The IHS Technology teardown team took a look inside the new 16-gigabyte (GB) Wi-Fi-only version of the Apple iPad Air 2, and some of the results are surprising, and some not so much. The iPad Air 2 is even thinner than its predecessor, the iPad Air, and sports a bill of materials (BOM) of $270, based on a preliminary estimate. When the $5 manufacturing cost is added, the cost rises to $275. This compares to the $269 BOM for the 16GB version of the original Apple iPad Air, based on a finalized estimate from IHS in November 2013.
“The Air 2 delivers a series of refinements compared to the original Air but features nothing earthshaking,” said Andrew Rassweiler, senior director, cost benchmarking services for IHS. “With largely identical display specifications and minor improvements in most other areas, Apple continues to offer evolutionary upgrades to the iPad lineup. It’s interesting to note that by offering the consumer a 128GB model for the same price as last year’s 64GB iPad Air, Apple actually has taken down our estimated margins a bit on both the 64GB and 128GB models. The increased memory configurations to 64GB and 128GB are some of the key upgrades here.”
Summary points:
- Apple iPad Air 2 (MGL12LL/A) WiFi
- 16-gigabyte (GB) Wi-Fi-only version
- Apple-designed A8X processor
- 27.6 watt/hour (Wh) capacity battery
- Fingerprint sensor
Target market: Consumer
Pricing: $499.99
Availability: Worldwide
Total cost (direct materials and manufacturing): $275.00
Major Components:
- Apps Processor, 64-Bit ARMv8 CPU, MFG: (designed by Apple) – MPN: APL1012 – (Qty: 1)
- MCU, ARM Cortex-M3 Core, M8 Motion Coprocessor – MFG: NXP SEMICONDUCTORS – MPN: LPC18B1UK – (Qty: 1)
- Power Management IC w/ Heatsink – MFG: DIALOG SEMICONDUCTOR GMBH – (Qty: 1)
- NFC Controller – MFG: NXP SEMICONDUCTORS – MPN: PN65V – (Qty: 1)
- Audio Codec - MFG: CIRRUS LOGIC INC – (Qty: 1)
- Battery Charger – MFG: MAXIM INTEGRATED PRODUCTS INC – MPN: MAX98721BEWV – (Qty: 2)
- Flash, NAND, 16GB, MLC – MFG: SK HYNIX INC – MPN: H2JTDG8UD1BMR – (Qty: 1)
- BT / WLAN Module– MFG: UNIVERSAL SCIENTIFIC INDUSTRIAL CO LTD – MPN: 339S0251– (Qty: 1)
- SDRAM, Mobile DDR3, 1GB – MFG: SK HYNIX INC – MPN: H9CCNNN8KTMLFR-NTH – (Qty: 2)
- Touchscreen Controller – MFG: BROADCOM CORP.– MPN: BCM5976TC1KUB60G – (Qty: 1)
Exterior
Main PCB (top)
Source: IHS
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