Samsung Galaxy S III Rear-Facing Camera Replacement

Using a plastic opening tool or your fingernail insert into the notch between the rear case and the rest of the phone, located at the top.

• Gently twist the opening tool to disconnect the clips securing the top of the rear case.
• Be careful not to break any clips along the perimeter of the rear case.

Insert the plastic opening tool into the top edge of the rear case.

• Twist the tool gently while sliding it leftwards to widen the gap.

Move the plastic opening tool around the top left corner, prying up the rear case with gentle force.

Use a pry tool to pry along the top right side, then continue prying down the right side of the rear case.

• Pry along the top right side.
• Continue prying down the right side of the rear case.

Remove the rear case by lifting it upwards.

• Pry the case off using a firm grip.
• Peel up any clips attached to the phone's bottom, if present.

Use your finger or a plastic opening tool to pry the battery out.

• Insert a plastic opening tool into the small notch above the battery.
• Pry the battery up out of its recess.

Remove battery.

Push the SIM card slightly deeper with your fingernail until hearing a click.

• Release the card and it will pops out of its slot.
• For reassembly, repeat this process until the SIM card clicks into place.

Slide the SIM card partially out of its slot using your thumb.

• Grab hold of the exposed part of the SIM card.
• Remove the SIM card away from the phone.

Push the deeper into its slot with your fingernail until you hear a click.

Be careful not to force the card too far and damage the slot.

• Release the card and it will pop out of its slot.
• For reassembly, push the microSD card into the slot until it clicks in place.

Slide the microSD card out using your thumb.

• Remove the microSD card from the phone.

• Remove the tent (10) Phillips screws, each with a diameter of 4.0mm.

Grasp the plastic midframe's left side with your thumb and forefinger.

• Lift the midframe away from the phone using a gentle lifting motion.
• The midframe should lightly snap out of place, requiring minimal force to remove.

Do not attempt to detach the front-facing camera at this time.

• Use a plastic opening tool to carefully pry the front-facing camera connector from its socket on the motherboard.
• The cable for the front-facing camera is still routed beneath the motherboard assembly and connected to the ambient light sensor.

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

Locate the display data cable connected to the motherboard and gently pull it away.

• Take note of its position for easy reassembly
• Once disconnected, set the cable aside carefully

Locate and carefully pry the Wi-Fi antenna cable connector away from the motherboard socket.

• Pull the cable gently to a safe distance, ensuring it's clear of any components on the motherboard.

Use a 3.0 mm Phillips screwdriver to remove the single screw.

• Located at the top or bottom edge of the machine, near where the motherboard meets the front panel.
• The screw holds the motherboard in place.

• Lift the motherboard away from the front panel using care.
• Disconnect the motherboard from the front panel, avoiding cable snags.

Flip the motherboard over and set it on a grounded work surface.

• Use a plastic opening tool to gently pry the rear-facing camera connector from its socket.

Locate and carefully remove the rear-facing camera module from the motherboard.