Former employee Google and roving Silicon Valley hacker Scotty Allen built an iPhone 6S with his own hands. The smartphone was assembled in five months from parts he purchased from Chinese markets. A video of him showing how to assemble a phone has become a Youtube trend.

American Scotty Allen assembled a smartphone and recorded a video in which he spoke in detail about the process of assembling the phone.

Kloop correspondent Metin Dzhumagulov interviewed a roving hacker from Silicon Valley.

Narrated by Scotty Allen

My name is Scotty Allen. I'm a hacker and engineer.

I am originally from the USA, San Francisco. Worked at Google and participated in some famous startups. For the last three years I have been traveling all over the world.

About a year and a half ago, I came to China to the city of Shenzhen, next to Hong Kong, to learn more about the electronics manufacturing process.

I have always been involved with electronics, IT technologies and now I can explore all this on a deeper level.

I fell in love with this place. I spend a lot of time in Shenzhen.

With like-minded people I walked in a place that can be called a market mobile phones. They mainly sold spare parts and components there.

We didn't know much about all this. One of us said, “I was wondering if any of you could build your own phone?”

This idea never left my head. This sounded like a challenge to me. I accepted it.

It was a great way to learn more about the mobile phone market and smartphones themselves.

I thought about it for nine months before I decided to build the phone myself and recorded a video.

Why did I choose an iPhone? This good question, which many people ask me. Firstly, I am much more familiar with the iPhone than with other smartphones. I use it myself.

Second, there are a lot of Apple-related things in China. Not only phones, but also various parts, spare parts, cases and much more. iPhone is very popular.

And due to the fact that the “filling” for the iPhone can be easily found in city stores and markets, it is easier to assemble.

I also thought that creating an iPhone would be a little more interesting, since the brand is recognized worldwide.

I had no experience before this. This is the first time I'm doing something like this. I'll say more. This is the first time I've seen the "insides" of a phone (laughs).

The biggest difficulty I have encountered is my poor knowledge Chinese language(laughs).

It was no less difficult to find all the parts to assemble the phone, to understand what exactly needed to be bought and where.

Hard to find processor. You can't just buy a processor similar to the one in the iPhone. The only one possible way- this means buying, disassembling an iPhone and removing its processor.

How I dealt with the processor is a separate story, which I may talk about in the next video.

The other challenge is that I wanted to create my own system board, technical details can be seen in the video.

I spent about $1000 on all this. Most of the amount was spent on parts and tools. But now, having learned from experience, if I want to repeat the experiment, I will spend $300.

The entire process, from decision making to video presentation, took five months. But real work- assembling the phone and recording the video lasted about two months.

My own iPhone and the Apple iPhone are almost the same. I now have two phones and if I show them to you, you won't see the difference.

Of course, the Apple iPhone has a warranty period and was assembled by people more experienced in this field. Therefore we can say that it is better.

I have no intention of opening my own business or continuing to collect phones. It was just an experiment.

Honestly, I didn't expect my video to become so popular. What's happening now is crazy (laughs).

Many people are writing to me now, congratulating me. Often I see messages like - “That was a great video! We are watching you!

People are shocked, they are very excited.

I myself was very excited and happy when I finally finished the work. It took so much time and work, sometimes I thought I couldn't do it. Naturally, I'm pleased with myself.

The field of video journalism has captivated me, I love it.

To be honest, this happened after I visited Kyrgyzstan. I was inspired by the videos that Kloop made.

I will definitely continue to make videos related to the field of IT technology, my adventures and travels.

I will be happy to come to Kyrgyzstan again. I had a good time with you.

I think that Kyrgyzstan is an excellent example of a democratic country that is open to the world. And Kloop is a very important part of the country.

I am impressed by the activities of this media and everyone I met in the editorial office. I am still amazed by Kyrgyzstan.

Worldwide. As usual, the guys from the iFixit team were the first to get their hands on the new items and take them apart. To do this, they went to distant Australia and stood in a long line.

You probably won't need it disassemble iPhone 6 so soon, however, situations are different and it is better to be prepared for self-repair and replacing components in advance.

Using a special pentalobe screwdriver (you can use the proprietary 54 Bit Driver Kit), unscrew at least “pentalobe” screws. It's a shame that Apple uses non-standard screws. The good thing is that the device does not need to be heated for disassembly. Thank you anyway.

Next, we open the phone using a suction cup or a special tape that leaves no traces (the guys from iFixit use a special tool iSlack). At home, it is better to hold the phone over a soft surface and in two hands and, of course, do not do this in weight.

The next step includes unusual use boomerang. We recommend that you perform it only under the supervision of a qualified specialist, since using a boomerang at home can cause harm not only to the device, but also to you and your loved ones. But let's be serious! The best option for disconnecting all cables is a regular guitar pick, like any other plastic without sharp edges. Disconnect the display cable and move on.

Inside there are many standard Philips screws. But a good set of screwdrivers from the nearest radio store will help you deal with any type of screw. Using a simple screwdriver, we remove the metal plate that holds the front panel.

Remove the Home button from the front panel. The tongs from the manicure set are ideal for this.

Disconnect the cables and remove front camera and speaker for detailed study.

To remove the battery, we will again use the plastic “mediator”. If everything is done correctly, it will allow you to quickly and without mechanical damage remove the battery.

iPhone 6 uses 3.82V lithium ion battery capacity 1810 mA/hour. On one side it shows a power of 6.91 Watts/hour, and on the other - 7.01. It seems that the engineers managed to improve the performance after the text for printing on one side was approved.

We take out the rear camera with tweezers.

We turn off and remove all antennas with it.

Hurray, we got to the motherboard! First, we need to remove the protection from electromagnetic pulses to find out what's inside. Let's do so.

Now we remove the vibration motor module.

There are two types of vibration motors - counterweight and linear oscillating. Which ones are better? According to the guys at iFixit, answering this question is as difficult as choosing between Pepsi and Coke. It seems that this time Apple has opted for a linear oscillating type.

This year appearance The dynamics have changed slightly. True, the absence of markings suggests that the changes compared to the speaker of the previous model are insignificant.

The charging and headphone connectors form one module and are placed on one cable. This means that you cannot replace one connector separately, only together. Of course, this is a drawback from a repairability point of view, but for Apple it saves precious space inside the device.

The last thing left to remove are the power buttons and the volume rocker. Tweezers will help us with this again.

That's all. On the iFixit repairability scale, the iPhone 6 scores 7 out of 10.

This high score is explained by the following factors:
+ The display module is separated first, which simplifies the procedure for replacing the screen (the most common breakdown)
+ The battery is easy to change. All you need to do is unscrew the pentalobe screws and carefully remove the plastic seals.
+ The fingerprint sensor cable no longer interferes with opening the device (in 5S it could be very easily damaged)
- iPhone 6 still uses custom pentalobe screws that require special screwdrivers
— Apple does not share information on iPhone repair 6 with unauthorized independent workshops and customers

We have already purchased refurbished iPhones on AliExpress. Outwardly, they looked like devices after a year of careful use, but surprises awaited us inside: strange copies of screens with distorted colors instead of the original ones, battered batteries, wheezing in the speakers.

I want to get involved in an adventure! What will I need?

Motherboard. This is the main part of the smartphone that you will need to assemble the iPhone 7. Look for it in the AliExpress search by request "iPhone 7 logic board".

Please note that in the search results there are 2 types of lots: with Touch ID and without it. Last option not for you, with the help of it it will not be possible to assemble a fully functional device, not only with all the desire, but also with any level of skills.

The fact is that the Touch ID fingerprint sensor is tied to the motherboard at the hardware level. It won't work to give her another one. If you install something left, you can use it as nothing more than a home button.

This is why you also need to look at the Touch ID color. It is not possible to change the sensor separately, so you need to immediately choose black or white.

A motherboard is a complex spare part on which a large number of components are installed. In this case, your main concern should be the memory size: 32, 128 or 256 GB. It is on this that the cost of the component most depends.

Be careful that they don't trick you motherboard, blocked to some operator. Read about all this in the lot description on AliExpress.

Frame. This part of the future iPhone 7 will be responsible for the tactile sensations from using the device. The more expensive and high-quality part you buy, the more complete your impressions will be. Search by request "iPhone 7 rear case".

Almost all sellers on AliExpress include the necessary additional parts in the package. What comes with the case:

• SIM card tray
• Volume buttons
• Power button
• Mode switch

The fact is that it is almost impossible to match external parts from one manufacturer to another by color, so do not try to save money and look for them separately.

Also note that the Touch ID sensor that comes with motherboard, should match everything else in color - black for black models and white for all others.

However, you can put together some interesting color options. For example, you can combine white and black components and get a stylish gadget with a black back and Touch ID, as well as a white front panel.

By the way, the camera eye is already installed on each normal case, so you don’t have to buy it separately.

Button cable. Search by request "iPhone 7 Power and Volume Control Cable". It is needed to connect buttons and other components.

Display. You will need a search term "iPhone 7 OEM display". It is very important to specify the OEM in order to ultimately get the highest quality screen.

However, be mentally prepared for the fact that the screen may differ slightly from the original one. It may have slightly different colors and may be less bright and responsive.

The good news is that the displays of modern iPhones come assembled. In addition to the screen itself, you also get glass with built-in touch panel. This increases the cost of repairs, but simplifies the assembly of a real Apple smartphone from spare parts from AliExpress.

Display protection. Search for it by request "iPhone 7 LCD Shield Plate". It is attached to the screen assembly, holds other components and protects it from heat and other negative influences.

Battery. Search for it by request "iPhone 7 battery". Don't pay attention to the cheapest options and don't try to find a high-capacity battery - none of this will lead to any good.

The normal battery capacity for the iPhone 7 is 1960 mAh, so go from there. Most sellers warn that the real one may differ slightly, but the difference is rarely more than 10% up or down.

Full set of screws. Search by request "iPhone 7 screw set". So you will find a package with all the screws necessary to assemble the device.

Main camera. What's an iPhone without a main camera? Search for a suitable option upon request "iPhone 7 rear camera".

Don't chase the cheapest options, you don't need them. Fortunately, for a 7, replacement cameras are already very cheap.

Front-camera. Find the required spare part upon request "iPhone 7 front camera". Everything else is the same as the main camera.

Please note that all the necessary additional sensors (lighting, proximity) are already included in the front camera module.

Speaker. Search for it by request "iPhone 7 earpiece speaker".

This thing will be useful to you not only for making voice calls. No, this is another speaker to create a stereo effect while playing music.

Main speaker. Look for this spare part on request "iPhone 7 speaker", but under no circumstances confuse the main speaker with the conversational one.

Of course, the Chinese analogue is unlikely to play as well as the original. However, our experience shows that there is a difference, but it is not super critical.

Lightning port. Search for it by request "iPhone 7 connector". The port will be needed to charge the device and connect accessories to it.

For some reason, most sellers on AliExpress sell this part not one at a time, but in lots of 5-10. But you can find the option you need.

This spare part also includes the main microphone for iPhone.

Vibration motor. In general, the iPhone 7 does not have a simple vibration motor, but a special haptic engine called Taptic Engine. However, you won't find anything with this query on AliExpress due to legal reasons, and here is the correct one - "iPhone 7 vibro".

Be prepared for the fact that the tactile feedback from such a solution may not be as pleasant as the original.

Wi-Fi antenna. Search by request "iPhone 7 Wi-Fi antenna". The delivery set usually includes all related spare parts.

A set of iron. Search by request "iPhone 7 metal plate". It is useful for connecting components together and other tasks.

Screwdriver Set. The package contains almost every part for iPhone with AliExpress sellers They will put several screwdrivers, so in the end you will have such a large set that you won’t need additional ones.

Moreover, with a high probability you will collect everything together not on your own, but in a service where there are already enough of all these tools.

Additional accessories. Buy headphones, chargers and other accessories at your own discretion.

(Cost structure of spare parts for assembly)

I took more or less average values ​​for all the components that I managed to find on AliExpress to assemble a real iPhone 7 with 128 GB. The intermediate amount is about 28,380 rubles. However, you need to add to it the work of a master who will assemble your device and add the missing details. Approximate result - 30 thousand rubles.

Of course, the most expensive spare part was not the screen or the case, but the motherboard. On average, the 128 GB storage option will take up about 62% of the cost structure. In second place is the display (14%), and third place is shared by the body and battery (5% each).

It turns out that on average about 14% is accounted for by small spare parts, screws, glands and other nonsense. But you won’t be able to do without all this, even if you want to.

Most parts have free shipping, but some will still require you to spend a small amount, which we decided not to take into account in the calculations.

Some parts may not reach you in the proper form, and sellers may forget to put something in the kit, so some little things will have to be purchased at the assembly site. But these costs are also insignificant.

You're lying, you can't assemble a real iPhone from Chinese hardware

Of course you can't! You're right.

However, no one is saying that we will assemble the iPhone entirely from Chinese replica parts, no. The fact is that in the Celestial Empire, in the 11 years since the appearance of the first Apple smartphone, they have learned to make all the parts except the most important one - the motherboard.

Even the description of this part on AliExpress clearly states that it is not new. Local craftsmen simply take pictures motherboards from original devices, which can no longer be used for their intended purpose, increase their interest and immediately sell. The scheme is simple.

It turns out that you actually buy the heart of the device after some use, and only then hang it with new ones, but not original components. This fact removes the question of the device’s performance, its updates, and other things. The motherboard, which was removed from a real iPhone, is responsible for all this.

If you still decide to assemble an iPhone 7 from parts from AliExpress, you can use iFixit instructions. However, we strongly recommend that you seek help from a qualified specialist who will correctly put all the pieces of the puzzle together and even add missing ones if necessary.

Guys, isn't it easier to just buy a refurbished device?

We have already purchased a refurbished iPhone 7 on AliExpress. The device showed signs of use, but with care. Everything inside it was original. Only the gasket was damaged, which protected the internal components from moisture.

This used iPhone 7 cost us 25 thousand rubles. (this is with some kind of delivery kit), and one assembled almost exclusively from non-original parts costs 30 thousand. In the second case, we have 128 GB, not 32, so the prices can be considered equal. So which is better?

Of course, I'm for a ready-made iPhone from AliExpress, or better yet, for the official Refurbished, which is only a few thousand more expensive. Assembling a device from individual parts is too difficult, and it is logical to do this only out of sporting interest.

Why is it that it is so expensive to assemble a smartphone almost exclusively from non-original parts? The fact is that spare parts have always cost and will cost more than the entire assembled device. For example, some unofficial service centers even buy new MacBooks for disassembly in order to get replacement components, and make money on them.

Therefore, I repeat, it is better to buy ready-made devices. And when getting involved in an adventure, soberly assess the possible risks and consequences.

P.S. You can also look at the cost of parts on Alibaba, they are usually cheaper there. However, this is unlikely to make the venture significantly more profitable.

In this step by step instructions by disassembling the iPhone 6 Plus, you can clearly see how to completely disassemble this smartphone, thereby getting the opportunity to replace the screen, motherboard, buttons, speakers, battery and other elements of the iPhone 6 Plus.
As always, the place to start is with the screws located on the bottom of your iPhone 6 Plus.

Now you need to disconnect the screen from the phone body itself. The professional iSclack tool will be very convenient for this. Without it it will be difficult; you will need to work with plastic spatulas for quite a long time. Immediately unscrew the cables that go to iPhone screen 6 Plus.

Here we see the insides of the phone, you can see how much larger the battery on the iPhone 6 Plus has become.

We remove the plate protected from the home button, after which we easily remove the button itself.

We remove the front camera, which also has a speaker for conversation.

From the panel itself iPhone smartphone 6 Plus remove the metal plate.

We remove the battery cable and pull it out of the phone body.

We remove the vibrator block assembly.

It’s time to dismantle the camera, this can be done easily with thin tweezers, the main thing is not to damage the contacts, so be careful.

We are gradually approaching the end of our showdown. Unscrew the motherboard mounts, and then remove the antenna mount.

In these instructions for disassembling the iPhone 6 Plus, we will not describe the parts that are on the motherboard. A new article on this topic will appear on our blog very soon, you can find out there detailed information about the iPhone 6 Plus motherboard diagram.
While we continue to disassemble the smartphone, the speaker is next:

These instructions will help you disassemble your iPhone 6, do everything carefully. The iPhone 6 has glued parts. If parsing occurs with effort, it means something is going wrong.

When disassembling the iPhone 6, lay out all the parts in a neat position, then you will not have any difficulties during assembly. All information may also be deleted, so create backups everything that is needed.

1. Initially, use a star screwdriver to unscrew the two Pentalobe screws, they are located at the charging connector.

   

2. Using a suction cup, gently remove the display without damaging the cables. Next, use a plastic spatula and a suction cup to separate the display from the body on your iPhone 6.

   

3. To completely remove the cover on your iPhone, unscrew the 5 Phillips screws (indicated by orange circles).

   

4. Under the metal cover there are 4 contacts (indicated by orange rectangles), disconnect them with tweezers with rounded ends.

   

5. Two screws that hold the brackets to the module, display, and module Home buttons, you need to unscrew it with a Phillips screwdriver (indicated by orange circles in the photo).

   

6. The audio speaker is protected by metal brackets held on by 3 small screws; they need to be unscrewed (indicated by orange circles).

   

7. Now disconnect the audio speaker and carefully proceed to the display. Use tweezers to lift and disconnect the module.

   

8. Next, unscrew the 7 small screws that hold the LCD screen in place (marked in orange).

   

9. Remove the SIM card slot from the iPhone 6. You can use a special paper clip.

   

10. Next, disconnect the battery; to do this, you will need to unscrew 2 screws and disconnect the battery contact with tweezers.

    

11. On back cover The battery is attached to an adhesive substance; it needs to be detached with a slight movement, but without using a hair dryer. By pulling the lower tab located near the battery.

    

12. The rear camera is protected by a metal cover, which is attached to two cross cables. They need to be unscrewed (indicated by orange circles).

    

13. There is a protective cover above the contacts of the volume, power and antenna buttons, it is held in place by 6 screws. They need to be unscrewed with a Phillips screwdriver (indicated by orange circles).

    

14. Next, lightly lift the antenna and disconnect it.

    

15. The motherboard is attached to the case with 5 screws, unscrew them (indicated by orange circles). The volume and power buttons, the charging connector module and the power button cable have three connectors; we also disconnect them (indicated by orange rectangles). Next to the charging connector there is a “coaxial” connector (indicated by an unfilled orange ring) that needs to be disconnected.

    To remove the motherboard, you finally need to disconnect one tab, it is located near the rear camera (indicated by a green ring).

    

16. Unscrew the 3 screws with a Phillips screwdriver; they hold the volume control cable (indicated by orange circles). Next, loosen the adhesive with a hairdryer holding the cable and finally remove this volume button cable.

    

17. Unscrew the 3 screws with a Phillips screwdriver; they hold the power cable (indicated by orange circles). Next, loosen the adhesive with a hairdryer holding the cable and finally remove this power button cable.

    

18. A vibration alert module is attached to the charging connector, held in place with two screws. Unscrew with a Phillips screwdriver (indicated by orange circles). Next, you can remove the vibration alert.

    

19. Now unscrew the 4 screws with a Phillips screwdriver. They are holding a loudspeaker (they are indicated by orange circles). After unscrewing all the screws, remove the loudspeaker.

    

20. And finally, we find the small nine screws and unscrew them. These screws hold the module with the headphone output and charging connector (indicated by orange circles). Now, use a hairdryer to loosen all the adhesive substances (bottom connector) and carefully remove the module.

    

21. This completes the analysis of your iPhone 6.