or 3) find the iPad too costly for their needs. Surely you've read how people want a smaller tablet from Apple that already have an iPhone but how many people have an iPhone and yet still want an iPod Touch for reading? I'm guessing not many.
Thank god you don't know what you are talking about.
Those of us that are expecting (1) are not expecting (2) and (4). Eliminate number (4), eliminate the reference to (2). There it is.. the perfect 7inch.. and the perfect tablet for millions and millions. Otherwise what do you get?? "meh".
399 and up.
We expect it to loose performance wise only to the 9.7ipad, it should be lighter, smaller and have 7h/8h of battery life. throw 4g at it too.
If you want an e-reader go on and buy one.. if you want a lesser nexus go on and buy one, if you want one of those with an apple at the back forget it. they won't make an inferior product.
Quote:
Originally Posted by pedromartins
Thank god you don't know what you are talking about.
Those of us that are expecting (1) are not expecting (2) and (4). Eliminate number (4), eliminate the reference to (2). There it is.. the perfect 7inch.. and the perfect tablet for millions and millions. Otherwise what do you get?? "meh".
399 and up.
Thank god you don't know what you are talking about.
Those of us that are expecting (1) are not expecting (2) and (4). Eliminate number (4), eliminate the reference to (2). There it is.. the perfect 7inch.. and the perfect tablet for millions and millions. Otherwise what do you get?? "meh".
399 and up.
A one-handed tablet that requires two hands. Makes perfect sense¡
Quote:
Originally Posted by Rogifan
If that's what Apple has planned for a smaller iPad why bother?
If that's what Apple has planned for a smaller iPad why bother?
Speaking of the iPad mini. Were's those "claimed" invitations to the event "supposed" to go out yesterday.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Zoolook
Given the income Apple gets on an iPod is roughly half what it gets for an iPhone, it stands up pretty well. The iPod gets more of its 512mb of RAM dedicated to the apps, as there is no phone overhead. Same goes with the battery, with no 3G/LTE overhead, it doesn't need to be as strong.
You get a lot for your cash, that's for sure.
Given the income Apple gets on an iPod is roughly half what it gets for an iPhone, it stands up pretty well. The iPod gets more of its 512mb of RAM dedicated to the apps, as there is no phone overhead. Same goes with the battery, with no 3G/LTE overhead, it doesn't need to be as strong.
You get a lot for your cash, that's for sure.
512mb of RAM is bad news for consumers and developers who want to take full advantage of current generation devices.
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1) Is the Hynix RAM new for Apple devices?
2) I'm not surprised by the Home Button difference. I am certain the average phone will get used a lot more than the average PMP. I think I did more than a million presses on that Home Button on my iPhone 4. Even though it was getting a little annoying I can't fault it for functioning after so much abuse.
3) This is mostly the setup I would expect an iPad mini to have. Note the rumoured 1024x768 = 786432px and 1136x640 = 727,040px which means no real change to the GPU is required. A bigger battery to power the larger backlight and touch matrix are the only real change to make the iPod Touch an iPad mini. I would expect the same basic case design as the new Touch, as well as colors for a $299-$349 price point.