Samsung Stratosphere Front Camera Replacement

Locate the groove at the top of the phone and use your fingers to gently pry along its length.

• Pull the rear casing back until it separates completely from the device.
• The casing may make a cracking sound as it is removed; this is normal.

Use your fingers to pry the battery loose from the bottom.

• Lift the battery away from the phone.

• Identify the red and white SIM card situated above the battery housing.

• Careful not to touch any electrical components.

  Gently slide the SIM card downwards from its slot with your fingers.

Remove the seven silver 3mm screws from the rear panel with a Phillips #000 screwdriver.

Some screws may get stuck; use tweezers to remove them.

Prying too deeply may damage internal components.

• Pry around the rear panel with a plastic opening tool.
• Remove the rear panel by lifting it off with your fingers.

Use a Phillips #000 screwdriver to remove the four black 3mm screws holding the motherboard in place.

Locate the flex cable attachment at the tab marked with a green arrow.

• Pry from the side indicated by the arrow using your fingers.
• The cable will audibly snap when removed, allowing it to hang loosely to one side of the phone.

Locate the side of the motherboard opposite the loose flex cable.

• Lift the motherboard up from this location.
• If the motherboard is stuck, use a plastic opening tool to gently pry it away from the key pad underneath.
• Continue lifting until the motherboard is removed from the device.

Insert a plastic opening tool into any side of the phone case.

• Pry the keyboard away from the casing using the plastic opening tool.
• The keyboard should come off with minimal force.

Use a Phillips #000 Screwdriver to remove the seven silver 2mm screws.

• The screws hold the silver metal plate to the rear panel.

Careful: The golden metal plate is stuck with strong adhesive.

• Use the plastic opening tool to loosen the golden metal plate.
• A moderate amount of force may be required due to the adhesive bond.

Slide the gold plate through the keyboard casing's wide slot.

• Lift the gold plate and slide it underneath the keyboard casing.
• Once clear, gently remove the keyboard casing from the laptop.

Release the silver metal plate by sliding it downwards and away from the flex cable and gold metal plate.

Be aware that the metal plate is spring-loaded, which may cause it to snap back into position.

• Remove the 4 black 3mm screws using a Phillips #000 Screwdriver.

Insert plastic opening tool into groove at top of rear panel.

• Firmly slide plastic opening tool around entire rear panel.
• The panel will audibly snap as it separates.

A significant amount of force may be required to fully separate the pieces due to strong attachment.

Remove any obstructions near the flex cable.

• Lift the flex cable and position it for clearance.
• Pull the part containing the metal plate away from the rest of the rear panel.

Use tweezers to loosen the front-facing camera from the plastic casing.

• Pull the black rectangular piece, attached to the front-facing camera, away from the rear panel.