iPad 2 3G teardown proves ties to iPhone 4 design, upgrades
updated 08:10 am EDT, Wed March 30, 2011
iPad 2 3G torn down by iFixit
A follow-up teardown of the 3G version of the iPad 2 by iFixit has shown how closely linked Apple's tablets are to their iPhone 4 equivalents. The EVDO-based 3G version is near identical to the Verizon iPhone 4 and has the same dual-mode Qualcomm MDM6600 chipset, although the GSM and HSPA sides aren't being used. The HSPA-based 3G version for AT&T and the world is using an Infineon 337S3833 baseband chip to get online but has upgraded to a newer Broadcom BCM4751 for the GPS chipset.
Much of the logic board design, in spite of the chipset requirements, remains the same. Both 3G versions mount all the 3G hardware on an add-on board that conveniently lets Apple use whatever would be necessary without having to rethink the layout. Other changes are familiar and include the micro SIM card slot on the HSPA version and the plastic antenna window on either 3G model.
The checks reveal that Apple hasn't added any hidden new features to the iPad for its second revision and thus that there aren't any clues as to any hardware changes in the next-generation iPhone. Many expect Apple to introduce HSPA+ 3G or even LTE, but such chipsets might not have been ready or feasible for the mid-March launch of the updated iPad.
Top to bottom: Wi-Fi only, HSPA (AT&T/world), EVDO (Verizon)
