Cracking Open the Samsung Galaxy S II (Sprint Epic 4G Touch)

Samsung Galaxy S II (Sprint Epic 4G Touch): Box

As of this writing, the Samsung Galaxy S II is available (in the US) from Sprint (as the Epic 4G Touch) for $199.99 (US) with a two-year contract. I bought our Galaxy S II test device (sans contract) from a local Best Buy location for $699.99 (plus tax). The Galaxy S II will makes its way to AT&T on October 2 and T-Mobile on October 12.

Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
Caption by: Bill Detwiler

Samsung Galaxy S II (Sprint Epic 4G Touch): Hardware specs

Our the Galaxy S II has a 1.2GHz dual-core processor, 1GB RAM, 16GB of storage, 8MP rear-facing camera, 2MP front-facing camera, and 4.52" Super AMOLED Plus display (800x480 pixels).

Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic

Caption by: Bill Detwiler

Samsung Galaxy S II (Sprint Epic 4G Touch): Box contents

Inside the Galaxy S II's box, you'll find the device itself (includes removable back panel and battery), USB cable, power adapter, and product documentation. There also prepaid plastic envelope that you can use to recycle your old phone.

Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
Caption by: Bill Detwiler

Samsung Galaxy S II (Sprint Epic 4G Touch): 3.7V, 1,800 mAh battery

Samsung Galaxy S II (Sprint Epic 4G Touch): Front

The Galaxy S II measures 5.1" (H) x 2.7" (W) x 0.38" (D). It weighs 4.6 ounces.

Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
Caption by: Bill Detwiler

Samsung Galaxy S II (Sprint Epic 4G Touch): Back

Samsung Galaxy S II (Sprint Epic 4G Touch): Left and bottom edges

Samsung Galaxy S II (Sprint Epic 4G Touch): Top and right edges

Samsung Galaxy S II (Sprint Epic 4G Touch): Removing the battery compartment cover

Samsung Galaxy S II (Sprint Epic 4G Touch): Battery compartment cover removed

Samsung Galaxy S II (Sprint Epic 4G Touch): Removing the back cover screws

Samsung Galaxy S II (Sprint Epic 4G Touch): Separating the front panel assembly from the case

Samsung Galaxy S II (Sprint Epic 4G Touch): Removing the back cover

Samsung Galaxy S II (Sprint Epic 4G Touch): Back cover

Samsung Galaxy S II (Sprint Epic 4G Touch): Internal hardware

Samsung Galaxy S II (Sprint Epic 4G Touch): Detaching the motherboard connectors

Samsung Galaxy S II (Sprint Epic 4G Touch): Remvoing the motherboard screws

Samsung Galaxy S II (Sprint Epic 4G Touch): Removing the motherboad

Samsung Galaxy S II (Sprint Epic 4G Touch): Motherboard and front panel assembly

Samsung Galaxy S II (Sprint Epic 4G Touch): Front panel assembly

Samsung Galaxy S II (Sprint Epic 4G Touch): Remvoing the front camera bracket

Samsung Galaxy S II (Sprint Epic 4G Touch): Removing the front camera, ambient light sensor, and proximity sensor assembly

Samsung Galaxy S II (Sprint Epic 4G Touch): Front camera, ambient light sensor, and proximity sensor assembly

Samsung Galaxy S II (Sprint Epic 4G Touch): Removing the 3.5mm headphone jack and vibration motor

Samsung Galaxy S II (Sprint Epic 4G Touch): 3.5mm headphone jack and vibration motor

Samsung Galaxy S II (Sprint Epic 4G Touch): Atmel maXTouch mXT224E mutual capacitance touchscreen controller

Samsung Galaxy S II (Sprint Epic 4G Touch): 236A 1125 5130

Samsung Galaxy S II (Sprint Epic 4G Touch): Disconnecting the microSD card slot from the motherboard

Samsung Galaxy S II (Sprint Epic 4G Touch): Removing the EMI shield and miroSD card slot

Samsung Galaxy S II (Sprint Epic 4G Touch): EMI shield and microSD card slot

Samsung Galaxy S II (Sprint Epic 4G Touch): Motherboard - Bottom

Samsung Galaxy S II (Sprint Epic 4G Touch): Motherboard - Top

Samsung Galaxy S II (Sprint Epic 4G Touch): Toshiba TC31501AAMBG WiMax chip

Samsung Galaxy S II (Sprint Epic 4G Touch): Maxim MAX8997 power-management IC for Samsung's Exynos 4210

Samsung Galaxy S II (Sprint Epic 4G Touch): 2128 C3H H6AAF

Samsung Galaxy S II (Sprint Epic 4G Touch): Y126 D13A S

Samsung Galaxy S II (Sprint Epic 4G Touch): AA 2230 119Y

Samsung Galaxy S II (Sprint Epic 4G Touch): 0346 240A

Samsung Galaxy S II (Sprint Epic 4G Touch): WIP4255H 026-00 1115

Samsung Galaxy S II (Sprint Epic 4G Touch): Avago CFI115 160371

Samsung Galaxy S II (Sprint Epic 4G Touch): Broadcom BCM4330 802.11a/b/g/n MAC/Baseband/Radio with Integrated Bluetooth 4.0+HS and FM Transceiver

Samsung Galaxy S II (Sprint Epic 4G Touch): Maxim 8893C power-management IC

Samsung Galaxy S II (Sprint Epic 4G Touch): 8MP rear-facing camera

Samsung Galaxy S II (Sprint Epic 4G Touch): Front speaker

Samsung Galaxy S II (Sprint Epic 4G Touch): KOREA MBG043 1128 SNA E1 (8MP camera chip)

Samsung Galaxy S II (Sprint Epic 4G Touch): Samsung K3PE7E700B-XXC1 DRAM module mounted on top of the 1.2 GHz dual-core processor

Samsung Galaxy S II (Sprint Epic 4G Touch): Samsung KLMAG4FEJA-A003 16GB flash storage chip

Samsung Galaxy S II (Sprint Epic 4G Touch): Samsung K521H12ACE

Samsung Galaxy S II (Sprint Epic 4G Touch): Qualcomm QSC8085 CDMA processor

Samsung Galaxy S II (Sprint Epic 4G Touch): Avago ACFM-7325 Band Class 14 PCS / Band Class 10 Cellular Band Quadplexer

Samsung Galaxy S II (Sprint Epic 4G Touch): 6323R 9698AD 1124

Samsung Galaxy S II (Sprint Epic 4G Touch): Yamaha YMU823-P 1128NBJB audio codec

Samsung Galaxy S II (Sprint Epic 4G Touch): Silicon Image 9244 MHL transmitter for HD video and audio

Samsung Galaxy S II (Sprint Epic 4G Touch): CYWB 0320AB 1125 6 6609

Samsung Galaxy S II (Sprint Epic 4G Touch): microUSB port

Samsung Galaxy S II (Sprint Epic 4G Touch): Complete teardown

The Samsung Galaxy S II (Sprint Epic 4G Touch) was relatively easy to disassemble. It uses standard Phillips screws and the internal components are easily accessible. Unfortunately, the display and front panel (digitizer) are fused together, making replacing one or the other difficult.

For a more in-depth review of the Galaxy S II's internal hardware, check out my article, "Samsung Galaxy S II (Sprint Epic 4G Touch) Teardown: Samsung Exynos processor and no NFC."