iPhone 12 mini Teardown
Duration: 45 minutes
Steps: 16 Steps
The mini is here! It’s time for another iPhone 12 teardown — and while this phone might be pint-sized, our teardown is anything but! So epic, we had to break it into two parts! We even spilled the beans on all the differences in chips and 5G hardware between the US models and those for our friends across the pond in the EU. (Spoiler alert: we took apart both.) Meanwhile, it’s a whale of a teardown week! Grab your harpoons and dive into our Xbox Series X teardown, check out the PlayStation 5/Xbox comparison, and enjoy loads of live video teardowns. And if that’s still not enough for you, don’t miss the complete iPhone 12 Pro Max teardown. Feeling a bit swamped by all the new tech? Focus on what really counts! We’ve compiled a list of our favorite gifts — from our workshop to yours — to keep the spirit of repair alive and kicking. Want to join the community vibe? Stay connected with our YouTube channel, Instagram, or Twitter for all the latest adventures, or sign up for our newsletter to stay in the loop.
Step 1
- Sometimes impressive capabilities come in compact forms, and this device is a prime example! We’ve got our hands on both the US and EU models to ensure we cover all the bases:
- A14 Bionic chip boasting a fourth-generation Neural Engine
- 5.4-inch (2340 × 1080 pixels) Super Retina XDR OLED display featuring True Tone and HDR
- Dual 12 MP camera system with ultra-wide angle (ƒ/2.4) and wide angle (ƒ/1.6) lenses
- Storage options of 64, 128, or 256 GB
- 5G connectivity (sub-6 GHz and mmWave) along with 4x4 MIMO LTE, 802.11ax Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.0, and ultra-wide band (UWB)
- MagSafe 12 W wireless charging capabilities
- IP68 rating, making it water-resistant up to 6 meters for a maximum of 30 minutes
Step 2
Check out this lineup of iPhones, ranging from compact to supersized: iPhone 4, SE 2020, 12 mini, 12, and 12 Pro Max—each showing off its unique shape and style. Ready to get hands-on with repairs across the spectrum!
- iPhones are all about going big these days—no more tiny phones, and it seems like big just keeps getting bigger. The trend is undeniable, even if some of us still wish for the good old compact days.
- But, just to clarify, the slightly smaller size of some models doesn't mean we've got the headphone jack back. Yep, it's still MIA—RIP to the classic.
- The iPhone 12 mini does have a cool new twist though: a little more asymmetry in the grille design (probably not the biggest fan of this, but hey, it’s different). Looks like that smaller frame needs a bit more room for the antenna band.
- Just like with other iPhones 12, you'll notice a small mmWave window on the side of the US models, while the EU versions sport some unique regulatory markings.
Step 3
- iPhone designs may evolve, but the trusty Pentalobe screws stay the same. Luckily, our toolkit comes packed with all the bits you’ll need to tackle them.
- Just like its big siblings, the iPhone 12 mini’s screen is stuck down with some seriously tough adhesive. But don’t worry—heat and the trusty suction cups are all you need to break that bond.
- Once the Pentalobe screws are out and the adhesive is sliced, the display opens just like we’ve seen with the iPhone 12 and 12 Pro—simple and easy, just a lefty-loosey move.
- Hold up... that toolkit looks suspiciously mini! Could a compact, on-the-go toolkit be coming soon from our workshop? Stay tuned!
Step 4
This compact non-Pro iPhone surprises with a stellar display. It sports a 5.4-inch OLED screen with a crisp 2340 x 1080 resolution, all protected by Apple's tough Ceramic Shield glass.
- Alright, we’ve wrapped up 'Operation'—now let’s play a quick round of 'Spot the Difference.' Here’s what stands out compared to the standard 12:
- The top sensor setup (with speaker, Face ID, and sensors) has slimmed down to fit its new, cozier spot.
- You’ll find two display cables here instead of the usual three.
- The battery, Taptic Engine, and loudspeaker have all been trimmed down to size.
- Some display hardware decided to move to a new neighborhood.
Step 5
No plastic spacers here! We sort of expected that in the bigger iPhone 12, but the mini? Every square inch counts. There's simply no room to waste.
We love the extra camera in this tiny phone, but it might have come at the cost of an already short battery life. Still, it's hard to be mad at this little champ.
- Well, well, well! Look who's stepping up the camera game with 'más' in a 'menos' iPhone! It's quite the sight to behold, especially if they didn't skimp on quality along the way.
- Check out the mini camera on the left! It sports the same ƒ/1.6 wide-angle and ƒ/2.4 ultra wide-angle lenses as the regular iPhone 12 on the right. And guess what? The wide-angle module even comes with optical image stabilization (OIS)—and yes, we've got the X-rays to back it up!
- Here's a silver lining: our tests show that camera replacements are hitting all the right notes! So far, the mini doesn't seem to share the regular iPhone 12's troublesome camera repair issues.
Step 6
We thought the 12 and 12 Pro might squeeze in a headphone jack, but the mini’s Taptic Engine and speaker are packed in tight—no room to spare here.
- Once you remove the speaker, you'll spot the familiar 12-series-style orange gasket, now adding a little festive touch to the mix.
- We were already impressed by the compact Taptic Engine, but wait—this mini version takes small to a whole new level.
- This super-slim Taptic Engine measures just 15.14mm x 10.9mm x 3.44mm—25% smaller than the one in the 12 and 12 Pro models. It's a real pocket-sized wonder.
- And with all that extra room? A nice, beefy cable and socket find their home, giving everything a bit more space to breathe.
Step 7
Even though the battery connectors are identical to those of the iPhone 12 Pro Max, the Pro Max battery packs a bit too much punch for the mini to handle comfortably.
- Grab those tweezers and give a gentle tug! These standard stretch release tabs might look a bit oversized for their cozy little spot, but don't worry, we've got the strength for this tiny operation.
- This mini battery packs a surprising 8.57 Wh of power. That's even more juice than the iPhone SE 2020's 6.96 Wh, though it's a tad shy of the 10.78 Wh found in the standard 12 it's perched atop.
- While its larger siblings boast 15 W wireless charging, this mini is a bit more laid-back, sipping power at a reasonable 12 W.
- But fear not, all four phones can supercharge their batteries with a speedy 20 W fast charging when plugged in. Just remember, wireless charging isn't always the best option.
Tools Used
Step 8
The usual MagSafe circle is a bit too big for this tiny phone, so the sides have been trimmed down to fit just right.
- Guess who's back from a well-deserved catnap? That's right, it's us! But the superheroes at Creative Electron are here to save the day with this awesome X-ray.
- So, what do we have here? As always, those dark areas are the heavy hitters, often magnetic parts of your device, specifically:
- And check this out: the MagSafe ring has been shrunk down... sort of.
- But what about those dense spots in the upper sensor array? It's time for some sleuthing!
- We've got OIS magnets hanging out on the lower camera, earpiece, and loudspeakers, plus that tiny Taptic Engine.
Step 9
Heads up! The US board has a mmWave antenna flex cable snugly soldered to its underside (which we took care of off-stage). So, US fixers, take it easy—no need to pull the board out with brute force!
The logic board is ready to make its grand exit from its cozy little nook along the left edge, just like its 12er buddies, making way for those impressive rear-facing cameras on the right side.
- It looks like the US version of the iPhone got a little extra love, with some added mystery compared to the EU edition. Curious, right?
- Remember those curious squares we found during our iPhone 12 teardown? They're tucked away snugly between the Face ID camera modules. It’s almost like finding a secret compartment you didn’t know existed!
- The fact that these squares aren't in the EU model hints that they might be part of a third mmWave antenna (although it doesn't quite match the typical mmWave designs we're familiar with). We even tried some X-ray magic, but no secrets were spilled.
- Now, you’ve got to wonder – did someone at Apple spend their year shrinking the ambient light sensor to fit everything in such a compact space? Where did it vanish to?
Step 10
- Let's take a look at these logic board sandwiches. For reference, the US version is on top in the images, and the EU version is below. (No deep meaning here—just how the chips landed.)
- First, let's talk about the similarities. The upper sections of both the US and EU boards are the same, with chips spread out in identical patterns on both sides.
- Now, the lower sections are a bit more interesting. (Just a heads-up, SIM readers are the same, though we only desoldered it from the US version.) Here's where the US board starts to get fancy with that mmWave tech:
- An additional socket that connects to the front mmWave antenna we mentioned earlier.
- A Murata 1XR-482 mmWave front-end module.
- A Qualcomm SMR526 intermediate frequency IC, working with Qualcomm's SDX55M 5G modem.
- Another mmWave antenna right on the board itself.
- A flex cable soldered onto this patch, connecting to the side-edge mmWave antenna.
Step 11
- Now that we’ve survived the US vs. EU sandwich showdown, let’s dig into the layers of American silicon goodness:
- Apple’s APL1W01 A14 Bionic SoC is hiding under a cozy blanket of Micron MT53D512M64D4UA-046 XT:F 4 GB LPDDR4 SDRAM (yep, same setup as the iPhone 12/12 Pro).
- 1UED—likely a U1 ultra-wideband chip, keeping pace with the usual USI chip you’d spot in other iPhones.
- STMicroelectronics STWPA1-3033ABM wireless charging IC is here, probably in the same family as the STWBC-EP chip.
- KIC M224 BE0408 TWNA 12031, serving up 64 GB of Kioxia NAND flash memory.
- Qualcomm SDR865 handling your 5G and LTE transceiver duties.
- Qualcomm SDX55M 5G modem-RF system, plus SMR526 intermediate frequency IC, bringing the connectivity magic.
- Apple APL1094 power management IC, keeping everything running smoothly.
Step 12
- Processor PCB IC identification continued:
- Texas Instruments SN2611A0: Your Li-Ion battery's best friend, making sure it charges up safely.
- Apple/Cirrus Logic 338S00537: The heart of your device's sound system, bringing crisp mono audio to life.
- Apple/Cirrus Logic Unknown Audio Codec: It’s a mystery, but it’s the magic behind your device’s audio experience.
- NXP Semiconductor CBTL1614A1: This little guy’s handling the display port multiplexing like a pro.
- Samsung S2DOS24: Power management for your display, keeping everything running smoothly without breaking a sweat.
- Apple 338S00564-B0 ?: Power management that’s as quiet as it is efficient, keeping things running without a hitch.
- Texas Instruments LM3562A1: LED driver that makes sure your screen stays bright and beautiful.
Step 13
- A little extra US silicon for your device:
- Murata 1XR-482 mmWave front-end module
- Murata 583 and Skyworks 53807 diversity receive modules
- USI 339S00761 WLAN / Bluetooth module
- Qualcomm PMX55 power management IC
- Avago 8200 high/mid-band power amplifier with integrated duplexer
- Skyworks 5824x power amplifiers
- Broadcom BCM15960A0
Step 14
- Let’s keep the IC detective work rolling:
- Bosch Sensortec mysterious accelerometer doing its thing
- Texas Instruments SN61280 li-ion battery DC-DC converter powering up smoothly
- Maxim Integrated MAX8510 120 mA LDO regulator keeping the voltage chill
- STMicroelectronics ST33JZ90 secure microcontroller holding down the fort
- Qualcomm QET5100 envelope tracker handling the signal vibes
Step 15
The mini’s got attitude, but not quite enough height for some upright wireless chargers—the coils just don’t match up. It’s a little short for the party, that’s all.
- Just like picking through the Thanksgiving leftovers, it's time to dive into the goodies waiting for us in the case.
- Following in the footsteps of its bigger siblings, the last piece we’re tackling is the MagSafe coil and button assembly.
- Let's snag some ribbon cables, antennas, microphones, the flash module, and the Lightning connector while we're at it.
Step 16
Curious about the other end of the iPhone size scale? Stay tuned for our upcoming iPhone 12 Pro Max teardown, or catch the livestream for an exclusive sneak peek.
- The iPhone 12 mini might be small in size, but it's packing some serious ambition. It’s pretty wild how similar the inside looks compared to other iPhones released this year, even though they vary so much in size.
- Shrinking parts like the speaker and Taptic Engine helps save space, but unfortunately, the battery size still takes a hit.
- Finally, does the mini score high on our repairability scale? Keep scrolling to see how it measures up.
