AppleInsider Staff
Just hours after Apple Watch first reached early-bird buyers in Australia, a device teardown hit the Web revealing a litany of miniature parts and an unannounced data port thought to be used for diagnostics work.
As with every major Apple product launch, the team at iFixit dutifully began to tear down a 38mm Apple Watch Sport less than five hours after some of the first consumer units were delivered to Australian customers.
The teardown is currently underway as of this writing, but so far the repair firm has managed to remove the display and pry out the 205mAh battery. Images show off the Digital Crown, Taptic Engine module and the enclosed case of Apple's S1 system-on-chip.
Also seen is an unannounced data port hidden under a cover located in one of the strap attachment grooves. The data port's purpose is unknown, though a report in March claimed the six-pin connector is capable of transferring data and possibly power to Watch.
Interestingly, an identical port can be found on the underside of Apple Store demo displays holding working Apple Watch units.
As for repairability, iFixit found what it calls the "tiniest Tri-wing screws we've ever seen" holding component brackets in place. Along with specialized screws, Apple relied on adhesive material to keep everything in place, a space and cost saving technique used in other products like iPhone and iPad.
Christine McKee
Andrew Orr
Malcolm Owen
Amber Neely
73 Comments
Can't wait to hear complaints about how it's not fixable.
[quote name="TheWhiteFalcon" url="/t/185952/apple-watch-gets-teardown-treatment-unannounced-data-port-discovered#post_2714841"]Can't wait to hear complaints about how it's not fixable. :rolleyes: [/quote] Not to mention the lack of a USB port and interchangeable batteries. :no:
Only gonna consider buying this if I can update the RAM, SSD, CPU, and everything else. I also want every component to be easily accessible, with standard screws, as well as being able to easily flash the OS. This is very important to me, and to the vast majority of consumers.
Only gonna consider buying this if I can update the RAM, SSD, CPU, and everything else. I also want every component to be easily accessible, with standard screws, as well as being able to easily flash the OS. This is very important to me, and to the vast majority of consumers.
Needs a MicroSD card slot too.
Repariability Score: 0 out of 10. You have to have the tools and a skills of a watchmaker in order to repair the watch.