We’ve only recently heard reports that Apple and Samsung’s manufacturing partnership is virtually ending next year. But the latest teardown from the engineers at iFixit suggests that the two companies can’t quite get rid of each other just yet. The deconstruction exposed a Samsung 7.9″ display, and also revealed that the device shared a few design characteristics as the iPhone 5. Externally, the diamond-cut chamfers are a clear example, but inside, it’s just as tricky to take apart and repair as Apple’s 6th gen iPhone.

Among the important discoveries were:

1. Apple’s A5 chip packs in 512MB RAM, the same processor that’s in the latest iPod touch.
2. The battery specs: 3.78 V, 16.9 Whr, 4400 mAh cell unit. iPad 2 has 50% more power.
3. As mentioned earlier, the LCD panel is made by Samsung, as is the driver.
4. Interestingly, the glass panel on the front is a separate unit to the actual display panel. It’s not fused together like the Kindle Fire HD and Nexus 7.
5. The back was virtually impossible to remove thanks to Apple’s excessive adhesion and fixings.
6. The iPad mini does have stereo speakers!
7. Above each speaker is an antenna (Bluetooth and Wi-Fi).

So, Amazon’s claim that the iPad mini wasn’t stereo was misguided. I mean, what did they think that extra speaker-grille was for? Decoration perhaps? Microphones are traditionally placed on top of iPads, not on the bottom edge like the iPhone. Anyhow, take a look at the gallery below or check out iFixit’s in-depth post if you want to know more.

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Gallery