Smartphones investigate

Cracking Open the Samsung Galaxy Mega

By , September 6, 2013, 3:30 PM

  • Cracking Open Samsung Galaxy Mega:

    The Samsung Galaxy Mega shares the same overall external design and internal hardware layout as the Galaxy S4, but the monster Mega isn't just an oversized S4. In fact, the Mega's hardware is actually a step behind the company's flagship S4. But then again, so is it's price.


    In this Cracking Open gallery, I walk you through the process of disassembling the Galaxy Mega. For a detailed analysis of the teardown, check out my article and video, Samsung Galaxy Mega teardown: Oversized phone with average hardware.

  • Cracking Open Samsung Galaxy Mega: Pricing and hardware specs

    At time of publication, AT&T was selling the Mega for $149 (with a 2-year contract). It has a 1.7 GHz dual-core processor, 1.5GB of RAM, 16GB of storage, an 8-megapixel rear camera, 1.9-megapixel front camera, and 6.3-inch display with 1280 x 720 resolution.

  • Cracking Open Samsung Galaxy Mega: Box contents


  • Cracking Open Samsung Galaxy Mega: Dimensions and weight

    At 3.46 inches wide, 6.59 inches tall, and weighing just over 7 ounces, the Galaxy Mega is a monster phone.

  • Cracking Open Samsung Galaxy Mega: Back


  • Cracking Open Samsung Galaxy Mega: microUSB port and volume buttons


  • Cracking Open Samsung Galaxy Mega: Headphone jack and power button


  • Cracking Open Samsung Galaxy Mega: 6.3-inch HD TFT display (1280 x 720)

  • Cracking Open Samsung Galaxy Mega: Removing the battery cover


  • Cracking Open Samsung Galaxy Mega: Removing the battery


  • Cracking Open Samsung Galaxy Mega: 3.8V, 3,200 mAh Li-ion battery


  • Cracking Open Samsung Galaxy Mega: Battery and battery cover removed


  • Cracking Open Samsung Galaxy Mega: Removing the circuit board cover screws


  • Cracking Open Samsung Galaxy Mega: Popping loose the external speaker assembly


  • Cracking Open Samsung Galaxy Mega: Removing the external speaker assembly

  • Cracking Open Samsung Galaxy Mega: External speaker assembly - Front


  • Cracking Open Samsung Galaxy Mega: External speaker assembly - Back


  • Cracking Open Samsung Galaxy Mega: Bottom circuit boad


  • Cracking Open Samsung Galaxy Mega: Popping loose the circuit board cover

  • Cracking Open Samsung Galaxy Mega: Removing the circuit board cover

  • Cracking Open Samsung Galaxy Mega: Circuit board cover removed

  • Cracking Open Samsung Galaxy Mega: Circuit board cover - Back

  • Cracking Open Samsung Galaxy Mega: Circuit board cover - Front

  • Cracking Open Samsung Galaxy Mega: Internal hardware

  • Cracking Open Samsung Galaxy Mega: Detaching the lower circuit board connectors

  • Cracking Open Samsung Galaxy Mega: Removing the lower circuit board

  • Cracking Open Samsung Galaxy Mega: Lower circuit board - Back

  • Cracking Open Samsung Galaxy Mega: Lower circuit board - Front

  • Cracking Open Samsung Galaxy Mega: Detaching the motherboard connectors

  • Cracking Open Samsung Galaxy Mega: Detaching the front facing camera and sensor array connectors

  • Cracking Open Samsung Galaxy Mega: Removing the motherboard screw

  • Cracking Open Samsung Galaxy Mega: Removing the motherboard

  • Cracking Open Samsung Galaxy Mega: Motherboard removed

  • Cracking Open Samsung Galaxy Mega: Removing one of the circuit board connector wires

  • Cracking Open Samsung Galaxy Mega: Vibration motor, front-facing camera, sensors, and headphone jack

  • Cracking Open Samsung Galaxy Mega: Removing the headphone jack

  • Cracking Open Samsung Galaxy Mega: Removing the front-facing camera and sensor array bracket

  • Cracking Open Samsung Galaxy Mega: Front-facing camera and sensor array removed

  • Cracking Open Samsung Galaxy Mega: 3.5mm headphone jack

  • Cracking Open Samsung Galaxy Mega: 1.9-megapixel front-facing camera

  • Cracking Open Samsung Galaxy Mega: Earpiece speaker and sensor array - Front

  • Cracking Open Samsung Galaxy Mega: Earpiece speaker and sensor array - Back

  • Cracking Open Samsung Galaxy Mega: Vibration motor and button contacts

  • Cracking Open Samsung Galaxy Mega: Front panel, display, and internal frame assembly

  • Cracking Open Samsung Galaxy Mega: Motherboard with metal sheilds

  • Cracking Open Samsung Galaxy Mega: Detaching the rear-facing camera

  • Cracking Open Samsung Galaxy Mega: 8.0-megapixel rear-facing camera

  • Cracking Open Samsung Galaxy Mega: Removing the metal shields

  • Cracking Open Samsung Galaxy Mega: Motherboard - Front

  • Cracking Open Samsung Galaxy Mega: Motherboard - Back

  • Cracking Open Samsung Galaxy Mega: 16GB Toshiba THGBM5G7A23BAIR e-MMC module

  • Cracking Open Samsung Galaxy Mega: 1.5GB Samsung K4P2E304EB-PCC2 LPDDR2 mobile DRAM and 1.7GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 400 MSM8930

  • Cracking Open Samsung Galaxy Mega: Qualcomm PM8917 power management IC

  • Cracking Open Samsung Galaxy Mega: Maxim Integrated MAX77803

  • Cracking Open Samsung Galaxy Mega: Silicon Image Sil9244 MHL Transmitter with HDMI Input

  • Cracking Open Samsung Galaxy Mega: Qualcomm WCD9304 audio codec

  • Cracking Open Samsung Galaxy Mega: MEMS microphone

  • Cracking Open Samsung Galaxy Mega: Lattice Semiconductor LP1K36

  • Cracking Open Samsung Galaxy Mega: 607A Y3JB

  • Cracking Open Samsung Galaxy Mega: InvenSense MPU-6051M six-axis gyroscope and accelerometer

  • Cracking Open Samsung Galaxy Mega: Skyworks SKY85707-21 5GHz, 802.11n/ac front-end module

  • Cracking Open Samsung Galaxy Mega: Samsung CMC6240M

  • Cracking Open Samsung Galaxy Mega: Broadcom BCM20793 NFC IC

  • Cracking Open Samsung Galaxy Mega: Skyworks SKY77619 multiband power amplifier module for quad-band GSM/EDGE and Penta-Bands and SKY77737 power amplifier module for LTE bands 12/17

  • Cracking Open Samsung Galaxy Mega: Qualcomm WTR1605L LTE transceiver

  • Cracking Open Samsung Galaxy Mega: SWE GNF09

  • Cracking Open Samsung Galaxy Mega: RF Micro Devices RF7307 single-band 4G LTE power amplifiers

  • Cracking Open Samsung Galaxy Mega: Audience eS305 earSmart voice processor (AUD 305B)

  • Cracking Open Samsung Galaxy Mega: Motherboard markings

  • Cracking Open Samsung Galaxy Mega: Completely disassembled

Prev Next

Cracking Open Samsung Galaxy Mega:

The Samsung Galaxy Mega shares the same overall external design and internal hardware layout as the Galaxy S4, but the monster Mega isn't just an oversized S4. In fact, the Mega's hardware is actually a step behind the company's flagship S4. But then again, so is it's price.


In this Cracking Open gallery, I walk you through the process of disassembling the Galaxy Mega. For a detailed analysis of the teardown, check out my article and video, Samsung Galaxy Mega teardown: Oversized phone with average hardware.

About Bill Detwiler

Bill Detwiler is Managing Editor Tech Pro Research and the host of Cracking Open, CNET and TechRepublic's popular online show. He was most recently Managing Editor for TechRepublic Pro. Prior to joining TechRepublic in 2000, Bill was an IT manager, d...

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