The problem with dismantling the phone or object is that you don't know if it is booby trapped. The other problem is that you also don't know if it has a secondary power source.
I also had a security incident at 35000 feet , mid Atlantic, meaning we had to go through a mobile Phone deactivation procedure, and I don't mind telling you, there is more to it than meets the eye.
Had I had the opportunity to drop it out of the window, I probably would have!
(barometric switches, etc not withstanding)
P.s ATC are supposed to be there to help us, not the other way around. They need to remember who their customers are.