iFixit disassembles the iPhone 7 Plus and confirms that the device has 3GB of RAM, in addition to a larger battery

As always, Apple just needs to launch a new product for iFixit put your hands on it and shred it down to the last detail. It happened today with the iPhone 7 Plus.

Let's go to the main highlights of this disassembly!

Disassembly of iPhone 7 Plus made by iFixit

The dissected unit was the iPhone 7 Plus rose gold model A1785, sold only in Japan.

Disassembly of iPhone 7 Plus made by iFixit

Right at the beginning of teardown, iFixit took an X-ray of the device showing us that the removal of the analogue audio output actually paved the way for a Taptic Engine more advantageous.

Disassembly of iPhone 7 Plus made by iFixit

Signaling that we are really facing a device with a more compact / sealed structure, iFixit said that Apple is using a significant amount of adhesive.

Disassembly of iPhone 7 Plus made by iFixit

Despite having clips inside the device (at the top, which help to align the structure with the display), now the structure opens from the side.

Disassembly of iPhone 7 Plus made by iFixit

Within the framework, Apple is using three-point screws to secure / protect the battery, display, and other connectors.

Disassembly of iPhone 7 Plus made by iFixit

In place of the 3.5mm outlet, there is a plastic component that channels the sound which enters through the new holes in the structure or that produced by the vibration of the Taptic Engine and directs them to the microphone that is right next to it (muting). Now, as we know, the Home button is not a moving part, but something fixed, which simply doesn’t move when you press it (thanks to the Taptic Engine); the idea is to protect the device as much as possible from possible infiltration.

Disassembly of iPhone 7 Plus made by iFixit

The battery is there, attached by stickers and with a flap to facilitate its removal, if necessary; speaking of it, we had a good increase (11.1Wh; 3.82V; and 2,900mAh vs. 10.45Wh; 3.8V; and 2,750mAh of the 6s Plus) which, according to Apple, means 1 hour longer.

Disassembly of iPhone 7 Plus made by iFixit

As we have already said, only the wide-angle camera has optical image stabilization; j the telephoto lens allows us to zoom up to 2x; according to Apple, the rear camera of the iPhone 7 Plus is 60% faster and 30% more energy efficient than previous models.

Disassembly of iPhone 7 Plus made by iFixit

Disassembly of iPhone 7 Plus made by iFixit

Access to the logic board (which has no less than 24 chips / modules / sensors / etc.) has been facilitated since it is no longer necessary to twist it to remove the connectors. IFixit also confirmed something very speculated: yes, the iPhone 7 Plus has 3GB of RAM (most likely to manage healthily the operations necessary for the two rear cameras to function properly.

On a related note, Chipworks also disassembled / analyzed the iPhone 7 Plus and found that there are, as rumors pointed out, parts (transceivers, power controllers, modems, etc.) manufactured by Intel.

Disassembly of iPhone 7 Plus made by iFixit

The speaker grills have protection to keep everything well out of the water.

Disassembly of iPhone 7 Plus made by iFixit

Another part that has good protection against liquids is the SIM card tray, which now has a rubber gasket.

Disassembly of iPhone 7 Plus made by iFixit

The display is practically the same as the iPhone 6s Plus, with the exception of improvements in brightness (25%) and a wider range of colors. To the brave of planting, it is good to know that it has an indicator of water damage, showing that Apple is not willing to exchange iPhones that take a dip in the water.

Disassembly of iPhone 7 Plus made by iFixit

Here is the front camera of the device (which also received a good upgrade, going from 5 to 7 megapixels) and the new stereo speaker.

Disassembly of iPhone 7 Plus made by iFixit

Disassembly of iPhone 7 Plus made by iFixit

Here we have Incio's button being dismantled in all its glory.

Disassembly of iPhone 7 Plus made by iFixit

Disassembly of iPhone 7 Plus made by iFixit

And here, further proof that Apple really was willing to offer a beautiful water resistance in these new devices: the volume increase and decrease buttons are now fixed, while the silencer is basically a single piece / structure.

Disassembly of iPhone 7 Plus made by iFixit

Despite good improvements like the fixed Start button (which avoids repairs) and the tab that helps remove the battery, the “repairability” note of the iPhones 7/7 Plus was exactly the same as the 6s / 6s Plus: 7/10 .

To those interested, iFixit also shared a video with the entire disassembly process.