Samsung Galaxy S III Motherboard Replacement

When prying open the rear case, use a plastic opening tool or fingernail to avoid breaking any clips.

• Insert the tool into the notch between the rear case and the rest of the phone at the top.
• Gently twist the tool to release the top clips securing the rear case.

Slide the plastic opening tool left along the top edge, repeating the twisting motion.

Make sure the gap between the rear case and the phone is wide enough for disassembly.

• Continue to pry open the rear case until access is gained.

Move the plastic opening tool clockwise around the top left corner, carefully prying up the rear case.

Start by prying along the top right edge.

• Continue prying down the entire right side of the rear case.

Lift the rear case upwards and remove.

• If necessary, carefully peel the case away from any remaining clips holding it to the phone's frame.

Insert your finger into the notch above the battery.

• Pry the battery up out of its recess.

Disconnect and remove the battery.

• Push the SIM card slightly deeper with your fingernail until you hear a click.
• Release the card and it will pop out of its slot.
• For reassembly, push the SIM card into the slot until it clicks in place.

Slide the SIM card partially out using your thumb.

• Grasp the exposed part of the SIM card with your fingers.
• Remove the SIM card completely, taking it away from the phone.

Push the microSD card into its slot using your fingernail.

• Hear a click to confirm it's seated properly.
• Release the card and it will pop out of its slot.

Be gentle when handling microSD cards to avoid damage.

• For reassembly, push the microSD card into the slot until it clicks in place.

Slide the microSD card out of its slot using your thumb.

• Once exposed, carefully remove the microSD card from the phone.

Remove the 10 x 4.0 mm Phillips screws from the midframe.

Grasp the left side of the plastic midframe using your thumb and forefinger.

Lift it away from the phone.

Be gentle, as the midframe lightly snaps in place and can be removed with minimal force.

Careful not to damage the motherboard, as this will result in costly repairs.

• Use a plastic opening tool to gently pry the rear-facing camera connector away from its socket on the motherboard.
• Pry only the connector itself, not the surrounding socket, to avoid damaging the board.

Insert a plastic opening tool outboard of the speaker portion.

• Pry the headphone jack/speaker assembly gently upwards.

Lift the headphone jack/speaker assembly out of the Galaxy S III.

Avoid damaging the front-facing camera connector — risk of costly repairs.

• Use a plastic opening tool to carefully pry the front-facing camera connector from its socket on the motherboard.
• The front-facing camera can be removed later; for now, leave it connected and note that its cable remains under the motherboard assembly, headed toward the ambient light sensor.

Disconnect the digitizer cable by gently prying its connector up from its socket on the motherboard.

Disconnect display data cable from motherboard.

Remove the Wi-Fi antenna cable from the motherboard socket.

• Pry the cable's connector up from its socket.
• Gently move the cable to a secure location out of your working area.

Remove the 3.0 mm Phillips screw holding the motherboard to the front panel assembly.

• Lift the bottom of the motherboard assembly away carefully from the front panel assembly.
• Gently remove the motherboard assembly from the front panel assembly, taking care to avoid snagging cables.

Ensure the work surface is grounded to prevent static damage.

• Flip the motherboard over for access to the underside components.
• Place it on a grounded work surface, if not already set up.
• Use a plastic opening tool to pry the rear-facing camera connector loose from its socket.

Disconnect and carefully lift out the rear-facing camera module from its socket on the motherboard.

The motherboard is still in place.