The iPad WiFi + 3G model has been launched on Friday, 30 April by Apple. This launch has bought some discoveries which includes the teardown of this device.

As always, the teardown of the latest model of Apple iPad WiFi + 3G tablet has been done by the staff of iFixit. By tearing down the device they revealed some hidden technical hardware information which was never disclosed before.

Those hardware information includes a dedicated attachment of communications mini board into the iPad 3G model that controls all the 3G functions of device, the same Infineon PMB 8878 X-Gold IC has been used in iPad 3G which was used in iPhone 3GS phones.

Below is the list of hardware and changes found in the iPad WiFi + 3G model while it’s teardown:

• The immediate visible difference is the inclusion of a black plastic RF window on top of the iPad for better antenna reception.
• The black RF window significantly changes the opening procedure. You cannot start separating the display using the notches on the top (à la Wi-Fi version), since that will undoubtedly break the RF window. You have to start from the right side and gingerly proceed to the top and bottom of the iPad.
• There are actually FIVE antennas in this iPad:
  • Two antennas handle the cell reception — one is in the RF window on top, the other attaches to the LCD frame.
  • A single GPS antenna is also housed in the RF window on top.
  • Just like the iPad Wi-Fi, there are two antennas that handle Wi-Fi / Bluetooth connectivity, one in the Apple logo and another to the left of the dock connector.
• You heard that right, folks: Apple looks to be using the entire LCD frame as an antenna! * Who would’ve thought: Apple uses the same 3G baseband processor in both the iPhone 3GS and the iPad 3G.
• The baseband processor in question is the Infineon 337S3754 PMB 8878 X-Gold IC. It was actually white-labeled on the production unit, but with enough sleuthing we were able to confirm its true identity.
• The iPad 3G has a Broadcom BCM4750UBG Single-Chip AGPS Solution, whereas the iPhone 3GS uses an Infineon Hammerhead II package. Big win for Broadcom!
• Apple did not change any major suppliers between manufacturing the pre-production unit they provided the FCC and their final production run.

To see more high quality photos of iPad WiFi + 3G teardown then head-on to this page.

[ BGR via iFixit ]