iPod shuffle 3rd Generation Teardown

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!