The next-generation iPad will feature a larger battery and a new camera, according to RepairLabs. The website obtained what it claims to be the rear shell of the upcoming iPad 3 from an industry insider in China. After examining the shell and comparing it to an iPad 2 case, RepairLabs noticed the mounts for the logic board were quite different, meaning the board itself will likely be a different shape. The rear case also apparently reveals that the iPad 3 will include a larger battery pack, in line with earlier rumors. The device is also expected to have a “different camera” as well, and the site suggests the front display will also be new. There has been speculation that the next-generation iPad would be slightly thicker, but the site claims that could be false after examining the rear case. Apple is expected to unveil the iPad 3 next month.

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A recent teardown of Amazon’s new Kindle Fire tablet reveals that the company is likely selling its new Android-powered slate at a loss. Market research and intelligence firm IHS iSuppli on Friday published its findings after disassembling the new Amazon Kindle Fire tablet and examining its components. Following its analysis, the firm determined that Amazon’s Build of Materials cost is $185.60, and its total cost including manufacturing-related fees is $201.70 per Kindle Fire. Prior to obtaining and disassembling the tablet, IHS had estimated its parts and manufacturing costs to be $209.63 per unit combined. Read on for more.

“The Kindle Fire, at a retail price point of $199, is sold at a loss by Amazon, just as the basic Kindle is also sold at a loss at the current $79 retail price point,” Andrew Rassweiler, senior director of teardown services for IHS, said in a statement. “Amazon makes its money not on Kindle hardware, but on the paid content and other products it plans to sell the consumer through the Kindle. This is a similar business model to wireless companies such as AT&T or Verizon. They sell you a phone that costs them $400 to $600 or more to make for a price of only $200. However, they expect to more than make up for that loss with a two-year service contract.”

IHS notes that its determination covers parts and manufacturing only, and does not take into account software, licensing, marketing, royalties and other related expenditures. The firm’s full press release follows below.

Amazon Kindle Fire Costs $201.70 to Manufacture

November 18, 2011
ANDREW RASSWEILER

Amazon’s Kindle Fire media tablet carries a BOM cost of $185.60, according to preliminary findings from the IHS iSuppli Teardown Analysis Service. When manufacturing services expenses are added, the cost increases to $201.70, as shown in the table below.

This is slightly lower than the IHS virtual estimate of the Kindle’s cost issued in September of a BOM amounting to $191.65, and a total of $209.63, when factoring in the manufacturing and the margin expenses.

Please note that this teardown assessment is preliminary in nature, and accounts only for hardware costs and does not include additional expenses such as software, licensing, royalties or other expenditures.

“The Kindle Fire, at a retail price point of $199, is sold at a loss by Amazon, just as the basic Kindle is also sold at a loss at the current $79 retail price point,” said Andrew Rassweiler, senior director, teardown services for IHS. “Amazon makes its money not on Kindle hardware, but on the paid content and other products it plans to sell the consumer through the Kindle. This is a similar business model to wireless companies such as AT&T or Verizon. They sell you a phone that costs them $400 to $600 or more to make for a price of only $200. However, they expect to more than make up for that loss with a two-year service contract.”

Surprise design wins in the Kindle fire include the use of a touch screen control- integrated source from the previously unknown source Ilitek and a wireless local area network (WLAN) module from new supplier Jorjin.

The use of an unfamiliar source for the touch screen controller integrated circuit (IC) reflects the growing trend of new suppliers entering the market. Amid booming sales for touch screen devices, IC suppliers have jumped into the fray to satisfy the increase in demand. This trend toward employing lesser-known sources is evident in recent designs including the Vizio tablet, which featured a touch control IC from EETI—and the Lenovo A60 smartphone, which employed a touch control IC from FocalTech Systems.

The use of the Jorjin WLAN module also represents a surprise, given that most tablet designs employ more complex combo solutions from Broadcom or Texas Instruments. The Jorjin device provides a cheaper approach to implementing WLAN support, at just $4.50, yielding a $1 savings in BOM costs.

Texas Instruments Inc. (TI) dominates the Kindle Fire design. Most notably, TI contributes the applications processor, which provides the core functionality of the tablet. The TI OMAP4430 processor costs $14.65, accounting for 7.9 percent of the Kindle Fire’s total BOM. However, TI also supplies other devices, including the power management device and the audio codec. This gives TI a total of $24 per each Kindle, or 12.9 percent of the BOM.

TI’s OMAP4430 applications processor has been identified in an increasing number of designs dissected by the IHS, including Research In Motion’s PlayBook RDJ21WW tablet, as well as the Motorola Droid Bionic XT875 and LG Optimus 3D P920 smartphones. The OMAP4430 is a dual-core ARM Cortex-A9, 1GHz processor with a IVA 3 Hardware Accelerator and a SGX540 3D graphics core. The device supports 1080P 2-D and 720P 3-D graphics, and is produced using 45nm process geometry.

The single most expensive subsystem in the Kindle Fire is the display and touch screen, at a combined cost of $87.00, or 46.9 percent of the BOM. Amazon sources the display from two companies: LG Display and E Ink Holdings. The display uses E Ink’s FFS technology, which LG Display has licensed.

Improved production yields and efficiencies have assisted greatly in reducing the cost of FFS tablet displays. In the same vein, touch screens have made big strides in cost reduction during the course of 2011.

The Kindle Fire incorporates 8 gigabytes of eMMC NAND flash memory. In the individual Kindle Fire torn down by IHS iSuppli, the NAND flash was supplied by Samsung. The eMMC NAND flash is fairly popular with most manufacturers, as it includes memory management circuitry.

IHS had assumed originally that the Kindle Fire might have as much as 8 gigabits of low-power DDR2 DRAM memory. In fact, the Kindle Fire ships with only 4 gigabits. This shaved off a few dollars from our previous cost estimates. Elpida was the supplier of the DRAM in the individual Kindle Fire torn down by IHS iSuppli.

Together, the NAND and DRAM form a memory subsystem costing $22.10, or 11.9 percent of the total BOM.

Apple is looking at another big-margin device launch next week when the tech giant’s fifth-generation iPhone finally hits store shelves on October 14th. Market research and intelligence firm UBM TechInsights on Wednesday estimated that Apple’s 32GB iPhone 4S carries a materials cost of $203 per handset for the Cupertino-based company. UBM arrived at that number by using component costs from its iPhone 4 teardown as a base and then making slight adjustments for known changes in iPhone 4S components, such as the new A5 processor. Apple’s Canadian website states that the MSRP for its iPhone 4S starts at $649 (CAD, though Apple’s pricing in Canada and the U.S. are aligned in most cases), so presuming the company will stay true to form and add $100 to the MSRP of the 32GB model, Apple is looking at a margin of roughly $546 when taking only build of materials (BOM) into account. After additional expenses, however, Apple still looks to have another solid money-maker on its hands. UBM TechInsights’ full press release follows below.

UBM TechInsights Commentary: Apple Maintains Profit Margin While Introducing Few Technology Changes

Extensive database of teardowns and trends analysis aid in the speculation of cost of the iPhone 4S

OTTAWA, Ontario, Oct. 5, 2011 /PRNewswire/ — UBM TechInsights, leveraging its extensive library of teardowns and semiconductor analysis, has taken a closer look at the iPhone 4S announcement and is issuing an estimate of the cost of the phone.  When taking into account current market prices, the iPhone 4S will achieve the same healthy profit margin that they have experienced in previous iPhone launches.

“Technology-wise, you aren’t seeing anything revolutionary or unexpected from the iPhone 4S,” says Jeffrey Brown, Vice-President of Business Intelligence. “As we predicted in July, the iPhone 4S is a moderate improvement over the iPhone 4 – featuring an A5 processor that has been in use for approximately nine months, an image sensor that puts the handset on par with its competitors, and improved battery life.”

The introduction of the iPhone 4S across GSM and CDMA networks in a singular design was also alluded to in the introduction of the Verizon model of the iPhone 4.  ”When the CDMA version of the iPhone 4 was brought to market, it featured a Qualcomm baseband modem that was capable of working across both networks,” says Jeffrey Brown.  ”This was the single biggest indicator that Apple was moving towards a ‘world phone’ that would reduce design times and production costs.  We expect the new antenna design to be very similar to what we saw in the CDMA version of the iPhone 4.”

UBM TechInsights Vice-President of Technical Intelligence, David Carey, views today’s announcement of the iPhone 4S as par for the course for Apple.  ”Just as we saw a modest technology bump from the iPhone 3G to the iPhone 3GS, Apple is adopting the same model of iterative improvement and incrementalism as they gear up for the iPhone 5 platform.  By continuing down the hardware evolution path, more powerful and useful software such as natural voice-recognition, highly-rendered gameplay, wireless video mirroring, and complex image processing all become possible. The software experience – enabled by ‘good-enough’ hardware – is arguably what customers care about most in the end.”

Using previous costing history and estimates on the major components of the iPhone 4S, UBM TechInsights estimates the bill-of-materials to be in the same range at where the iPhone 4 model was at launch in mid-2010.  Using preliminary specs and cost analysis, we estimate the 32GB model of the iPhone 4S will have a BOM of $203 at launch.  This estimate includes an estimated cost of $26 for the Apple A5 processor and $31 for the retina display.

For more information on the costing of the iPhone 4S and how it compares in pricing in today’s market to the iPhone 4, please contact UBM TechInsights for a comparison table highlighting the costs of key components.  For more information on the iPhone 4 teardown visit: http://www.ubmtechinsights.com/teardowns/apple-iphone-4-teardown/

UBM TechInsights will be conducting a comprehensive teardown of the iPhone 4S, including detailed information on many of the key components and semiconductors and confirmation of our earlier costing estimates.  Visit www.ubmtechinsights.com on October 14th for the iPhone 4S teardown.

There’s a photo floating around that’s been published on a Chinese Twitter-like site that appears to reveal parts from a new iPhone with Apple’s dual-core 1GHz custom A5 chip. There are a few possible explanations assuming the photo is legitimate in the first place. The front case attached to the internal components in the photo clearly shows the first and original white front panel assembly Apple was planning on using for the white iPhone — the company noticed that there were proximity sensor issues and switched to a black cut out instead of the grate-like solution seen above. This means this device pictured is likely old, though it’s possible Apple was indeed lending these out to some developers for testing on next-generation hardware as we reported months ago. The other possible option is that the device photographed will come to market as an upgraded iPhone 4 either alone or alongside a radically different iPhone 5.

[Via PhoneArena]

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Hewlett-Packard’s component suppliers are none too happy right now according to a report from DigiTimes. Following the company’s decision to discontinue all webOS device efforts, which ostensibly kills off the platform itself, HP’s component suppliers in the East are now sitting on a pile of TouchPad parts that had reportedly been on order for the company’s second webOS tablet, the 7-inch HP TouchPad Go. Citing anonymous sources from HP’s supply chain, DigiTimes says there are apparently enough parts in inventory across HP’s various suppliers to assemble 100,000 7-inch TouchPads, which were originally set to go into production later this quarter. Of course DigiTimes does say that HP is currently negotiating with its suppliers to determine an appropriate solution, and it is beyond unlikely that the company would leave its partners sitting on a mountain of parts; whether or not HP spins off its PC business, it will need to continue working with these companies in some capacity moving forward. HP confirmed when it buried the TouchPad that clearing out unsold stock will cost the company more than $100 million. Add to that the R&D costs and inevitable expense from these unused TouchPad Go parts, and this is turning out to be quite an expensive mistake for the Palo Alto-based tech giant.

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Speculation surrounding Apple’s upcoming iPhone 5 and iPhone 4S sure isn’t slowing down, and with Apple expected to take the wraps off the company’s latest smartphone lineup within weeks, more rumored iPhone 5 parts have started to leak out. According to the blog Greek iPhone, which published photos of what it is claiming to be new components from Apple’s upcoming iconic device, the iPhone 5 will be thinner than the current model and it will also feature volume buttons on the opposite side of where they sit now on the iPhone 4. Additionally, the camera module is “quite different” and thinner than the existing part, and it reportedly supports a higher resolution than the current module — it looks like an 8-megapixel sensor is all but confirmed. Hit the jump for additional images of the parts in question.

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Several fresh iPhone “N94″ photos leaked on Monday are fueling rumors that Apple will reveal a low-cost iPhone 4S when it takes the wraps off of the iPhone 5 in the coming weeks. The new batch of images were provided to Engadget by uBreakiFix and are very similar in size and shape to the leaked iPhone 4S parts we saw last week. This new N94 face panel, which is allegedly from an “engineering verification test” build made in March of this year, looks nearly identical to the current iPhone 4. However, there’s a small circular grill that’s positioned just above the earpiece speaker and camera. As Engadget points out, it looks very similar to the webcam LED indicator on Apple’s Mac computers, which would be a welcome addition to the iPhone. Reportedly, a different N94 still had not hit the “design verification stage” stage in June or July, so it’s possible this new design has been tweaked or ditched entirely. A separate model, the N97, has reportedly already hit the design verification stage and is rumored to offer a camera lens provided by Sony. Either way, Apple is sure to excite when it takes the wraps off of its new devices in October. Read on for a second image.

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Rumors that Apple plans to release an updated iPhone 4 model — referred to on tech blogs as the “iPhone 4S” — alongside the iPhone 5 this fall gained momentum on Thursday evening as images of purported iPhone 4S parts were published by MacRumors.com. The site says it received parts belonging to the iPhone 4S case from supplier iPatchiPods.com, an online iPhone and iPod repair shop. If these components are believed to be authentic, it appears as though the iPhone 4S will feature a redesigned antenna that may help alleviate attenuation resulting from the notorious “death grip.” In addition, MacPost published an image of what is purported to be the rear back from Apple’s upcoming iPhone 5. The redesigned white case back is said to be from a prototype device and it bears the model number “N94,” which we reported belongs to a forthcoming iPhone. MacPost also published several images of various supposed iPhone 5 parts we’ve already seen in the past. The image of the iPhone 5 rear cover and another image of the iPhone 4S antenna assembly follow below.

Read [iPhone 4S antenna] Read [iPhone 5 back]

China-based parts supplier TVC-Mall has published more images of various components claimed to be genuine parts from Apple’s upcoming iPhone 5. The supplier has gained access to genuine iPhone parts ahead of launch in the past, so it is possible that these components are once again authentic. Last week we saw what were claimed to be headphone jacks and camera lens replacement modules from Apple’s upcoming fifth-generation iPhone, and now TVC-Mall has posted images and information surrounding OEM rear camera lens assemblies, batteries and headphone jack flex cables said to belong to Apple’s iPhone 5. Little can be gleaned from the new images, though the camera lens module shows space for a single LED flash while earlier reports claimed that the new iPhone 5 would feature a dual-LED flash. More images of the purported iPhone 5 parts follow below.

[Via MacRumors]

Read [Camera] Read [Battery] Read [Flex cable]

Several alleged internal components from Apple’s upcoming iPhone 5 have surfaced on websites belonging to two different online parts suppliers. As reported by MacPost, purported OEM camera lens replacement modules, OEM headphone jacks and other parts now appear on websites belonging to Chinese parts suppliers TVC-Mall and Truesupplier, further suggesting that a launch of Apple’s fifth-generation iPhone is not far off. Genuine iPhone parts have historically appeared on websites belonging to Chinese parts suppliers ahead of launch, and while not much can be gleaned from examining the parts, their emergence follows a pattern that has historically lead to a new device launch. More images of alleged iPhone 5 parts follow below.

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Apple has inked deals with numerous additional parts suppliers for its upcoming iPad refresh according to a new report from DigiTimes, further supporting the notion that the tech giant plans to unveil a new version of its market-leading tablet later this year. Citing industry sources, the report claims Taiwan-based component manufacturers including Novatek Microelectronics, Richtek Technology, Capella Microsystems and Integrated Memory Logic have been awarded contracts to supply integrated circuits for the iPad 3. Contrary to previous speculation that Apple’s next iPad would be a high-end “Pro” model, DigiTimes states that Apple is seeking to utilize lower cost parts from Taiwanese suppliers in order to “compete with an array of tablet PCs to be launched by rivals in the second half of 2011.” A more likely scenario, however, is that Apple may simply be looking to offset the added expense of the upcoming iPad’s Retina Display with cheaper circuits. Such a move could allow the Cupertino-based company to launch its next-generation iPad at the iPad 2′s current price points. Apple is expected to unveil its new iPad this fall alongside the iPhone 5.

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Apple could cut Samsung from its list of part suppliers, an arrangement that is worth as much as $5 billion for Samsung, one analyst has suggested. “They have become more competitors and less partners and so I think Apple will definitely not be looking to Samsung as its go-to partner-of-choice for NAND flash,” Brian Marshall, a Gleacher & Co. analyst told The Globe and Mail. Apple could instead choose to get its NAND flash products from other companies, such as Hynix Semiconductor, Micron, and Toshiba. Similarly, if Apple were to bail on Samsung as a parts provider, the iPhone maker could look to Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Corp (TSMC) or Intel for processors, but it would also need to find another provider for LCDs. Samsung and Apple have been locked in multiple legal battles since Apple accused Samsung of creating “copycat” devices and sought to block the import of its products in the United States.

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DigiTimes adds fuel to the fire Monday morning with a report that Apple is looking to add a second manufacturing partner for its popular iPad line of tablets in order to help meet demand when the company launches a new iPad model this fall. The report adds that either iPhone maker Pegatron Technology or Quanta Computer will likely gain the contract to build iPads alongside Foxconn. While the report refers to an “iPad 3″ that will launch later this year, it has become increasingly likely that the new model rumored to launch in September will be a complimentary iPad variant as opposed to a new model. Dubbed the “iPad 2 Plus” or “iPad HD” by analysts and the media, the high-end iPad is said to feature specs similar to the current iPad 2 but with a double-resolution display, among other things. According to DigiTimes’ report, the new iPad model will launch either late in the third quater or early in the fourth quarter, with third-quarter shipments expected to ramp up to 13 million units.

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Taiwan-based component suppliers are beginning to prepare materials that will be assembled to build Apple’s upcoming iPhone 5 and iPad 3 devices, DigiTimes reports. The report goes on to state that Apple will unveil its fifth-generation smartphone and third-generation tablet in September ahead of launches in October. Details on the devices were scarce in the report, though it was mentioned that Apple’s next iPad may be even thinner and lighter than the current iPad 2 model, and it may also include a 250dpi display. DigiTimes cites anonymous industry sources in claiming that Apple intends to begin low-volume production of the iPhone 5 in August, and production will then ramp up in September. IPhone supply volume is expected to total 24-25 million units in the third quarter, 6-7 million of which will be the new iPhone 5 model. Total iPhone volume for 2011 is expected to reach 85 million, and DigiTimes says iPad volume may break the 40 million-unit mark.

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Is the image above the DROID 3? An OEM parts retailer named Global Redirects Parts seems to think so, but it also refers to the device as “Targa.” As we understand it, “Targa” is actually the name for Motorola’s DROID Bionic, due out later this summer, so it’s unclear if this is just a snafu on the retailer’s part. Still, the image does appear to be on a par with other DROID 3 leaked photos we’ve seen. There’s little we can tell from the image other than that the device has a front-facing camera on the top right of the phone, and that it seems to have a slightly larger screen than the DROID and DROID 2. Neither Motorola nor Verizon Wireless have confirmed the existence of this phone, so the DROID 3 remains pure speculation for now. Hit the jump for a few more images.

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