Step 1 — iPad 3G Teardown  ¶ 

  • The much awaited iPad 3G is finally in the hands of iFixit!

  • The Wi-Fi + 3G iPad. We got a sneak peak of the internals of this tablet a month ago by poking around on the FCC's database.

  • The 3G iPad is visually distinguished from its Wi-Fi-only sibling by a black plastic RF window.

  • The 3G iPad supports UMTS/HSDPA on 850, 1900, and 2100 MHz and GSM/EDGE on 850, 900, 1800, and 1900 MHz.

  • In a dramatic shift for Apple, the iPad is unlocked, and not tied down to a specific carrier.

  • Alas, in the US, AT&T is the only carrier that operates 3G on frequencies the iPad supports. T-Mobile should work, but only on the slower EDGE network.

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Add Note Edit Step 2  ¶ 

  • The iPad's model number is A1337 as previously suggested by the FCC filing. Yes, we think that's l33t.

  • There's no use wasting anymore time, let's see what makes this puppy growl.

  • We'll be comparing the internals of this production unit to the preproduction FCC photos we exclusively unveiled a month ago.

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Add Note Edit Step 3  ¶ 

  • After some careful prying around with a metal spudger, the display assembly can be removed from the rear case.

  • Due to the addition of 3G connectivity, there's an extra antenna cable that must be disconnected before the two halves are free.

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Add Note Edit Step 4  ¶ 

  • The innards of the iPad 3G (left) and the iPad Wi-Fi (right).

  • Some major differences include the 3G chip, SIM card board, and the plastic antenna cover at the top of the case.

  • The 3G iPad is not nearly as barren as the Wi-Fi-only iPad, but it's still not jam-packed.

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Add Note Edit Step 5  ¶ 

  • Pry up the antenna on the communications board with a plastic opening tool. This is one of two antennas on the communications board.

  • The communications board is secured by T4 Torx screws.

  • Upon removing the screws, the communications board slides out of its socket on the logic board. The connection socket style is similar to a Mini PCI Express card.

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Add Note Edit Step 6  ¶ 

  • Removing the micro-SIM card. That's a really small SIM card!

  • The iPad's SIM card measures 12mm x 15mm. That's just under half the size of the standard size SIM card from an iPhone 3GS.

  • You could cut up a full-size SIM card and turn it into a Micro-SIM. The contacts are fully compatible.
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Add Note Edit Step 7  ¶ 

  • New to the 3G iPad, there's an antenna attached to the backside of the display assembly. The copper foil piece seen in the picture connects to the silver metal LCD frame. Apple has cleverly used this same piece of metal for both structural and electrical purposes.

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Add Note Edit Step 8  ¶ 

  • Use the flat end of a spudger to pry the SIM card slot off the rear case.

  • It sure doesn't look like Apple was tight on space. As far as we know, the only purpose of this board is to connect the SIM card to the logic board.

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