samsung galaxy s iii teardown

8/11/2019 Samsung Galaxy S III Teardown

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Back to Samsung Galaxy S III

Samsung Galaxy S IIIThe Samsung Galaxy S3 is a multi-touch, slate-format smartphone with eye-tracking ability, increasedstorage, and a wireless charging option.

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Samsung Galaxy S III Teardown

TeardownTeardowns provide a look inside a device and should not be used as disassembly instructions.

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Anxious to have theGalaxy S 3in the palm of your hand? Join us as we take an excitingsneak peek at the Samsung Galaxy S III, the appropriately-named successor to theGalaxy S II. Images provided courtesy ofChipworks!

FollowiFixiton Twitter if you're keen on getting the latest updates on our teardowns!

Tools

Spudger

Phillips #0 Screwdriver
https://www.ifixit.com/Device/Samsung_Galaxy_S_IIIhttps://www.ifixit.com/Device/Samsung_Galaxy_S_IIIhttps://www.ifixit.com/Device/Samsung_Galaxy_S_IIIhttps://www.ifixit.com/Device/Samsung_Galaxy_S_IIIhttps://www.ifixit.com/Device/Samsung_Galaxy_S_IIIhttps://www.ifixit.com/Device/Samsung_Galaxy_S_III#guideListhttps://www.ifixit.com/Device/Samsung_Galaxy_S_III#guideListhttps://www.ifixit.com/Answers/Device/Samsung%20Galaxy%20S%20IIIhttps://www.ifixit.com/Answers/Device/Samsung%20Galaxy%20S%20IIIhttps://www.ifixit.com/Store/Toolshttps://www.ifixit.com/Store/Toolshttps://www.ifixit.com/Guide/new/Device/Samsung+Galaxy+S+IIIhttps://www.ifixit.com/Guide/new/Device/Samsung+Galaxy+S+IIIhttp://www.amazonwireless.com/dp/B008HTJMY6/ref=as_li_tf_tl?_encoding=UTF8&tag=ifixit0d-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B008HTJMY6http://www.amazonwireless.com/dp/B008HTJMY6/ref=as_li_tf_tl?_encoding=UTF8&tag=ifixit0d-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B008HTJMY6http://www.amazonwireless.com/dp/B008HTJMY6/ref=as_li_tf_tl?_encoding=UTF8&tag=ifixit0d-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B008HTJMY6http://www.chipworks.com/http://www.chipworks.com/http://www.chipworks.com/http://www.twitter.com/ifixithttp://www.twitter.com/ifixithttp://www.twitter.com/ifixithttp://www.ifixit.com/Tools/Spudger/IF145-002http://www.ifixit.com/Tools/Phillips-0-Screwdriver/IF145-005-3http://www.ifixit.com/Tools/Phillips-0-Screwdriver/IF145-005-3http://www.ifixit.com/Tools/Spudger/IF145-002http://www.dozuki.com/http://www.ifixit.com/Tools/Phillips-0-Screwdriver/IF145-005-3http://www.ifixit.com/Tools/Spudger/IF145-002http://www.twitter.com/ifixithttp://www.chipworks.com/http://www.amazonwireless.com/dp/B008HTJMY6/ref=as_li_tf_tl?_encoding=UTF8&tag=ifixit0d-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B008HTJMY6http://www.dozuki.com/http://www.dozuki.com/https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/new/Device/Samsung+Galaxy+S+IIIhttps://www.ifixit.com/Guide/new/Device/Samsung+Galaxy+S+IIIhttps://www.ifixit.com/Store/Toolshttps://www.ifixit.com/Answers/Device/Samsung%20Galaxy%20S%20IIIhttps://www.ifixit.com/Device/Samsung_Galaxy_S_III#guideListhttps://www.ifixit.com/Device/Samsung_Galaxy_S_IIIhttps://www.ifixit.com/Device/Samsung_Galaxy_S_III


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EditStep 1 Samsung Galaxy S III Teardown

First, let's give thanks where thanks are due: a big, solid, awesome thanks toChipworksfor

providing the pictures for this teardown. We greatly appreciate their help for the Samsung Galaxy S

III!

Here's their full analysison the Galaxy S III.
https://www.ifixit.com/api/2.0/guides/9391?type=xmlhttps://www.ifixit.com/api/2.0/guides/9391?type=xmlhttps://www.ifixit.com/Teardown/Samsung+Galaxy+S+III+Teardown/9391#embedhttps://www.ifixit.com/Teardown/Samsung+Galaxy+S+III+Teardown/9391#embedhttps://www.ifixit.com/Teardown/edit/9391/36090http://www.chipworks.com/http://www.chipworks.com/http://www.chipworks.com/http://www.chipworks.com/en/technical-competitive-analysis/resources/recent-teardowns/2012/06/inside-the-samsung-galaxy-siii/http://www.chipworks.com/en/technical-competitive-analysis/resources/recent-teardowns/2012/06/inside-the-samsung-galaxy-siii/http://www.chipworks.com/en/technical-competitive-analysis/resources/recent-teardowns/2012/06/inside-the-samsung-galaxy-siii/http://www.chipworks.com/https://www.ifixit.com/Teardown/edit/9391/36090https://www.ifixit.com/Teardown/Samsung+Galaxy+S+III+Teardown/9391#embedhttps://www.ifixit.com/api/2.0/guides/9391?type=xml


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EditStep 2

Arguably the most hyped-up Android phone to ever hit the market, the Samsung Galaxy S III has an

impressive list of accolades. Here are some of the heavy-hitting tech specs:

o Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich

o 4.8" Super AMOLED 720 x 1280 resolution display

o

1.4 GHz quad-core application processor

o 2100 mAh battery

o 8 MP rear-facing and 1.9 MP front-facing cameras

o 16, 32, or 64 GB of internal storage

Pictured here next to the Samsung Galaxy S2 (left) for comparison.
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EditStep 3

The simple, sleek design of the newest Galaxy S implements a standard power/sleep button on the

side of the device.

As we ready ourselves to dig into this Galaxy S, it watches us with its rear 8 MP camera. To the left

and right of the camera are the flash and speaker assemblies.

o

The Galaxy S is not only watching us, butlistening,as well.
https://www.ifixit.com/Teardown/edit/9391/36080http://mashable.com/2012/05/29/sensory-galaxy-s-iii/http://mashable.com/2012/05/29/sensory-galaxy-s-iii/http://mashable.com/2012/05/29/sensory-galaxy-s-iii/http://mashable.com/2012/05/29/sensory-galaxy-s-iii/https://www.ifixit.com/Teardown/edit/9391/36080


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EditStep 4

Much like in theGalaxy Nexus,we find a user serviceable battery in the Samsung Galaxy S III.

The 3.8 V, 2100 mAh battery incorporates the antenna for theNear Field Communications(NFC)

module used in"S Beam".

o For those who are curious, 2100 mAh is equivalent to 7560 Coulombs of charge. Unsurprisingly,

this is the same amount of charge that a 3.8V, 7.98 Wh battery holds.

Well this is interesting. It would seem Samsung wants us to "refer to [the] manual before using [the]

battery?" Yeah, like that's gonna happen...
https://www.ifixit.com/Teardown/edit/9391/36081https://www.ifixit.com/Teardown/Samsung+Galaxy+Nexus+Teardown/7182https://www.ifixit.com/Teardown/Samsung+Galaxy+Nexus+Teardown/7182https://www.ifixit.com/Teardown/Samsung+Galaxy+Nexus+Teardown/7182http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Near_field_communicationhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Near_field_communicationhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Near_field_communicationhttp://www.phonearena.com/news/Samsung-Galaxy-S-III-S-Beam-feature-demo_id29803http://www.phonearena.com/news/Samsung-Galaxy-S-III-S-Beam-feature-demo_id29803http://www.phonearena.com/news/Samsung-Galaxy-S-III-S-Beam-feature-demo_id29803http://www.phonearena.com/news/Samsung-Galaxy-S-III-S-Beam-feature-demo_id29803http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Near_field_communicationhttps://www.ifixit.com/Teardown/Samsung+Galaxy+Nexus+Teardown/7182https://www.ifixit.com/Teardown/edit/9391/36081


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EditStep 5

Internals time. Thespudgertakes care of the first two plastic assemblies.

The first piece out is the rear plastic frame that protects the motherboard and houses a single liquid

indicator sticker.

o Should your Galaxy S III ever take a swim, be sure to stick it in one of iFixit's Thirsty Bags.

Removal of the frame grants us access to an easily replaceable speaker assembly.
https://www.ifixit.com/Teardown/edit/9391/36082https://www.ifixit.com/Store/Tools/Spudger/IF145-002https://www.ifixit.com/Store/Tools/Spudger/IF145-002https://www.ifixit.com/Store/Tools/Spudger/IF145-002https://www.ifixit.com/Store/Tools/Thirsty-Bag/IF145-163https://www.ifixit.com/Store/Tools/Thirsty-Bag/IF145-163https://www.ifixit.com/Store/Tools/Thirsty-Bag/IF145-163https://www.ifixit.com/Store/Tools/Thirsty-Bag/IF145-163https://www.ifixit.com/Store/Tools/Spudger/IF145-002https://www.ifixit.com/Teardown/edit/9391/36082


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EditStep 6

The big question now is what we should remove first. So many components in such a small volume!

Rear-facing camera you say? Sure, let's pry that 8 MP behemoth of a camera out from the inner

framework.
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EditStep 7

We continue by removing the motherboard from the inner framework.

With the motherboard out of the way, we can get a good look at the inner support frame. While we

suspect that the frame is probably magnesium, we do not yet have anyconcrete proof.

We find a chip that isn't attached to the motherboard: aMelfas 8PL533Touch Sensor that

translates your touch inputs into zeroes and ones.
https://www.ifixit.com/Teardown/edit/9391/36086https://www.ifixit.com/Teardown/Samsung+Galaxy+S+4G+Teardown/4977#s22394https://www.ifixit.com/Teardown/Samsung+Galaxy+S+4G+Teardown/4977#s22394https://www.ifixit.com/Teardown/Samsung+Galaxy+S+4G+Teardown/4977#s22394http://melfas.en.ec21.com/http://melfas.en.ec21.com/http://melfas.en.ec21.com/http://melfas.en.ec21.com/https://www.ifixit.com/Teardown/Samsung+Galaxy+S+4G+Teardown/4977#s22394https://www.ifixit.com/Teardown/edit/9391/36086


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EditStep 8

Let's talk tools for a minute.

We don't just make awesome teardownswe sellparts.Andtools!Lots and lots of tools.

Like thishandy-dandy electronics tool kitthat we used to take apart the new iPad. You know you

want one. It'll pay for itself the first time you use it!

We sellMac parts & upgrades,parts foriPhone screen repair,kits for fixing the infamousXbox Red

Ring of Death,and tons more.

We need your supportto continue building thefree repair manualfor everything in the world.
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EditStep 9

Chipworks eagerly provided us with pictures of the motherboard less than an hour into the

teardown! Here is the front of the motherboard:

o MurataM2322007WiFi Module

o SamsungExynos 4412quad-core A9 processor with1 GB LP DDR2 Green

Memory(K3PE7E700M-XGC2)

o SamsungKMVTU000LMeMMC(16GB)+MDDR(64MB) NAND Flash

o Intel Wireless PMB9811X Gold Baseband processor

o MAX77693 and MAX77686

o BroadcomBCM47511Integrated Monolithic GNSS Receiver

o

33ODC 2214 4TP AC
https://www.ifixit.com/Teardown/edit/9391/36085http://www.murata-ws.com/wi-fi.htmhttp://www.murata-ws.com/wi-fi.htmhttp://www.murata-ws.com/wi-fi.htmhttp://pdadb.net/index.php?m=cpu&id=a4412&c=samsung_exynos_4412http://pdadb.net/index.php?m=cpu&id=a4412&c=samsung_exynos_4412http://pdadb.net/index.php?m=cpu&id=a4412&c=samsung_exynos_4412https://chipworks.secure.force.com/catalog/ProductDetails?sku=SAM-K3PE7E700M-XGC1&viewState=DetailView&cartID=&g=&parentCategory=&navigationStr=CatalogSearchInc&searchText=circuithttps://chipworks.secure.force.com/catalog/ProductDetails?sku=SAM-K3PE7E700M-XGC1&viewState=DetailView&cartID=&g=&parentCategory=&navigationStr=CatalogSearchInc&searchText=circuithttps://chipworks.secure.force.com/catalog/ProductDetails?sku=SAM-K3PE7E700M-XGC1&viewState=DetailView&cartID=&g=&parentCategory=&navigationStr=CatalogSearchInc&searchText=circuithttps://chipworks.secure.force.com/catalog/ProductDetails?sku=SAM-K3PE7E700M-XGC1&viewState=DetailView&cartID=&g=&parentCategory=&navigationStr=CatalogSearchInc&searchText=circuithttp://www.samsung.com/global/business/semiconductor/product/mcp/detail?productId=7632&iaId=860http://www.samsung.com/global/business/semiconductor/product/mcp/detail?productId=7632&iaId=860http://www.samsung.com/global/business/semiconductor/product/mcp/detail?productId=7632&iaId=860http://www.broadcom.com/products/GPS/GPS-Silicon-Solutions/BCM47511http://www.broadcom.com/products/GPS/GPS-Silicon-Solutions/BCM47511http://www.broadcom.com/products/GPS/GPS-Silicon-Solutions/BCM47511http://www.broadcom.com/products/GPS/GPS-Silicon-Solutions/BCM47511http://www.samsung.com/global/business/semiconductor/product/mcp/detail?productId=7632&iaId=860https://chipworks.secure.force.com/catalog/ProductDetails?sku=SAM-K3PE7E700M-XGC1&viewState=DetailView&cartID=&g=&parentCategory=&navigationStr=CatalogSearchInc&searchText=circuithttps://chipworks.secure.force.com/catalog/ProductDetails?sku=SAM-K3PE7E700M-XGC1&viewState=DetailView&cartID=&g=&parentCategory=&navigationStr=CatalogSearchInc&searchText=circuithttp://pdadb.net/index.php?m=cpu&id=a4412&c=samsung_exynos_4412http://www.murata-ws.com/wi-fi.htmhttps://www.ifixit.com/Teardown/edit/9391/36085


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EditStep 10

Bottom of motherboard:

o

Wolfson Microelectronics WM1811stereo codec

o Skyworks SKY77604Multi-Band Power amplifier

o Silicon Image 9244low-power MHL Transmitter

o NXP PN544 NFC Chip.

o InfineonPMB5712RF transceiver
https://www.ifixit.com/Teardown/edit/9391/36088http://www.wolfsonmicro.com/products/audio_hubs/WM1811/http://www.wolfsonmicro.com/products/audio_hubs/WM1811/http://www.skyworksinc.com/Product.aspx?ProductID=720http://www.skyworksinc.com/Product.aspx?ProductID=720http://www.siliconimage.com/products/product.aspx?pid=169http://www.siliconimage.com/products/product.aspx?pid=169https://chipworks.secure.force.com/catalog/ProductDetails?sku=INF-PMB5712&viewState=DetailView&cartID=&g=https://chipworks.secure.force.com/catalog/ProductDetails?sku=INF-PMB5712&viewState=DetailView&cartID=&g=https://chipworks.secure.force.com/catalog/ProductDetails?sku=INF-PMB5712&viewState=DetailView&cartID=&g=https://chipworks.secure.force.com/catalog/ProductDetails?sku=INF-PMB5712&viewState=DetailView&cartID=&g=http://www.siliconimage.com/products/product.aspx?pid=169http://www.skyworksinc.com/Product.aspx?ProductID=720http://www.wolfsonmicro.com/products/audio_hubs/WM1811/https://www.ifixit.com/Teardown/edit/9391/36088


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2EditStep 11

The glass is fused to the display, and the display to the Galaxy S III's frame.

This will greatly increase the amount of money one has to spend when replacing the glass, should

one be unfortunate enough to break it.
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EditStep 12

Some more shots of that saucy camera, including a Chipworks x-ray!

Chipworksreportthat the camera has a Sony BSI sensor. Contrary to earlier reports, their initial

inspection suggests it is a new sensor, and not the same one used in the iPhone 4S.The bond pad

arrangement is not the same as the IMX145 found in the iPhone 4S nor is it the same as the

IMX105 found in previous Samsung phones.
https://www.ifixit.com/Teardown/edit/9391/36092http://www.chipworks.com/en/technical-competitive-analysis/resources/recent-teardowns/2012/06/inside-the-samsung-galaxy-siii/http://www.chipworks.com/en/technical-competitive-analysis/resources/recent-teardowns/2012/06/inside-the-samsung-galaxy-siii/http://www.chipworks.com/en/technical-competitive-analysis/resources/recent-teardowns/2012/06/inside-the-samsung-galaxy-siii/https://www.ifixit.com/Teardown/iPhone+4S+Teardown/6610https://www.ifixit.com/Teardown/iPhone+4S+Teardown/6610https://www.ifixit.com/Teardown/iPhone+4S+Teardown/6610https://www.ifixit.com/Store/Parts/Standard-Issue-Tee/IF179-030https://www.ifixit.com/Teardown/iPhone+4S+Teardown/6610http://www.chipworks.com/en/technical-competitive-analysis/resources/recent-teardowns/2012/06/inside-the-samsung-galaxy-siii/https://www.ifixit.com/Teardown/edit/9391/36092


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EditStep 13

Update:This teardown was conducted solely via Interweb, requiring us to defer judgment on a

repairability score. Now that we'veworked on it ourselves,we can assign it a fair score:

Samsung Galaxy SIII Repairability Score: 8 out of 10(10 is easiest to repair)

The battery can be replaced without any tools.

Very easy to open and access internal components.

There are only 12 screws in the entire device, all standard Phillips #0 (no proprietary or security

sizes).

Smaller components (antennas, vibrator, light sensor) are modular and can be replaced individually,

but are adhered to the front panel.

The glass is fused to both the display and the display frame, increasing repair costs.

You'll have to go through the entire phone in order to replace the front panel, since everything is

built into the back of it.

Required ToolsPhillips #0 Screwdriver

$5.95 50+ In stock

Spudger

$2.95 50+ In stock

Recommended Tools

54 Bit Driver Kit

$24.95 50+ In stock

Magnetic Project Mat$19.95 50+ In stock

Pro Tech Screwdriver Set

$59.95 50+ In stock

Anti-Static Project Tray

$4.95 50+ In stock

Popular Device Products

Samsung Galaxy S III S3 Motherboard L710 (Sprint)

$79.95 5 In stock
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