Sony PSP Go Teardown

Oh joy! Oh joy! Guess what we got our hands on this time! Its the brand spanking new Sony PSP Go!

Although the design of the PSP Go is different from previous PSP models, the PSP Go is not intended to replace its much loved older brother, the PSP 3000.

Such an elegant backside... But where is the UMD drive? Let's have a moment of silence. R.I.P. UMD drive, we hardly knew ye.

The PSP Go measures at 128 x 16.5 x 69 mm and weighs in at 5.6 oz (including the internal battery).

Unlike previous PSP models, the PSP Go makes do with 16 GB of internal flash memory.

Oooooh it slides up to reveal the gamepad!

The product label has the usual power requirements and FCC warnings. It appears even Japanese companies have their products manufactured in China.

Removing the necessary screws required to gain access into the innards of the PSP Go.

On this device, all screws are readily accessible and use a common Phillips #0 head. No hidden tabs or tri-wing screws here.

With a non-soldered battery and Phillips head screws, why doesn't Sony approve of DIY battery replacement?

We can think of only one reason: it starts with "cha," and ends with "ching." That's right, the sound of the cash register.

A simple flick of an iPod opening tool and presto!

Ladies and Gentlemen, behold! The inside of the PSP Go.

Unlike the Zune HD or the iPod Classic, the Go uses no metal internal framework. In fact, it has no internal framework; all structural integrity is provided by the plastic outer cases.

We begin our dissection by disconnecting a few connectors and removing a couple screws.

It was clear the board wouldn't come out without first removing the triggers. So we decided to start with the left trigger button.

The trigger button ribbon cables are connected to the board with ZIF connectors; a careful flick with the iPod opening tool released the clamp and freed the ribbon cable.

Firmly stuck to the battery is a trilingual Warranty Void seal. They really covered all bases with this one, as long as you know English, French, or Spanish.

Good news: the battery is not soldered to the board.

Bad news: unfortunately, you have to peel the warranty sticker back to remove the battery.

But more good news: if you're careful, you can remove the battery without disturbing the "VOID" portion of the seal, but we didn't tell you that.

Just slide an iPod opening tool in between the battery and sticker. Work your way gently side-to-side, until the battery is free from the sticker. Presto-changeo!

The battery's a Li-ion 3.7V, 930 mAh, 3.5Wh unit.

Here's how the three major handheld gaming devices stack up in the battery department:

• PSP Go: 930 mAh, unofficially user replaceable
• DSi: 840 mAh, officially user replaceable
• iPod touch 3rd Gen: 789 mAh, unofficially user replacable, requires difficult soldering

The PSP wins on capacity, and the DSi wins on serviceability. The touch, well, if you can't say something nice...

Pull the cosmetic cover away from the bottom edge of the Go, near the audio jack.

Two additional screws secure the joystick to the Go.

Steel covers were placed over the majority of the chips to guard them from electromagnetic interference.