Español
Français
Pусский
繁體中文
简体中文
Select another language
The Apple Watch Series 2 looks all but identical to the newly rechristened “Series 1”- but is it the same on the inside? With added features such as built-in GPS, waterproofing, and a variety of new bands and cases, Apple’s new wearable was destined for the teardown table. It’s time to see if this “ultimate device for a healthy life” has what it takes to go the distance in terms of reparability.
Teardown an… Apple Watch Series 2: STEP 1
With the release of the Apple Watch Series 2, the original
Apple Watch has been replaced with the “Series 1”—a
new model with a snappy dual-core processor. Both
series offer the same set of interchangeable bands for
customisation.
Teardown an… Apple Watch Series 2: STEP 2
We notice that the adhesive is much stronger than what
we found in the 2015 model. We assume this change
is for the purpose of added water resistance. A knife, a
pick, and a spoon full of gumption later and we’re in!
Teardown an… Apple Watch Series 2: STEP 3
Once inside, we find a set of ZIF connectors in place
of the awkward press connectors of yesteryear. Great
news for repair: easily opened and secured connectors
increase the likelihood of a successful fix.
Teardown an… Apple Watch Series 2: STEP 4
We start digging for the battery. Just like the battery
bracket in the iPhone 7 Plus, this piece is held in by a
less-than-friendly tri-point screw. Thankfully, our 64 Bit
Driver Kit is up to the task!
Teardown an… Apple Watch Series 2: STEP 5
The underside of the battery reveals enough adhesive to
hold an iPad screen in place. We pick and prod, peel and
pull the adhesive off the little power pack—with enough
coaxing, it will come clean and reveal its secrets.
Teardown an… Apple Watch Series 2: STEP 6
We get a closer look at the battery. This cell is rated at
3.77 V and 273 mAh to yield a whopping 1.03 Whr of
power. This battery offers a 32% increase in power over
the previous generation—most likely to compensate for
the addition of GPS capability.
Teardown an… Apple Watch Series 2: STEP 7
Taking a plastic opening tool to the rim of the watch
reveals a Force Touch sensor and gasket similar to the
one found in the original model. The Series 2 uses Force
Touch to sense downward pressure on the screen.
Teardown an… Apple Watch Series 2: STEP 8
Next on our disassembly line is the noticeably larger
Taptic Engine. It creates motion in a straight line, which
in turn provides haptic feedback.
Teardown an… Apple Watch Series 2: STEP 9
We inspect the antenna module found tucked away at
the top of the watch. We suspect that its more complicated
look is due to the addition of a GPS antenna. Only
one step away from being an independent instrument
of Pokemon Go...
Teardown an… Apple Watch Series 2: STEP 10
Hiding out on the outer rim, we find a complex cable
assembly—home to the microphone and speaker.
Teardown an… Apple Watch Series 2: STEP 11
Unlike the original Apple Watch’s speaker—which would
simply flood when underwater—this module is designed
to fill with water, then vibrate to pump excess
water from the body of the speaker.
Teardown an… Apple Watch Series 2: STEP 12
There’s one last piece barring us from reaching the
belly of the beast: this ribbon cable assembly, where
the Home Button and Digital Crown encoder reside. We
make use of our Apple Watch Opening Pick to lift the
System in Package (SiP) out of the rear enclosure.
Teardown an… Apple Watch Series 2: STEP 13
And we finally reach the much awaited Apple S2 SiP.
On top of it, we spot a Bosch Sensortec BMP280
Barometric Pressure Sensor, and likely an iteration of
the STMicroelectronics C451 gyroscope + accelerometer
found in the original Apple Watch.
Teardown an… Apple Watch Series 2: STEP 14
All that’s left between us and complete teardown glory
is the sensor array, housed in the watch’s back cover.
The four-sensor array includes infrared sensors, visible-
light LEDS, and photosensors to track your heart
rate throughout the day.
Teardown an… Apple Watch Series 2: STEP 15 - finish
And that’s a wrap! With our Apple Watch torn asunder
on the teardown table we step back to pick up the
pieces - and hope it’s still waterproof when we put it
all back together.
Source: Europa Star TIME.BUSINESS/TIME.KEEPER Dec. 2016 - Jan. 2017
