Behind the Faceplate of Sharp’s 921SH

The Nikkei Electronics ‘Teardown Squad’ has cracked open the 921SH handset by Sharp which recently became available via SoftBank Mobile. One of the main features of this model, touted successor to the 913SH and 920SH released last year, is of course the fingertip tracing sensitive screen and motion control sensor functionality. In a valiant effort “to determine the differences and similarities” between the past and present models they have posted detailed findings, with photos, Here. We also noted their Dissecting the Japanese Mobile Phone article posted back in March.

The LSIs mounted on the 921SH main board were composed of a number of chips that were the same as those used in the 913SH and the SoftBank 920SH, which was manufactured by Sharp and sold by SoftBank in November 2007. In particular, the chipset related to the communication functions and the application processor were identical to those used in the 920SH.

The same communication-related chip is also used in the 913SH. The application processor in the 913SH was made by the same manufacturer but with a slightly different model number. The same manufacturer provided the flash memory and other components for these three models.

The 921SH has a sensor available from Analog Devices Inc so that the handset can be operated by shaking or tilting the main unit. Assuming from the model number, the IC in the upper right photo is most likely an angular velocity sensor.

‘Teardown Squad’.. how cool is that, gotta wonder where we can buy a t-shirt..!?! All kidding aside it’s certainly interesting to note the different (non-Japanese) chips inside these handsets and the gradual YoY evolution between the series models. Sugoi!

Update: They have just posted a round one peek-a-boo of the 922SH Here.