Teardown

High-end phones are often built with more expensive materials and designs that are, more often than not, difficult to open up for repairs. In contrast, mid-range phones are traditionally easier to disassemble, though that trend is changing now as well. The new Pixel 5a seems to be part of that changing trend, and while it was easy to get started, Google's unconventional design and assembly require too much work to replace even some of the most basic components.

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Playdate is a handheld gaming machine that encourages users to buy in to the concept as much as they've bought in to the device itself. The machine's charm has as much to do with its graphic design and industrial design as it does its games, and the ways in which a user can play said games. The machine fits in your hand and has a display that's 2.7-inches in size with 400 x 240 pixel resolution. So you know this isn't about competing with your smartphone.

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While the Galaxy Z Fold 3 probably gets the lion's share of the attention, the Galaxy Z Flip 3 is by no means an underdog. In fact, some early feedback would award the smaller foldable clamshell the "Buy" award for its price and practicality. The Galaxy Z Flip 3, however, is still a complex device that is still less durable than normal smartphones. That may mean it's also harder to repair, and, fortunately for us, PBKreviews went ahead and tested that theory.

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The Galaxy Z Fold 3 is probably one of the most complex smartphones in the market today. In addition to the flexible screen and the hinge that keeps it together, this year's foldable device also introduces IPX8 waterproof rating and an under-display (or under-panel) camera. All of these contribute to a device that needs to be tightly and securely packed, which, unfortunately, also means that it will be a pain to take apart and repair.

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While there's currently a lot of focus on the Xbox Series X and PlayStation 5, the Xbox Series S may just wind up being one of the biggest surprises of the new generation. The Xbox Series S is underpowered compared to the Xbox Series X and PlayStation 5, but its $300 price point and its ability to play current-gen games at a lower target resolution and framerate could make it an attractive buy for some gamers. Now, thanks to a new teardown, we're getting to take a look inside the Xbox Series S.

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Most smartphones today seem to be built to be replaced rather than repaired. While many boast strong water resistance and durable materials, accidents can still make short work of those expensive products. When it comes to repairing them, there are times when it might be easier to actually replace the device and restore from backup. Taking apart a regular phone for repairs can already be a daunting task, and it seems that the Nokia XR20 "life-proof" rugged phone lives up to its name in that regard, at least in some contexts.

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Apple's MagSafe Battery Pack may be one of the more controversial accessories the company has launched in recent memory, but that doesn't mean there's not a lot going on inside the magnetically attached power pack as a new teardown makes clear. Quietly added to the Apple Store shelves earlier this month, the battery clings to the rear of your iPhone 12 and tops it up wirelessly.

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A new Starlink teardown has revealed fresh details about SpaceX's satellite internet dish, including how the company prevents its development hardware from being misused. Launched last year, Starlink relies upon both a growing constellation of satellites in orbit around Earth and an auto-positioning dish on the ground that communicates with them.

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Although it isn't exactly its first wearable, the OnePlus Watch is the company's first dip into the smartwatch pool. Not all first tries come out perfectly, however, and the OnePlus Watch seems to have disappointed many reviewers. Fortunately, most of those criticisms can be addressed with software updates, but some found the hardware to also be mediocre or common. iFixit takes the OnePlus Watch through its usual teardown process, and, fortunately, it was uneventful in a good way.

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Confirming months of rumors and speculation, Apple finally launched a new iPad Pro with two rather significant changes. Its shift to an Apple M1 chip further blurs the boundaries between iPad Pro and MacBooks but it is really the switch to a Mini LED screen that has some people talking. It's not all in good ways, though, as some don't seem to be convinced of the end results of the more expensive technology. On a purely technical aspect, however, iFixit's initial teardown assessment of the 12.9-inch M1 iPad Pro proves to be at least more interesting.

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Apple isn't exactly known for making its products repair-friendly, at least not by unauthorized third-party service providers. There are, however, times when it does seem to diverge from that path and throw technicians and enthusiasts a bone. The Apple TV has been one of its more repairable devices and it doesn't seem to have changed this year. Unfortunately, iFixit's teardown does reveal one wart in that image and it isn't the Apple TV 4K 2021 at all.

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This year's new iMac generation will probably be best remembered for looking like gigantic iPad Pros. Of course, there are changes invisible to the naked eye and we're not just talking about the new Apple M1 chip running the entire show this time. That does entail a lot of internal changes due to the new computing architecture but there are even more to be discovered inside. Thankfully, the experts over at iFixit have started that journey to literally uncover the secrets of the 24-inch Apple M1 iMac, now in purple!

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