Cracking Open the Samsung Galaxy Nexus

Samsung Galaxy Nexus Teardown

\n\tIn December 2011, Samsung launched its much-anticipated Galaxy Nexus smartphone. It’s the latest device to run on Verizon’s 4G LTE network, and the first to run the Ice Cream Sandwich version of Google’s Android OS.

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\n\tOur friends at iFixit got their hands on an unlocked, UK version of the Galaxy Nexus and cracked it open last month. But as my teardown shows, Verizon’s version may look the same on the outside, but much of the hardware inside is different. Follow along as I go inside the first US version of the Samsung Galaxy Nexus.
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\n\tPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
\n\tCaption by: Bill Detwiler

Cracking Open the Samsung Galaxy Nexus: In the box

\n\tAs of this writing, the Samsung Galaxy Nexus is available (in the US) from Verizon for $299.99 (US) with a two-year contract. I bought our Galaxy Nexus test device (sans contract) from a local Best Buy location for $799.99 (plus tax).
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\n\tPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
\n\tCaption by: Bill Detwiler

Cracking Open the Samsung Galaxy Nexus: Box contents

\n\tInside the Galaxy Nexus’ box, you’ll find the device itself (includes removable back panel and battery), USB cable, power adapter, headphones, and product documentation.
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\n\tPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
\n\tCaption by: Bill Detwiler

Cracking Open the Samsung Galaxy Nexus: 3.7V, 6.85Wh Li-ion battery with NFC antenna

\n\tThe Galaxy Nexus’ 3.7V, 6.85Wh Li-ion battery also contains an NFC antenna.

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\n\tPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
\n\tCaption by: Bill Detwiler

Cracking Open the Samsung Galaxy Nexus: Front

\n\tThe Galaxy Nexus has a 1.2GHz dual-core processor, 1GB RAM, 32GB of storage, 8MP rear-facing camera, 1.3MP front-facing camera, and 4.65″ Super AMOLED display (1280 x 720 pixels). It measures 5.33″ (H) x 2.67″ (W) x 0.37″ (D), and weighs 5.1 ounces.

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\n\tPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
\n\tCaption by: Bill Detwiler

Cracking Open the Samsung Galaxy Nexus: Back

Cracking Open the Samsung Galaxy Nexus: 3.5mm headphone jack and USB connector

Cracking Open the Samsung Galaxy Nexus: Volume button

Cracking Open the Samsung Galaxy Nexus: Power button and unknown contacts

Cracking Open the Samsung Galaxy Nexus: Motorola Droid Razr, Galaxy Nexus, and HTC Thunderbolt

Cracking Open the Samsung Galaxy Nexus: Droid Razr, Galaxy Nexus, and HTC Thunderbolt - Stack

Cracking Open the Samsung Galaxy Nexus: Removing the battery cover

Cracking Open the Samsung Galaxy Nexus: Battery compartment

Cracking Open the Samsung Galaxy Nexus: Removing the back cover's Phillips #00 screws

Cracking Open the Samsung Galaxy Nexus: Popping loose the back cover

Cracking Open the Samsung Galaxy Nexus: Removing the back cover

Cracking Open the Samsung Galaxy Nexus: Back cover

Cracking Open the Samsung Galaxy Nexus: Internal hardware

Cracking Open the Samsung Galaxy Nexus: Removing the headphone jack, vibration motor, and antenna assembly screw

Cracking Open the Samsung Galaxy Nexus: Removing the headphone jack, vibration motor, and antenna assembly

Cracking Open the Samsung Galaxy Nexus: Headphone jack, vibration motor, and antenna assembly

Cracking Open the Samsung Galaxy Nexus: Vibration motor

Cracking Open the Samsung Galaxy Nexus: Disconnecting all the motherboard connectors

Cracking Open the Samsung Galaxy Nexus: Removing the motherboard

Cracking Open the Samsung Galaxy Nexus: Internal frame and front panel assembly

Cracking Open the Samsung Galaxy Nexus: Melfas 8PK520 1135 touchscreen controller

Cracking Open the Samsung Galaxy Nexus: Mic, USB connector, and antenna contacts

Cracking Open the Samsung Galaxy Nexus: Volume button contacts

Cracking Open the Samsung Galaxy Nexus: Power/Lock button contact

Cracking Open the Samsung Galaxy Nexus: Motherboard and attached components

Cracking Open the Samsung Galaxy Nexus: Motherboard, cameras, and earpiece

Cracking Open the Samsung Galaxy Nexus: 5MP Rear-facing camera

Cracking Open the Samsung Galaxy Nexus: Winbond 25Q80BWIG 8Mb serial flash memory module

Cracking Open the Samsung Galaxy Nexus: 1.3MP Front-facing camera and sensors

Cracking Open the Samsung Galaxy Nexus: Ear piece

Cracking Open the Samsung Galaxy Nexus: Removing the SIM card and storage circuit board

Cracking Open the Samsung Galaxy Nexus: SIM card reader and SanDisk 32GB flash storage chip

Cracking Open the Samsung Galaxy Nexus: 32GB SanDisk SDIN5C2-32G NAND Flash memory module

Cracking Open the Samsung Galaxy Nexus: Motherboard - Back

Cracking Open the Samsung Galaxy Nexus: Motherboard - Front

Cracking Open the Samsung Galaxy Nexus: 1.2GHZ Samsung processor and LTE chip (CMC221 NAA969.00A-1 B1139 ARM)

\n\tUpdate 12/22/2011: When this gallery was first published, I indcated that the chip shown in this image contained the Galaxy Nexus’ 1.2GHz processor. And given the information I had at the time (the processor’s clock speed and chip markings), I idetified the processor as Samsung’s 1.2GHz Exynos 4210 processor. Since the gallery was published, Kevin Krause over at phandroid.com has suggested that the Galaxy Nexus does not use the Exynos 4210 but the Texas Instruments OMAP 4460 processor. This is possible, but given that I can’t find any chip on the Galaxy Nexus’ motherboard that indicates it contains a TI OMAP processor, I can’t know for sure. I’ve updated the image’s title to that it may not contain an Exynos processor, and I’ve put in a call to Samsung for confirmation. I’ll update this gallery when I get confirmation about the chip.

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\n\tUpdate 12/27/2011: Samsung responded with the following “The Galaxy Nexus processor is the dual core 1.2GHz Texas Instruments OMAP4460.” — Bill Detwiler

Cracking Open the Samsung Galaxy Nexus: VIA Telecom CBP7.1 EVDO Platform

Cracking Open the Samsung Galaxy Nexus: Samsung K3PE7E700M 512MB DDR2 SDRAM

Cracking Open the Samsung Galaxy Nexus: Samsung K4X51323PK 512Mb mobile DRAM

Cracking Open the Samsung Galaxy Nexus: Samsung K5L2866ATE NOR based MCP

Cracking Open the Samsung Galaxy Nexus: IDT 70P255 8K x 16 1.8V Asychronous Dual-Port RAM

Cracking Open the Samsung Galaxy Nexus: Silicon Motion FCI FC7851

Cracking Open the Samsung Galaxy Nexus: A5013 K1121 DK022

Cracking Open the Samsung Galaxy Nexus: Texas Instruments TPA8903CE Power Managment

Cracking Open the Samsung Galaxy Nexus: Fairchild Semiconductor FDMC 510P -20V P-Channel PowerTrench MOSFET

Cracking Open the Samsung Galaxy Nexus: Broadco BCM4330 - 802.11a/b/g/n MAC/Baseband/Radio with Integrated Bluetooth 4.0+HS and FM Transceiver

Cracking Open the Samsung Galaxy Nexus: Texas Instruments TWL6030 power management IC

Cracking Open the Samsung Galaxy Nexus: Texas Instruments TWL6040A2 audio codec

Cracking Open the Samsung Galaxy Nexus: Silicon Image 9244 MHL transmitter for HD video and audio

Cracking Open the Samsung Galaxy Nexus: 16AJ 3923

Cracking Open the Samsung Galaxy Nexus: NXP 65N00 smartcard IC

Cracking Open the Samsung Galaxy Nexus: Maxim MAX8996 Dual PWM Step-Down Converter

Cracking Open the Samsung Galaxy Nexus: Avago ACFM-7109 PCS/Cellular Band FBAR Quadplexer

Cracking Open the Samsung Galaxy Nexus: 6323R 0333AE PH 1132

Cracking Open the Samsung Galaxy Nexus: Silicon Motion - FCI FC7780 Dual-band CDMA EVDO Transceiver

Cracking Open the Samsung Galaxy Nexus: Invensense MPU-3050M three-axis gyroscope

Cracking Open the Samsung Galaxy Nexus: Maxim 8893C power-management IC

Cracking Open the Samsung Galaxy Nexus: Manufacture date 10/11/2011

Cracking Open the Samsung Galaxy Nexus: Complete teardown