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This teardown is not a repair guide. To repair your Apple TV 4th Generation, use our service manual.

  1. Apple TV 4th Generation Teardown, Apple TV 4th Generation Teardown: step 1, image 1 of 3 Apple TV 4th Generation Teardown, Apple TV 4th Generation Teardown: step 1, image 2 of 3 Apple TV 4th Generation Teardown, Apple TV 4th Generation Teardown: step 1, image 3 of 3
    • We like to start with some specs, and in this case a lot of the good stuff is packed into the fancypants new remote. The box itself contains:

    • Dual-core, 64-bit Apple A8 chip

    • Ethernet, 802.11a/b/g/n/ac Wi-Fi, IR receiver, and HDMI 1.4 connectivity

    • ...whilst the remote is packing:

    • Glass Touch surface

    • Dual microphones

    • Accelerometer and gyroscope

    • Bluetooth 4.0, IR transmitter, Lightning connector

  2. Apple TV 4th Generation Teardown: step 2, image 1 of 3 Apple TV 4th Generation Teardown: step 2, image 2 of 3 Apple TV 4th Generation Teardown: step 2, image 3 of 3
    • The Apple TV has really packed on some pounds since its last iteration.

    • It seems to have lost a port in the process—the optical audio out has gone MIA.

    • Meanwhile, the micro-USB port has morphed into a USB-C port. It doesn't bring anything new for end users, though—it's still for diagnostic and service functions only.

    • Our teardown engineers go to work on the Apple TV and quickly find access through the bottom of the device—similar to the 3rd generation Apple TV.

    • Only a few plastic clips stand in the way here, with no adhesive or screws in sight.

  3. Apple TV 4th Generation Teardown: step 3, image 1 of 3 Apple TV 4th Generation Teardown: step 3, image 2 of 3 Apple TV 4th Generation Teardown: step 3, image 3 of 3
    • Under the hood, we spy a few Torx screws.

    • We take our Pro Tech Screwdriver Set out for a quick spin to release the combo heat sink/EMI shield.

    • By the looks of it, this plate also serves as a bracket, giving the clips on the lower case something to latch onto. That's three functions in one component, folks.

  4. Apple TV 4th Generation Teardown: step 4, image 1 of 2 Apple TV 4th Generation Teardown: step 4, image 2 of 2
    • Here are some chips to go with your TV:

    • Apple A8 APL1011 SoC, with SK Hynix H9CKNNNBKTBRWR-NTH 2 GB LPDDR3 SDRAM

    • Universal Scientific Industrial 339S00045 Wi-Fi module

    • SMSC LAN9730 USB 2.0 to 10/100 Ethernet controller

    • Apple 338S00057 (similar part number to the 338S00055 custom memory controller found in the Retina MacBook 2015) (power management IC)

    • Kinetic Technologies (formerly MegaChips) MCDP2700A1 DisplayPort-to-HDMI converter

    • Texas Instruments TPS62130A 3 A step-down converter

    • Fairchild Semiconductor DF25AU 010D 030D MOSFET

  5. Apple TV 4th Generation Teardown: step 5, image 1 of 1
    • More chips on the bottom of the logic board:

    • SK Hynix H2JTEG8VD1BMR 32 GB NAND flash memory

    • NXP Semiconductor CBTL01112 multiplexer/demultiplexer switch (likely)

    • Texas Instruments MSP430V301 16-bit microcontroller

    • Texas Instruments INA213 current sense amplifier

    • ON Semiconductor LMV331SQ3T2G single comparator

    • Texas Instruments CD3255 power monitor (likely)

    • Nexperia (formerly NXP Semiconductor) 74LVC1G157GV single 2-input multiplexer

  6. Apple TV 4th Generation Teardown: step 6, image 1 of 2 Apple TV 4th Generation Teardown: step 6, image 2 of 2
    • IC Identification, continued:

    • Renesas (formerly Intersil) ISL95870AHRUZ-T PWM DC-DC controller

    • Texas Instruments TPS715A01 80 mA / adj. LDO regulator

    • Diodes Incorporated 74LVC1G125FW5-7 non-inverting buffer/bus driver

    • Diodes Incorporated 74LVC2G07FW4-7 dual buffer gate

  7. Apple TV 4th Generation Teardown: step 7, image 1 of 3 Apple TV 4th Generation Teardown: step 7, image 2 of 3 Apple TV 4th Generation Teardown: step 7, image 3 of 3
    • Last to come out of the box: a great big chunky heat sink with a cute little power supply board tucked away inside.

    • Heat rises, so this heat-generating component lives on top of the stack, with the heat-sensitive logic board beneath.

    • The redesigned power supply is rated at 12 V at 0.917 A. Compare that to the 3rd-gen Apple TV's main reactor, which pumped out 3.4 V at 1.75 A.

    • We noticed a distinct lack of cables connecting the power supply to the logic board. We're theorizing the power is either transmitted by magic, or through the heat sink screw posts.

    • And as a fun bonus, some chips:

    • NXP Semiconductor TEA1738LT switch mode power supply controller

    • Toshiba TLP291 photocoupler

    • STMicroelectronics STF6N65M2 650 V N-channel MOSFET

  8. Apple TV 4th Generation Teardown: step 8, image 1 of 3 Apple TV 4th Generation Teardown: step 8, image 2 of 3 Apple TV 4th Generation Teardown: step 8, image 3 of 3
    • Behold, the new Siri Remote! Featuring dual microphones, a Glass Touch surface, and a Lightning connector, this remote is definitely a bit more complex than the Apple Remote of yesteryear.

    • Apple also packed in an accelerometer and gyroscope, which they hope you'll use to play games—and browse Airbnb.

    • With Bluetooth 4.0, the new Remote doesn't need direct line-of-sight with your TV.

    • That is, unless you want to control your actual TV. Apple points out that the remote for their new TV can also control a television or A/V receiver.

  9. Apple TV 4th Generation Teardown: step 9, image 1 of 3 Apple TV 4th Generation Teardown: step 9, image 2 of 3 Apple TV 4th Generation Teardown: step 9, image 3 of 3
    Tool used on this step:
    iOpener
    $19.99
    Buy
    • We found where Apple was hiding all the adhesive! Looks like our iOpener and pick don't get the day off after all.

    • The entire top end of the remote is a giant button. Beneath it lies a gap that gives us a nice, consistent groove to pick apart.

    • "Hey, Siri—say Ahhhh."

    • If only it was that easy... Actually, it was pretty easy. It seems there's a first for everything!

  10. Apple TV 4th Generation Teardown: step 10, image 1 of 3 Apple TV 4th Generation Teardown: step 10, image 2 of 3 Apple TV 4th Generation Teardown: step 10, image 3 of 3
    Tool used on this step:
    Spudger
    $2.99
    Buy
    • We're suddenly having flashbacks to the iPhone 5s. The top half is connected by a ribbon cable, hidden in the center of the device.

    • Our in-house EOD expert gets to work with a spudger and carefully disarms the trap.

    • With the top and bottom separated we notice a hidden yin yang motif. That's so zen of you, Apple.

  11. Apple TV 4th Generation Teardown: step 11, image 1 of 3 Apple TV 4th Generation Teardown: step 11, image 2 of 3 Apple TV 4th Generation Teardown: step 11, image 3 of 3
    • OICURAQT—That's what we say whenever we identify an IC, like the ones on this logic board:

    • ST Microelectronics STM32L 151QD ultra-low-power ARM Cortex-M3 MCU

    • Broadcom BCM5976C1KUB6G touch screen controller (as seen in the iPhone 5s/5c and iPad Air)

    • CSR (Qualcomm) CSR1010 Bluetooth radio

    • Texas Instruments TMS320C5545 ultra-low-power digital signal processor

    • STMicroelectronics STMLS05 5-channel PMOS load switches

    • InvenSense ITG-3600 3-axis gyroscope

    • Texas Instruments BQ24250C battery charger and TI 49C37GI

  12. Apple TV 4th Generation Teardown: step 12, image 1 of 2 Apple TV 4th Generation Teardown: step 12, image 2 of 2
    • Chip identification, continued:

    • Analog Devices ADAU7002 audio converter

    • AKM Semiconductor AK8963 3-axis electronic compass

    • Bosch Sensortec BMA282 accelerometer

    • ON Semiconductor memory (likely)

    • Texas Instruments TPS61220 boost converter

    • ON Semiconductor NCP335FCT2G 2 A load switch

    • Diodes Incorporated 74LVC1G58FW4 Configurable Multi-function Gate

  13. Apple TV 4th Generation Teardown: step 13, image 1 of 2 Apple TV 4th Generation Teardown: step 13, image 2 of 2
    • Look at that! A ZIF connected Lightning port cable.

    • If Apple can pack a ZIF connector into a tiny remote like this then why is the iPad Lightning port soldered to the logic board?

    • Answer: Apple proprietary secret.

    • With just a bit of glue to pick apart, the Lightning cable/battery is out in a flash.

  14. Apple TV 4th Generation Teardown: step 14, image 1 of 3 Apple TV 4th Generation Teardown: step 14, image 2 of 3 Apple TV 4th Generation Teardown: step 14, image 3 of 3
    • With the Lightning port/battery assembly free of the remote, we see that the battery is soldered to the Lightning port.

    • While we've never been a fan of soldered-on batteries, at least the Lightning port isn't soldered to the logic board!

    • Because this 410 mAh battery is rechargeable, you'll never scramble to find batteries for your TV remote again. Thanks, Apple!

    • At least not until it dies and you need to replace it.

    • And hiding out at the base of the flex cable are two ABLIC, Inc battery protection chips.

  15. Apple TV 4th Generation Teardown: step 15, image 1 of 3 Apple TV 4th Generation Teardown: step 15, image 2 of 3 Apple TV 4th Generation Teardown: step 15, image 3 of 3
    • Apple TV (4th Generation) Repairability: 8 out of 10 (10 is easiest to repair).

    • Modular construction and only a few major components simplifies repair.

    • The power supply is a separate, replaceable component, and even its AC-in jack is modular.

    • Standard Torx screws used throughout, nothing proprietary.

    • The remote is held together with adhesive, but a wide gap makes it easy to pry apart.

    • The remote's battery and Lightning cable are soldered together—but not to anything else, so they should be an inexpensive component to replace.

    • Everything important is soldered to the logic board, meaning replacement or board-level soldering is required to solve port problems.

    • And that's a wrap. See you for an iPhone teardown down under! G'day, mate!

31 Comments

Going from 3.4v to 12v! I have to wonder now what that A8 SoC is clocked at!

Brian - Reply

Geekbench shows all the Apple TV's at 1GHz apart from an outlier at 1.5GHz

http://browser.primatelabs.com/geekbench...

That suggests it's running at 1.5GHz...

name99 -

The 1.5 GHz one was recorded in 09. The heatsink is probably only there because there's a big AC-DC transformer on top of the apple tv. Odds are it's clocked in a similar fashion to the A8 in the iPad Mini 4

Kevin Connell -

Looks like a different design group worked on this. If it were Jonathan Ive's work it would have that iMac method of carving the case out of a chunk of aluminum and welding it shut with adhesive throughout.

Funny though - here's a device that is easy to get into, but one really doesn't need to whereas the iMac is something one might want to upgrade, but can't get into easily.

Terry Davis - Reply

@name99 The 1.5 gHz geekbench benchmark is actually on an overclocked first generation Apple TV, back in 2009.

Robert Nixon - Reply

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