What's new and different in the iPhone 4S, compared to the original iPhone 4? That's what UBM TechInsights sought to find out when we did this teardown of a spanking new, white 4S.
Most notable is the fact that the handset works across multiple carrier platforms such as GSM and CDMA. This isn't surprising, as such a capability was evident in the Verizon version of the iPhone 4. That version incorporated the first use of Qualcomm’s MDM6600 -- a chipset that was already capable of working across both GSM and CDMA mobile standards. The 4S is available on AT&T, Verizon, and Sprint.
The foundation for a world phone was set, and our discovery of Qualcomm MDM6610 confirmed our initial speculation that the Verizon iPhone 4 was precursor for this design change. As well, the 4S finalizes Apple’s switch from Infineon to Qualcomm. Qualcomm was able to secure, not only the design win of the MDM6610, but also the RTR8605 RF transceiver and its PM8028 power management device.
Click the image below to view a slideshow of the iPhone 4S in various stages of disassembly:
UBM TechInsights, which specializes in intellectual property analysis, got its hands on one of the first iPhone 4S models and did this teardown.
Another major hardware winner in the 4S is Broadcom. Not only did Broadcom maintain its socket from the iPhone 4, it convinced Apple to upgrade to one of its newer devices, the BCM4330 802.11n WiFi/Bluetooth/FM Radio chipset. This is the second major design win for Broadcom, which saw the same IC incorporated in the very popular Samsung Galaxy S II handset.
The second biggest change from the iPhone 4 to the iPhone 4S is one that was telegraphed with the release of the iPad 2. (See also Slideshow: Apple iPad 2 Teardown.) The selection of the Apple A5 dual-core processor should come as no surprise to anyone familiar with Apple’s tendency to use its tablet format as a precursor to a new processor. Just as the use of the A4 processor in the iPad2 presaged its use in the iPhone 4, the iPad 2 and the introduction of the A5 processor within its casing foretold its use in the iPhone 4S.
Other winners for design sockets were TriQuint, Skyworks, Texas Instruments, and STMicroelectronics.
As for the main processor, after making its first appearance inside the Apple iPad 2, the Apple A5 dual-core processor has now found its way into the iPhone 4S. The Apple A5 features two ARM cores and supports Low Power DDR2 DRAM memory.
Much like the processor found in the iPad 2, this version of the A5 is nearly identical in terms of die width and die length -- which is a good indicator that this version of the A5 is manufactured at the 45nm process node again. A cross-section is required to determine whether this version of the A5 is manufactured by someone other than Samsung (such as TSMC), but early indications show that this is most likely from Samsung.
On the software side, the highest profile feature is Siri, the "personal assistant," which responds to voice commands.
Here's a list of iPhone 4S components:
Apple A5 Dual-core processor – Package-on-Package implementation also featuring
Elpida B4064B2PF-8D-F – Elpida 512 MB of Low-power DDR2 DRAM (SI#26521)
Qualcomm RTR8605 Multimode RF Transceiver
AGD8 2132 – STMicroelectronics L3G4200DH 3-Axis Digital MEMS Gyroscope Module
Beyond the addition of the Siri voice recognition system, I'm not sure what the big advances are with this new iPhone in terms of actual new functionality for the user. I also find it curious that a lot of the media and Apple watchers expressed disappointed with the new model upon its initial introduction (maybe expecting a more radical iPhone 5 model) and have subsequently been singing its praises. Nostalgia, perhaps, in the post-Jobs Apple era?
Good point - but the iP4S does have other improvements/enhancements besides Siri (which, BTW, can be frustrating at times!) - an 8 MP Camera as well as a base of 16 GB memory, faster speed and an improved operating system. Believe it or not, this is the first Apple Product I've ever purchased - and so far, it is making me a believer - I might just purchase an Apple as my next Computer!
I agree with the comments and was a skeptic, too, until a friend of mine gave me a demo of Siri on his new iPhone 4S. Sure, there's a lot of funkiness with Siri and there's almost a game people play asking it hard to answer questions or cursing at it to see how it responds. At the same time, it's clearly the most user friendly speech recognition and response system ever fielded in a consumer device. And it's too darn bad Steve Jobs isn't here to get it to generation 2 and beyond. It's got huge potential, and I'm sure we'll see the Android phones mimic it very soon.
As all you blogers below know it is true Jobs drove the Apple Super Ship of American Enterprise to heights unimagined in the past but, as the worlds engineers know this wasn't by accident. Just examin the contributors list to his companies success!
Here's a list of iPhone 4S components:
Apple A5 Dual-core processor – Package-on-Package implementation also featuring Elpida B4064B2PF-8D-F – Elpida 512 MB of Low-power DDR2 DRAM (SI#26521)
Qualcomm RTR8605 Multimode RF Transceiver
AGD8 2132 – STMicroelectronics L3G4200DH 3-Axis Digital MEMS Gyroscope Module
Murata SW SS1919013 – Wireless module featuring Broadcom BCM4330 MAC/Baseband/Radio with Integrated Bluetooth and FM Transceiver
My point: GREAT COMPANIES CAN DO GREAT THINGS! This concept has been proven time and again in times of war or peace. The difference now is the Globalized Support Expeteese necessary to make this happen. The bold listed companies above are the REAL Sytems Integration Designers and creative reason the prpduct works. But, the genious of conceptlies within the dream of it's creator. This should be remempered by ALL HR types evaluating applicants for the "undefinable jobs" that require special talents. Talents gained by experience rather than formal education .
Far from my first iPhone...the decision to upgrade principally driven by the onboard camera quality. However, I find SIRI to be a curious "attribute".
It's something between toy and vanity, I think. It's still a distraction and safety hazard when driving, unable to deal with low s/nR situations in the vehicle, and prompting the occasional expletive.
Perhaps Siri's best attribute is her ability to deal with human frustration...
"****-You" results in Siri admonishing "no need for profanity". My expectations for voice recognition are fairly low, so I wasn't frustrated with the program, just playing with it, at the time. In general, however, I find it to be more a distraction than a tool.
If, however, Siri comes back and says, "I'm sorry, I can't do that, Dave...." I may have to revise my thinking. (with acknowledgement to Stanley Kubrick.)
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