Infra Red is more fantastic than functionnal !!!
It have you believe there is something specific because of using Infra Red
Let's have a look at T862 for example, this is even not infra red, they wrote IRDA on it !
Good News, who knew that IRDA data connection is able to solder sth ???
Aren't they playing with people ??
Back in 1999 years, when first bga phones where out ( V3688, L7089, 8810, 8210, 3310, T18s, T28s, T20s , expensive INFRA RED stations were great to use on old phones ( JVC PDR, ZEVAC, ... )
Nowadays many phones are made with sensitive components like rtc batterys or Electrolytic Diodes that may blovv/explode with IR so they are easier to be reworked with HOT AIR bga stations , because Infra Red heat flow isn't as sharply controlable as hot air is.
Infra Red requires a warm plate from under, and the infra red light gets the heat focused from the bottom to the top.
Hot Air is more convenient to solder local parts successfuly, without heating the whole board.
Now this is a Hot Air era
Check hot air bga stations from : Martin, Weller, Bokar ...
And don't be fooled no more, because of scientific words ...
BR
Max_B