First look inside iPhone 4 reveals high reuse

At the launch of the iPhone 4 in June, Apple confirmed it was one of the first smartphones to use a MEMS gyro.

The iPhone 4 is the first to use the ST Micro L3G4200D three-axis MEMS gyro. UBM TechInsights confirmed the gyro is an SAT part based on die markings. It offers digital output which eliminates the need for conversion circuits needed for devices that output analog signals.

"Going with the ST device makes a lot of sense since they also use an ST three-axis accelerometer," said Bitton.

The iPhone 4 uses the LIS331DH 3-axis accelerometer, another part in common with the iPad.

The back side of the main logic board in the Apple iPhone 4 Click on image to enlarge.

Apple is driving a new CoreMotion API based on the use of the gyro, accelerometer and a digital compass. It will be interesting to see whether application developers make use of the gyro which is only available on the iPhone 4, forcing them to create different versions of their code for other Apple products, he added.

The phone's front-facing five-Mpixel camera is most likely the Omnivision OV5650 based on specifications and preliminary die photos inspection. It is a relatively modern choice compared to image sensors in past iPhones, and it supports Omnivision's backside illumination technology.

"Typically Apple uses older image sensors to save a few dollars," said Bitton.

The front-facing image sensor is also from Omnivision, the OV7675 a VGA-resolution device.

The use of three Skyworks analog front-end communications modules in the iPhone 4 is more true to Apple's penchant for older, less integrated parts. The three modules support separate GSM/GPRS, WCDMA and Euro-Asia band cellular radios.

UBM TechInsights published initial results of its teardown on its Web site. Apple published a basic list of the iPhone 4's tech specs online.