YIRAN LIN
Teardown Process
step 1–Locate the SIM-card slot and insert a small flat-head screwdriver into the SIM-card notch. Carefully pry the rear cover away in small, controlled increments until it detaches.
step 2–Using a precision screwdriver, unscrew the two screws securing the battery to the mainboard. Carefully peel away the insulating tape on top of the battery, then lift and remove the battery from the housing.
step 3–Peel off the conductive fabric tape covering the flex cable, and pull out the flex cable from both ends of the connectors.
step 4–Use a small screwdriver to remove the screws securing the speaker module to the motherboard, unplug the soldered wires from the connector on the motherboard, and take out the speaker module.
step 5–Use a small screwdriver to remove the remaining three screws on the motherboard, unplug the connector cable between the motherboard and the antenna module, and take out the motherboard.
step 6–Remove the antenna module.
step 7–Use a heat gun to warm the edges of the screen and separate the screen from the frame, then remove the volume and power button assemblies.
step 8–Use a small screwdriver to unscrew the screws at the charging port and remove the charging port.
Overview
Materials Used for Each Component
- Back Cover And Mid Frame
The back cover and mid frame of the Verizon Ellipsis 8 tablet are primarily made of plastic. The back cover features a plastic shell designed with ease of disassembly and repair in mind. The mid frame is also made of plastic, reinforced with metal brackets and screws to ensure structural stability.
2. Screen Assembly
The screen assembly of the Verizon Ellipsis 8 is made of multiple materials to ensure its functionality and durability. The surface consists of a reinforced glass panel, such as Corning Gorilla Glass, which provides scratch and impact resistance. The touch layer uses a transparent conductive material, such as Indium Tin Oxide (ITO), to sense touch input. The LCD display provides image output and works together with a backlight. The midframe is usually made of plastic or aluminum alloy to support and secure the screen assembly. Additionally, the flex cable uses flexible printed circuit (FPC) technology to connect the touch screen to the motherboard, transmitting touch signals and display data.
3. Motherboard And SoC Area
The motherboard and SoC area of the Verizon Ellipsis 8 consist of the PCB (FR4) for support and connections, silicon chips in plastic packages soldered via BGA, thermal materials like paste, copper, or aluminum, plastic and metal connectors, and passive components made of ceramic, metal, or electrolytic materials. These materials ensure mechanical strength, electrical performance, and heat management.
4. Battery and Flex Cables
The Verizon Ellipsis 8 uses a Li-Po soft-pack battery with aluminum-plastic film, lithium-ion electrolyte, copper, and aluminum foils for lightweight, high-density power. Its casing and pads are plastic and foam or silicone for shock and insulation. Flex cables (FPC) made of polyimide or polyester with copper connect the screen, buttons, and camera to the motherboard, with plastic and metal contacts ensuring reliable signal transmission.
Manufacturing and Assembly
The Verizon Ellipsis 8 is made using reinforced glass, multi-layer PCB, BGA chip packaging, soft-pack batteries, and injection-molded or die-cast chassis. The screen is laminated to the midframe, chips and components are surface-mounted and BGA-soldered, and thermal materials are applied to the SoC. Batteries and flex cables are installed and secured with pads, screws, and connectors. The final assembly is fixed with clips and adhesive, then tested for functionality, ensuring precision, reliability, and lightweight design.
Tools Used for Disassembly
1. Small Phillips screwdriver
2. flathead screwdriver
3. heat gun
Two Areas of Interest
For me, the first thing I noticed about this tablet is its unique screen. The screen is surrounded by a midframe, which makes it feel like a very durable tablet, as it doesn’t seem likely to break easily if dropped. This is a point that interests me because it looks different from a typical iPad and seems well-suited for outdoor activities. During the disassembly process, I also found that the screen is relatively easy to remove, which suggests that the design may have considered replacement, allowing the tablet to have a longer lifespan.
The second aspect is its clean internal layout, with clearly defined module sections and a compact arrangement of the motherboard and screen. Each component is very easy to remove, and the entire assembly is secured with only ten screws. I think this is a very clever choice, as it makes the tablet relatively easy to disassemble with a clear removal path, facilitating replacements. This is also a great way to extend the lifespan of the device, while keeping the body lightweight and slim.