Skip to main content

What you need

This teardown is not a repair guide. To repair your iPod shuffle 3rd Generation, use our service manual.

  1. iPod shuffle 3rd Generation Special Edition Teardown, iPod shuffle 3rd Generation Special Edition Teardown: step 1, image 1 of 3 iPod shuffle 3rd Generation Special Edition Teardown, iPod shuffle 3rd Generation Special Edition Teardown: step 1, image 2 of 3 iPod shuffle 3rd Generation Special Edition Teardown, iPod shuffle 3rd Generation Special Edition Teardown: step 1, image 3 of 3
    • If you like shiny things, Apple has an iPod for you. It's like getting a free mirror! And it's only $20 extra.

    • Sadly, the shuffle doesn't come with matching shiny headphones.

    • Contrary to Apple's typical claims of "smaller packaging to save the environment," this iPod's packaging is 65% larger than the original 3rd Gen shuffle.

  2. iPod shuffle 3rd Generation Special Edition Teardown: step 2, image 1 of 2 iPod shuffle 3rd Generation Special Edition Teardown: step 2, image 2 of 2
    • We've already taken apart one of these little guys, but we wanted to see what makes the special edition so special.

    • At least until we use it, the mirror-finish reflects beautifully. With the help of the new shuffle, our camera can do a self-portrait.

  3. iPod shuffle 3rd Generation Special Edition Teardown: step 3, image 1 of 1
    Tool used on this step:
    1.5" Thin Putty Knife
    $6.99
    Buy
    • This picture makes things look easy. The picture is a lie. This picture comes after about an hour of frustration trying to open this iPod.

    • We finally used a putty knife and an excessive amount of force to pry the iPod open.

    • The new shuffle weighs in at 17.2 grams, nearly 61% more than the 10.7 gram aluminum shuffle.

    • That means you can buy special edition shuffles for only $2,613 per pound, while the regular shuffle will set you back $3,352 per pound.

  4. iPod shuffle 3rd Generation Special Edition Teardown: step 4, image 1 of 1
    • Here are the normal (left) and special edition shuffles. Not a surprise, but not much new to see here.

    • This shouldn't come as a surprise, but the new shuffle is a lot heavier. It is steel after all.

    • The new shuffle weighs in at 17.2 grams, nearly 61% more than the 10.7 gram aluminum shuffle.

    • That means you can buy special edition shuffles for only $2,613 per pound, while the regular shuffle will set you back $3,352 per pound.

  5. iPod shuffle 3rd Generation Special Edition Teardown: step 5, image 1 of 1
    • The most daunting task of this procedure....removing the one single screw.

    • The black 3rd generation had a black screw, while our silver special edition had a silver screw. It looks like Apple gives you matching screws.

  6. iPod shuffle 3rd Generation Special Edition Teardown: step 6, image 1 of 2 iPod shuffle 3rd Generation Special Edition Teardown: step 6, image 2 of 2
    • Prying the logic board and battery out with the flat end of a spudger.

    • Things don't appear different here. The battery is still a tiny 0.27 watt-hours.

  7. iPod shuffle 3rd Generation Special Edition Teardown: step 7, image 1 of 1
    • The internal parts and the stainless steel case seperated.

    • After removing the internals, the stainless steel casing weighs 12 grams. That doesn't seem like much, except that the iPod itself only weighs 5 grams. Over 70% of this iPod's weight comes from its shell!

0 Comments

Add Comment

View Statistics:

Past 24 Hours: 1

Past 7 Days: 8

Past 30 Days: 51

All Time: 40,300