iPhone 14 Plus water damage case study explains a liquid-damaged iPhone 14 Plus that had already been to two repair shops without success. Even after an initial short circuit was fixed, the phone still would not boot until a hidden fault under the NAND storage chip was identified and repaired.
Case Study Summary
- Device: iPhone 14 Plus
- Problem: Liquid damage, phone would not turn on
- Complication: Two previous repair shops could not recover the data
- Fault found: One critical data line dead, corrosion under the NAND chip solder balls
- Outcome: Over 12,000 photos and 700 videos recovered, plus a full iTunes backup
Why water resistant phones can still suffer liquid damage
The video explains a common issue: water resistant phones can still be damaged by liquid, especially after prior repairs such as screen or charging port replacement. If the device is not properly resealed, moisture can enter and cause corrosion on the logic board.
Apple provides guidance on splash, water, and dust resistance and what to do if an iPhone is exposed to liquid: About splash, water, and dust resistance of iPhone.
iPhone 14 Plus water damage case study diagnosis
In this iPhone 14 Plus water damage case study, the specialist connected the phone to a DC power supply to measure current draw and confirm whether the phone was attempting to start. The readings suggested the storage subsystem was not behaving normally, either due to a power issue to the NAND storage chip or compromised data connections.
The engineer traced every power line to the NAND storage chip and confirmed they were all within expected values. That ruled out a simple missing power rail to the NAND area.
Finding the hidden fault under the NAND chip
The next step was testing the data lines between the storage and the processor. One critical data line was completely dead. With liquid damage involved, the specialist suspected corrosion underneath the NAND chip.
After carefully removing the NAND chip, oxidation and corrosion were found on the microscopic solder balls underneath. These faults can be easy to miss without deep board-level testing because the issue may be hidden under the chip rather than visible around it.
Recovery outcome
After addressing the corrosion and restoring proper connections, the phone booted successfully and the data was recovered. The video states the results included over 12,000 photos and 700 videos, and a full iTunes backup delivered on a USB drive.
- Over 12,000 photos recovered
- Over 700 videos recovered
- Full iTunes backup provided on a USB drive
Mobile phone data recovery service process
- Fixed price service for mobile phones and tablets including iPhone
- No pre-quote testing
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- Payment only after successful recovery
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