Inside the New iPhone 15 – Full Teardown & Disassembly Guide

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OVERVIEW:

In this in-depth teardown, we’ll disassemble the newly released iPhone 15 to explore Apple’s latest hardware upgrades, examine repairability improvements, and analyze the USB-C charging port design. We’ll compare it to the iPhone 14 to see how Apple has refined its construction and accessibility for repairs.

See official Apple specs for this model

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REPAIR TIME & SKILL LEVEL:

This repair is estimated to take about 90-120 minutes to complete and is of ADVANCED difficulty, requiring experience handling delicate flex cables, proper heat application, and precision in removing multiple screw types.

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STEPS:

Tools You Need

For this repair, you will need a heating mat set between 80 to 90°C, 99% isopropyl alcohol to soften adhesive, a 1.5mm or 1mm pentalobe screwdriver, a curved screen disassembler, a flexible plastic pry tool, a heat gun for stubborn glue spots, tri-wing and Phillips screwdrivers, and a spudger with a concave tip to safely remove the battery and components without puncturing or damage.

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Heat and Loosen the Back Glass

• Place the iPhone 15 on the heating mat at 80–90°C for 5–10 minutes to soften the adhesive.
• Apply 99% isopropyl alcohol to the frame to help loosen the glue—especially around the top edge where resistance is strongest.
• Allow the heat and alcohol to work together for easier removal without damaging the ceramic shield glass.

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Remove the Pentalobe Screws

• Use a 1.5mm or 1mm pentalobe screwdriver to remove the bottom screws near the charging port.
• These screws are the same type used on prior iPhone generations.
• Keep them safely stored, as they will be reused during reassembly.

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Pry Open the Back Glass Panel

• Begin lifting the back using a curved screen disassembler, but don’t apply excessive force to avoid scratching the coating.
• Slide in a plastic pry tool along the sides while reapplying heat or alcohol to loosen any stubborn spots.
• Gently lift the back glass, watching for resistance near the top and around the wireless charging pad flex cable.

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Disconnect the NFC and Wireless Charging Pad

• Open the phone like a book to reveal the internals from the back.
• Remove the tri-wing screws holding the NFC pad and pull it off instead of lifting.
• The pad is attached via a flex cable and must be disconnected gently to avoid tearing.

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Remove Brackets and Metal Shields

• Take out all tri-wing and Phillips screws holding down the metal shields over key connectors.
• Start with the metal bracket covering the battery, charging port, and SIM area.
• Proceed to the B-bracket that protects front and rear camera connections.

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Disconnect and Remove Rear Cameras

• Unscrew the rear dual-camera unit using a Phillips driver.
• Carefully detach the connectors and lift the camera out—it’s a 48MP wide and 12MP ultra-wide combo.
• Flash and camera specs are unchanged from the iPhone 14, but it’s still important to handle with care.

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Continue Disconnecting Logic Board Connectors

• Unscrew the logic board’s mounting points with a T2 Torx screwdriver.
• Disconnect battery, charging port, SIM, and front/rear camera flex cables from the board.
• Work from the bottom of the phone up to ensure systematic disconnection.

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Remove Front Face ID Camera

• Gently pull out the Face ID camera after unscrewing its bracket.
• As with previous models, Face ID is paired with the motherboard and can’t be replaced independently.

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Remove the Top Speaker Assembly

• Unscrew the top speaker located near the front camera.
• Detach the Wi-Fi flex cable that comes integrated with the speaker unit.
• Take care not to damage any connectors beneath the board, including the new flex beneath the motherboard.

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Detach the Logic Board

• Unscrew all mounting brackets, including the newly introduced one under the board.
• Lift the board carefully, severing the new connector placed beneath—unique to the iPhone 15.
• This is a notable design change and may relate to 5G or other internal routing.

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Remove Taptic Engine and SIM Reader

• Unscrew the stereo speaker, Taptic Engine, and eSIM module using Torx and Phillips drivers.
• Note that the U.S. version only includes eSIM, while international versions have dual SIM trays.
• Remove components one by one, keeping track of the numerous screws—Apple used 66 total.

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Detach the Front Screen

• Heat the front screen edges with a heat gun to soften adhesive.
• Gently poke a pry tool around the edge to lift the screen, keeping the glass and frame together.
• Always open the screen from the power button side to avoid straining the volume-side flex cables.

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Remove the Battery

• Apply isopropyl alcohol along the adhesive edges of the battery to dissolve the glue.
• Use a concave spudger to lift the battery safely—avoid pulling tabs as they can break or dent the battery.
• The battery is rated at 3,349 mAh, offering a 20% increase over the iPhone 14.

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Remove the USB-C Charging Port

• Remove all visible and hidden screws securing the charging dock, especially near frame corners and mid-port area.
• Wiggle the port out gently, using tension where needed—it’s less adhesive-bound and more screw-secured.
• The new USB-C port offers faster charging and triple the data transfer rates, marking a major design evolution.

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CONCLUSION:

The iPhone 15 brings a more repair-friendly design by allowing rear entry instead of front-first access. While Apple retained much of the hardware from the iPhone 14, key changes include a USB-C port and a slight redesign of internal connectors. The back glass removal process is easier than previous models, but with 66 screws and new flex cable placements, this teardown is still best handled by experienced technicians. Attention to detail and the right tools are critical to safely disassembling this device. Overall, Apple made small but important strides in balancing performance, durability, and repairability.

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VIDEO TUTORIAL:

Looking for a more in-depth tutorial? Check out our complete teardown video for a detailed step-by-step walkthrough.

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MAIL-IN REPAIR SERVICE:

Not comfortable with DIY repairs? Send your device to our experts for professional repair services.

https://tekdep.com/device-repair/

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SHOP PARTS:

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SHOP TOOLS:

Using the right tools ensures a smooth repair process. High-quality screwdrivers, heat guns, and pry tools help prevent damage.

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HAVE QUESTIONS?

Need help with your repair? Contact us at:

• Phone: 818-456-4479
• Email: support@tekdep.com

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YOUR EXPERIENCE MATTERS: