iPod Nano 3rd Generation Teardown

Teardown

Teardown

Teardowns provide a look inside a device and should not be used as disassembly instructions.

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We disassembled this iPod on September 7, 2007.

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Add Note Edit Step 1 — iPod Nano 3rd Generation Teardown  ¶ 

  • There it is, in the same style box as the last Nano, but quite a bit shorter and wider.

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Add Note Edit Step 2  ¶ 

  • Here's what you'll find in the box:

    • A manual (even smaller than the iPod).

    • The usual, much-maligned headphones.

    • A USB to iPod cable.

    • A dock insert.

    • A brand new iPod.

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Add Note Edit Step 3  ¶ 

  • The growing iPod Nano family.

  • Although the new Nano is shorter and wider than its older siblings, it has approximately the same area (36 square centimeters).

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Add Note Edit Step 4  ¶ 

  • Apple appears to be going in circles. Anodized aluminum, shiny, anodized, shiny...

  • But of course, it's what's inside that counts.

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Add Note Edit Step 5  ¶ 

  • And here's our first look inside this newest Nano.

  • The case has eight locking tabs:

    • Three on the left, evenly spaced.

    • Three on top.

    • Two on the right, near the bottom, to make room for the display circuitry at the upper right.

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Add Note Edit Step 6  ¶ 

  • We've removed six Phillips screws fixing the logic board to the casing.

  • We can now lift the logic board up, but it's still tethered by the visible click wheel cable and the hidden display cable.

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Add Note Edit Step 7  ¶ 

  • We've disconnected the click wheel cable and flipped the board over to disconnect the display cable.

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Add Note Edit Step 8  ¶ 

  • Now we use a spudger to pry up the display, which is held along the case's edge by an adhesive strip.

  • The first generation Nano's display was attached in exactly the same way. If you're not careful when prying it up, you may crack it.

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Add Note Edit Step 9  ¶ 

  • We're noticing a strong trend as we take apart this iPod: adhesive.

  • The click wheel is held in place by nothing but a very strong adhesive, which is going to make replacing it difficult. You'll have to get it to stay in place as well as Apple has (i.e. very well).

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Add Note Edit Step 10  ¶ 

  • Here the battery is out of its metal housing, which is attached to the logic board by, that's right, adhesive.

  • The battery is attached to the logic board by three through-hole solder points, as in the second generation Nano (sorry, no easy replacements).

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Add Note Edit Step 11  ¶ 

  • And here's everything together again, but apart.

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Add Note Edit Step 12  ¶ 

  • A close-up of the logic board's top, which sports an eight gigabyte Samsung flash memory chip and headphone jack.

  • The headphone jack is soldered to the logic board, as in the first generation Nano, but not in the second.

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Add Note Edit Step 13  ¶ 

  • A close-up of the logic board's bottom.

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Add Note Edit Step 14  ¶ 

  • And it still works! Now, having satisfied our curiosity, we can put some music on it.

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