The front-facing camera isn’t working or your pictures are blurry.

In this repair guide, we show you how to replace your Samsung Galaxy S3’s defective front camera on your own. You need this repair if the front camera isn’t working, the aperture doesn’t open, or your pictures are blurry.

Required tools

  • Menda ESD Spudger

    Menda ESD Spudger

    You need a flat plastic prying tool to disconnect the various plugs and connectors.

    from €26.38 on Amazon
  • Steel Laboratory Spatula

    Steel Laboratory Spatula

    You need a flat and sturdy prying tool to disconnect glued parts.

    on Amazon
  • Phillips PH00 screwdriver

    Phillips PH00 screwdriver

    You need the right screwdriver for removing PH00 screws.

    from €10.84 on Amazon
Show all replacement parts for the Galaxy S3 

Getting started with the repair of your Galaxy S3

If you get stuck or have questions, you can post a comment. We’d be happy to help.

17 steps
  1. Removing the back cover

    Galaxy S3 - Removing the back cover 01
    Galaxy S3 - Removing the back cover 02
    1. Insert the spudger into the gap next to the headphones. Carefully lift the back cover. There are 16 clips on the outside under the back cover. You have to disconnect them by moving the spudger around the entire smartphone one time. Alternatively, you can detach the back cover using your fingernails.
    2. Then you can take off the back cover.
  2. Removing the battery

    Galaxy S3 - Removing the battery 01
    Galaxy S3 - Removing the battery 02
    1. If your Samsung Galaxy’s still on, turn it off now by holding down the standby button for about three seconds and following the prompt on the display.
    2. Now use the spudger or your fingertip to lift the battery (see figure 1) and then remove it (see figure 2).
  3. Removing the SIM card

    Galaxy S3 - Removing the SIM card 01
    Galaxy S3 - Removing the SIM card 02
    1. Use the spudger or your finger to push the SIM card all the way into the slot (see figure 1). After a gentle click, the SIM card will come out (see figure 2).
    2. Now you can pull it out with your fingers.
    3. Repeat this process if you’ve installed a microSD card.
  4. Removing the speaker/headphone output

    Galaxy S3 - Removing the speaker/headphone output 01
    Galaxy S3 - Removing the speaker/headphone output 02
    1. First, disconnect the connector on the speaker/headphone output cable.
      Speaker/headphone output
      Make sure you don’t break off the resistors that are soldered onto the logic board.
    2. Place the pointed tip of the spudger very slightly below the contact and lift it up (see figure 1).
    3. Now use the spudger to carefully lift the speaker from the side (see figure 2).
  5. Disconnecting the connectors

    Galaxy S3 - Disconnecting the connectors 01
    Galaxy S3 - Disconnecting the connectors 02
    Galaxy S3 - Disconnecting the connectors 03
    Galaxy S3 - Disconnecting the connectors 04
    Galaxy S3 - Disconnecting the connectors 05
    1. Now you can disconnect the following four connectors. Be very careful (see figure 1).
      LCD
      Volume controller/earpiece
      Front camera
      Wi-Fi
      Make sure you don’t break off the resistors that are soldered onto the logic board.
    2. Place the pointed tip of the spudger very slightly below the contact and lift it up (see figures 2 to 5).
  6. Removing the logic board

    Galaxy S3 - Removing the logic board 01
    Galaxy S3 - Removing the logic board 02
    Galaxy S3 - Removing the logic board 03
    1. Unscrew the screw holding the logic board in place (see figure 1).
      1 x 3.0 mm Phillips screw
    2. Now you can carefully lift the logic board using the spudger (see figure 2) and remove it by hand (see figure 3). The rear camera sometimes sticks a little bit. Be careful.
  7. Removing the front camera

    Galaxy S3 - Removing the front camera 01
    Galaxy S3 - Removing the front camera 02
    1. There’s still a screw holding the front camera in place (see figure 1). Remove it.
      1 x 2.0 mm Phillips screw
    2. Now use the laboratory spatula or spudger to lift the bracket, and then remove the camera and bracket (see figure 2).
  8. Installing the front camera

    Galaxy S3 - Installing the front camera 01
    Galaxy S3 - Installing the front camera 02
    1. Now put the front camera back where it was originally. Make sure it’s fitted securely (see figure 1).
    2. Then fasten it with the Phillips screw (see figure 2).
      1 x 2.0 mm Phillips screw
  9. The right tools for your repair

    With the right tools, you will succeed in any repair. In our store you will find a large selection of professional quality tools.
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  10. Installing the logic board

    Galaxy S3 - Installing the logic board 01
    Galaxy S3 - Installing the logic board 02
    1. Now put the logic board back in the frame. Start with the rear camera connected to the logic board. Once it’s fitted correctly, you can install the rest of the logic board (see figure 1).
    2. Make sure the LCD cable and front camera cable don’t get under the logic board.
    3. Use the picture to check whether your logic board is aligned correctly (see figure 2).
    4. Now fasten the screw for the logic board (see figure 2).
      1 x 3.0 mm Phillips screw
  11. Connecting the connections

    Galaxy S3 - Connecting the connections 01
    1. Now plug the following four connectors into the corresponding connections. Use your finger to carefully press them into place. Only use as much pressure as you need for the contacts to gently click into place.
      LCD
      Volume controller/earpiece
      Front camera
      Wi-Fi
  12. Installing the speaker/headphone output

    Galaxy S3 - Installing the speaker/headphone output 01
    Galaxy S3 - Installing the speaker/headphone output 02
    1. Now put the speaker back in (see figure 1).
    2. If it’s fitted properly, you can connect the connector (see figure 2).
  13. Attaching the plastic cover

    Galaxy S3 - Attaching the plastic cover 01
    Galaxy S3 - Attaching the plastic cover 02
    1. Now put on the plastic cover and make sure that it clicks into place properly (see figure 1).
    2. Then screw it on (see figure 2).
      10 x 4.0 mm Phillips screws
  14. Inserting the SIM and microSD cards

    Galaxy S3 - Inserting the SIM and microSD cards 01
    1. Now slide the SIM card and the microSD card, if you have one, back into the corresponding slots.
  15. Installing the battery

    Galaxy S3 - Installing the battery 01
    1. Put the battery back in. The +/- symbols have to be touching the contact point.
  16. Attaching the back cover

    Galaxy S3 - Attaching the back cover 01
    1. It’s very easy to put the back cover back on. Put it on in the correct position and press it on all the way around the phone until all the clips have clicked into place.
  17. Removing the plastic cover

    Galaxy S3 - Removing the plastic cover 01
    Galaxy S3 - Removing the plastic cover 02
    Galaxy S3 - Removing the plastic cover 03
    1. Remove the 10 Phillips screws that hold the plastic cover in place (see figure 1).
      10 x 4.0 mm Phillips screws
    2. Use the spudger or your fingernails to lift the cover from the inside. Only insert the spudger about 2 millimeters (see figure 2) and carefully lift the cover until it’s detached (see figure 3).
  18. Final test

    1. Start your Samsung Galaxy S4 and enter the following key combination:
      *#0*#
    2. Then press the call button.
    3. Now you can check all the functions.
Ø 5 (4 Ratings)

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