Galaxy S5 - Teardown

It’s finally here: The new Samsung Galaxy S5 is available for purchase. With its latest flagship model, Samsung is raising the bar a little higher in the upper price segment. We’ll show you what to expect inside the Galaxy S5, and tell you whether repairs are easier than for previous models.

Let’s take a quick look at the key data:

• OS: Android 4.4.2 (KitKat)
• Dimensions: 142.0 x 72.5 x 8.1 mm, 145 g
• Display:5.1” FHD Super AMOLED (1920 x 1080), 432 ppi
• RAM: 2 GB
• Memory: 16/32 GB + microSD slot (up to 128 GB)
• Rear camera: 16 MP (1/2.6", phase detection AF)
• Front camera: 2 MP (1920 x 1080, wide-angle lens)
• Battery: 2800 mAh

No changes so far:
Like in all previous Samsung models, the first step is removing the back cover. Up to this point, everything’s as easy as it was in the previous models.
The Galaxy S5’s back cover has a dotted texture and rubber coating, giving it a very different feel from the last model, the Galaxy S4.
You can also clearly see the rubber sealing in the second picture. It keeps water out of the interior.

The first little surprise is the battery: It has an increased capacity and a different shape. Now with 2800 mAh, this battery is supposed to last 20% longer than the previous version, and is rectangular instead of square. But it’s just as easy to remove as it was in the earlier models. Tools used so far: 0

We finally get to use a screwdriver. Our tool of choice: the Wiha ESD PH00. We remove the three screws on the back that help hold the midframe in place. There’s also the closure for the fingerprint sensor and the Home button, which is hidden under a cover (see figure 2).
Afterwards, taking this phone apart is already very different than it was for previous models. Even though we’ve removed all the screws from the back, we still can’t take off the midframe. Why? IP67. This new standard is supposed to make the Samsung Galaxy S5 dustproof and waterproof (30 min. at a depth of up to 1 meter).

We’ve gotten the hardest part done. Now it’s the same old Samsung routine, and we unscrew ten screws to free the midframe. We use the spudger to disconnect the frame from the enclosure. Be careful. It’s hard to figure out how much force you need to apply to detach the frame. This step may try your patience. You have to undo the plastic brackets. Lift the frame at the charging port.

Now we’re entering uncharted territory in terms of Samsung Galaxy repairs. We have to detach the display, which is glued on. This is a serious step backward for repairs, and is the main difference from the previous models, which you could usually take apart all the way with just a screwdriver and a spudger.

We carefully heat the display to soften the glue under it so we can detach it. Using picks, we gradually work our way around the display. Please note: To avoid damaging the display cable, never insert the pick more than 5 mm at the upper edge of the display. You can also only insert the pick about 2 mm at the Home button. The red areas are off-limits for the pick.

Now, the display seems to be completely detached. But be careful. You still have to disconnect the display cable near the earpiece before you can continue lifting the screen. You also have to guide the fingerprint sensor cable through the gap in the midframe. We still don’t know whether every Home button cable is only assigned to a single processor for security reasons (like for the iPhone 5s). Once you’ve disconnected all the contacts, you can finally take off the screen. The display unit is very thin. This must’ve been a major technical challenge for Samsung. Well done!

The Home button is firmly glued to the back of the display. We heat the cable set again and carefully remove the Home button without scratching the back.

There’s still a screw holding the logic board in place. We unscrew it. Before we take out the logic board, we disconnect the two antenna cables and the ribbon cable on the bottom of the logic board. Now the logic board is uncovered.

The processor experts at Chipwork have already taken the trouble to identify the most important chips on the logic board.

The vibration motor and the charging port ribbon cable are still on the frame. We heat both of them briefly and can then easily remove them from the frame.

The audio port and speaker are only lightly glued in place. We heat the glue briefly and then take out both parts. That was easy!

We’ll start with the biggest change: The Samsung Galaxy S5’s display is glued in place. Of course, Samsung had to do this to get the IP67 certification. Unfortunately, that means extra work and a major step backward for anyone who wants to repair this smartphone. You have to be very careful when removing the display. It’s also harder to replace other parts because you almost always have to remove the display. We’re sorry to say that repairing the S5 is a lot more work than it was for previous models.
In terms of repairs, we have to give Samsung’s new flagship model a pretty bad grade.

You can remove the battery without tools
Glued-on parts
The LCD and glass are a single unit and will make replacing the display expensive
Display is glued on; requires heat gun and patience
You can’t replace a lot of the parts unless you take off the display