iPhone 8 Plus Teardown

Introduction

Apple skipped the "S" update for the iPhone, so we're skipping a few time zones to bring you this teardown. We're in Sydney, Australia, at Circuitwise, to tear down the iPhone 8 (and the 8 Plus!) as quickly as possible. It's time to find out if Apple is playing catch-up with Samsung's Galaxy S8 and version numbers, or if the glass back and wireless charging are truly game-changers. Let's crack it open, front to back!

Come for the teardown, stay for the helpful repair!

Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for the latest repair information!

An exploded view of the iPhone 8 Plus components laid out flat, showing the display, logic board, battery, cameras, frame, and various internal parts.

Tools Required

• P2 Pentalobe Screwdriver iPhone (1)
• iOpener (1)
• iSclack (1)
• iFixit Opening Picks set of 6 (1)
• Phillips #000 Screwdriver (1)
• Tri-point Y000 Screwdriver Bit (1)
• Tweezers (1)
• Spudger (1)
• Curved Razor Blade (1)

Step 1 - iPhone 8 Plus Teardown

The iPhone 8 has some flashy new tech, but is it enough to justify the version bump? You be the judge:

• A11 Bionic chip with M11 motion coprocessor
• 64 GB or 256 GB onboard storage
• 4.7-inch IPS Multi-Touch Retina HD display with 1334 × 750 resolution (326 ppi)
• 12 MP camera with f/1.8 aperture, optical image stabilization, and 5x digital zoom
• 7 MP FaceTime HD camera with f/2.2 aperture and 1080p HD recording
• Supports fast charging and Qi wireless charging
• 802.11a/b/g/n/ac Wi-Fi with MIMO + Bluetooth 5.0 + NFC

An image of the iPhone 8 device with the 'TEARDOWN' logo, alongside a list of its technical specifications.

Step 2 - Exterior

As we begin our teardown in Sydney, Australia, a familiar face greets us. Highlights include:

• Solid-state Home button with Touch ID fingerprint sensor.
• An IPS display similar to the iPhone 7 (now with True Tone functionality).
• The back features Apple's new gorgeous glass finish, treated with a seven-layer color process. Apple claims this back panel is reinforced with a "laser-welded steel and copper structure," but only time and durability tests will tell if this phone is prone to cracking—or another Bendgate.
• ? The model number is still uncertain, and there's no wheely-bin graphic.

Finally, before we begin disassembly, we place the new gold iPhone 8 side-by-side with last year's Rose Gold 6s. Apple has refined this design, toning down the pink slightly, making it sleeker (and even sleeker!).

Three images showing the front and back of the iPhone 8, and a comparison shot of the iPhone 8 next to a Rose Gold iPhone 6s.

Step 3 - X-ray View

Before we dive in, let's take an X-ray!

• Our friends at Creative Electron in Australia hooked us up with some awesome preview photos.
• The seamless back gives us a peek at the complex internals. First thing we notice is the new wireless charging coil!
• We'll get to that later. For now, let's take off our X-ray goggles to plan our attack.
• You don't need X-ray vision to see the model number on the back of this phone—it's on the rose gold box: A1863!
• Apple seems to have gone all-in on cleaning up the iPhone's backside. Therefore, we suspect you won't find a cute ID card in the SIM tray.

An X-ray image of the iPhone 8 showing its internal components, and an image of the iPhone 8 box.

Step 4 - Opening the Device

It's time to start the teardown. After removing the Pentalobe screws, we need a little heat to tackle the waterproof display seal.

• ? The iOpener did its job! The seal is softened. Next, we grab our iSclack from the toolkit to apply some leverage, and use our opening picks to slice through the adhesive.
• ? Dejà vu?
• ...We're experiencing it now! At first glance, nothing new—yet. But we've only just scratched the surface of the glass.

Three images demonstrating the process of opening the iPhone 8: applying heat with an iOpener, using an iSclack tool, and prying open the display with picks.

Step 5 - Display Removal

Opening this display reveals familiar display cable brackets. Plus, we're happy to find friendly Phillips #000 screws instead of the dreaded tri-point ones.

• Tri-point screws, we can honestly say we won't miss you.
• We disconnect a few cables—specifically the battery, display, and home button cables—and the display is free!
• Note the absence of the pentalobe tab gasket on the display, found on the previous iPhone 7.
• ❓ But both the iPhone 7 and iPhone 8 are IP67 water-resistant. How are the seals still holding up!?

Three images showing the iPhone 8 display being separated, the display cable bracket, and the disconnected cables.

Step 6 - Battery Removal

We pull on the battery's stretch-release adhesive strips, and discover there are two more familiar strips.

• No worries—we enlist the help of one (or two!) hands to remove all four strips at once!
• ? This procedure requires significant experience gained from playing with Stretch Armstrong figures.
• Pull on the tabs to easily remove the battery.

Three images showing the battery removal process, including pulling adhesive strips.

Step 7 - Battery Details

Now that this interesting battery pack is out, we can compare it to batteries from other manufacturers!

• At full charge, this 3.82V, 1821mAh cell provides up to 6.96Wh of power.
• ? When comparing Apple to Apple, the iPhone 7 has a 7.45Wh battery.
• ? For a similar spec comparison, the Galaxy S8 packs an 11.55Wh battery.
• Before you jump for joy about battery news: Despite the capacity reduction, Apple claims the battery life is comparable to last year's model.

Images of the iPhone 8 battery pack, showing its specifications and markings.

Step 8 - Camera Removal

We remove the main camera to access the logic board.

• The iPhone 8 features the same f/1.8, 6-element lens as the iPhone 7, but everything else about the camera is new and improved.
• The 8's sensor is larger than the 7's, though the resolution is the same 12MP. This means larger individual pixels—letting in more light, improving color, and reducing noise.
• Wait, there's more! The improved image processing software shows Apple still has a few tricks up its sleeve.
• We've seen it before, but couldn't see it with the naked eye! A great X-ray reveals magnets in all four corners of the camera—this camera provides its own stabilization using OIS.

Three images related to the main camera removal: a close-up of the camera module, the camera removed from the logic board, and an X-ray view highlighting magnets.

Step 9 - Lightning Port and Taptic Engine

Our continued exploration reveals some quirky cables and brackets!

• First up: A new Lightning port bracket reinforces the new peach-colored port and houses the Taptic engine.
• We've been happily proceeding with Phillips screws so far—but alas, all good things must come to an end. When removing this bracket, we encounter our first tri-point screw. Don't worry, the 3-point screw is no match for our 64-bit driver kit!
• The new colored Lightning port seems to be made of heat-dissipating plastic for safer, faster charging. (Or perhaps, it's just color-matched to the chassis.)
• Next: The peculiar speaker and antenna cable.
• Finally: The Taptic Engine sits in a nest of small, annoying connectors.

Three images showing the removal of the Lightning port bracket and Taptic Engine components.

Step 10 - Logic Board Access

The last barrier to the logic board is a tiny hidden screw, trapped beneath the waterproof silicone seal!

• Logic board removal gets another assist from Jumpy!
• Setting aside the kangaroo-shaped, chicken-flavored snacks, we hope you're not jumpy about the iPhone X. Reports suggest production won't start until mid-October—meaning the 8 could be an early upgrade and the choice for the Apple Upgrade Program.

Two images showing the logic board being accessed and removed from the iPhone 8 chassis.

Step 11 - Chip Identification

Drumroll please—it's chip time! A special thanks to TechInsights for helping us identify this silicon:

• SK Hynix H9HKNNNBRMMUUR 2GB LPDDR4x RAM sits atop the Apple 339S00434 A11 Bionic SoC
• Qualcomm MDM9655 Snapdragon X16 LTE modem
• Skyworks SkyOne SKY78140
• Avago 8072JD130
• P215 730N71T—likely an envelope tracking IC
• Skyworks 77366-17 quad-band GSM power amplifier module
• NXP 80V18 secure NFC module

Three images of the logic board with different sections highlighted in various colors, indicating chip locations. One image shows the 'Tech Insights' logo.

Step 12 - Rear Logic Board Components

And on the back:

• Apple/USI 170804 339S00397 WiFi/Bluetooth module
• Apple 338S00248, 338S00309 PMIC and S3830028
• Toshiba TSBL227VC3759 64GB NAND flash storage
• Qualcomm WTR5975 Gigabit LTE RF transceiver and PMD9655 PMIC
• Broadcom 59355—BCM59350 wireless charging IC
• NXP 1612A1—likely a 1610 tristar IC
• Skyworks 3760 3576 1732 RF Switch and SKY762-21 247296 1734 RF Switch

Two images of the back of the logic board, showing various chips and components.

Step 13 - Speaker and Barometric Vent

Lifting out the logic board, we reach the plastic bits. Today's bits include the speaker and the barometric vent.

• ? As learned last year, this barometric vent maintains the water-resistant seal and allows the iPhone to accurately measure altitude.
• Another small upgrade: Apple claims the iPhone 8 speaker is 25% louder—though there's debate on whether the difference is significant.
• Twelve speaker holes, same as the 7, are found on the bottom of this iPhone.
• We also find familiar water-resistant seals and small rubber gaskets.

Three images showing the removal of the speaker and barometric vent assembly from the iPhone 8.

Step 14 - Rear Case and Wireless Charging Coil

The rear case is less cluttered, but still leaves us with a few lingering questions.

• The peach-colored Lightning connector seems slightly changed from the iPhone 7. The Desert camo color scheme is distracting, but we've found a new form factor. Perhaps better water and dust resistance?
• We peel off the black tape, then the copper tape, and then... wait...
• This isn't just black tape, it's the mysterious Apple-branded Qi ("chee/chi" pronunciation)—wireless charging coil!
• ? This coil generates alternating current using oscillating magnetic fields. That current is then converted to direct current—magic juice that fuels the battery.

Three images showing the rear case of the iPhone 8, the Lightning connector, and the wireless charging coil.

Step 15 - Rear Glass Removal

We attempt to remove the rear glass, working with plenty of heat and moisture before sliding a blade under the reinforcement panel.

• With some effort, we finally separate the 7-layer glass sandwich from the mid-frame.
• ? This isn't quite what we expected when Apple introduced the glass as being stronger.
• This process slightly warps the rear panel—Apple might know how to proceed, but they're keeping it a secret...
• And no, we didn't teach a snail to figure skate on the back—it's adhesive. Lots of it.
• ? This side-by-side photo reminds us of recent findings.

Three images demonstrating the process of removing the rear glass panel of the iPhone 8, involving heat and prying.

Step 16 - Final Components

Finally, we return to the familiar display to remove the last few components.

• Farewell, Home button.
• Farewell, front sensor cable.
• Farewell, LCD shield.
• Ah, and a small chip we couldn't identify.
• ? Once again, the ambient light sensor is covered by a color filter, likely supporting the True Tone system.

Three images showing the removal of final components like the display, home button, and sensor cables.

Step 17 - Acknowledgements

That's all for now! At least for today—we'll have more words and pictures in a few days!

• A big thanks to Circuitwise for inviting us to their nice facility in Sydney. (Seriously, check out their helpful soldering videos.)
• Huge thanks to the Creative Electron team for their X-ray support!

Logos of iFixit, Circuitwise, and Creative Electron.

Step 18 - Final Conclusion & Repairability Score

The iPhone 8 earns a 6 out of 10 on the repairability scale (10 is easiest to repair):

• The two most commonly replaced parts, the display and battery, are easily accessible with the right knowledge and tools.
• The addition of wireless charging reduces strain on the Lightning port, a common point of failure.
• Water and dust-resistant seals make repairs more complex but reduce the need for difficult water damage repairs.
• The battery connector still uses Phillips/JIS screws, but requires up to four different drivers for various repairs.
• The durability of the glass back remains to be seen—though replacement can be very difficult.
• The bottom components of the iPhone were once easily accessible, but are now hidden beneath a tricky combination of brackets and delicately folded flex cables.

An image of the iPhone 8 Repairability Score gauge, showing a score of 6 out of 10.