Mobility

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

By // September 28, 2011, 12:35 AM PST // billdetwiler

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

    In September 2011, Samsung launched the followup to its popular Galaxy S smartphone.

    Last year, I cracked open AT&T's version of the Galaxy S (the Captivate), and was excited to get my hands on the second-generation Galaxy phone. Follow along as I go inside the Sprint version of the Samsung Galaxy S II.

    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."

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

  • 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."

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

Related Topics:

Mobility Security Hardware Software Apple Android Google

By Bill Detwiler

Bill Detwiler is Editor in Chief of TechRepublic and Tech Pro Research and the host of Cracking Open, CNET and TechRepublic's popular online show. Prior to joining TechRepublic in 2000, Bill was an IT manager, database administrator, and desktop supp...