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Hardware

Cracking Open the Samsung Galaxy S5

By Bill Detwiler April 25, 2014, 6:35 AM PDT on Twitter billdetwiler

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Cracking Open the Samsung Galaxy S5

Samsung Galaxy S5 teardown

Samsung Galaxy S5 teardown

Samsung’s Galaxy S5 may not look all that different from the Galaxy S4 on the outside, but on the side it’s a completely different animal. There’s lots of hardware upgrades, a redesigned interior, and a whole new way to open the case and replace a broken screen.

In this Cracking Open gallery, I walk you through the process of disassembling the Galaxy S5 and give you a tour of the internal hardware. For a detailed analysis of the teardown, check out my article and video, Galaxy S5 teardown: New design makes repairing a cracked screen much easier.

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Cracking Open the Samsung Galaxy S5

Cracking Open Galaxy S5: Box contents

Bill Detwiler/TechRepublic

Cracking Open Galaxy S5: Box contents

Along with the handset, you’ll find a charging adapter, cable, battery, and product documentation in the Galaxy S5’s box.

Bill Detwiler/TechRepublic
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Cracking Open the Samsung Galaxy S5

Cracking Open Galaxy S5: Dimensions and specs

Bill Detwiler/TechRepublic

Cracking Open Galaxy S5: Dimensions and specs

Our AT&T model with LTE has a quad-core 2.5 GHz Snapdragon 801 SoC from Qualcomm. On models without LTE, Samsung uses its own Exynos 5422 SoC.

All versions have a 5.1-inch 1080p HD AMOLED display, 2GB of RAM, 16GB of built-in storage, a microSD card slot, a 16-megapixel rear-facing camera, 2-megapixel front-facing camera, NFC support, IR blaster, and a brand new fingerprint sensor.

Bill Detwiler/TechRepublic
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Cracking Open the Samsung Galaxy S5

Cracking Open Galaxy S5: Compared to the Galaxy S4

Galaxy S5 (left) vs. Galaxy S4 (right)

Cracking Open Galaxy S5: Compared to the Galaxy S4

The S5 is slightly larger and heavier than last year’s S4.

Galaxy S5 (left) vs. Galaxy S4 (right)
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Cracking Open the Samsung Galaxy S5

Cracking Open Galaxy S5: Removing the battery cover

Bill Detwiler/TechRepublic

Cracking Open Galaxy S5: Removing the battery cover

Bill Detwiler/TechRepublic
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Cracking Open the Samsung Galaxy S5

Cracking Open Galaxy S5: Battery cover

Bill Detwiler/TechRepublic

Cracking Open Galaxy S5: Battery cover

Bill Detwiler/TechRepublic
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Cracking Open the Samsung Galaxy S5

Cracking Open Galaxy S5: Removing the battery

Bill Detwiler/TechRepublic

Cracking Open Galaxy S5: Removing the battery

Bill Detwiler/TechRepublic
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Cracking Open the Samsung Galaxy S5

Cracking Open Galaxy S5: 2,800 mAh Li-ion battery

Bill Detwiler/TechRepublic

Cracking Open Galaxy S5: 2,800 mAh Li-ion battery

Bill Detwiler/TechRepublic
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Cracking Open the Samsung Galaxy S5

Cracking Open Galaxy S5: Removing the outer cover screws

Bill Detwiler/TechRepublic

Cracking Open Galaxy S5: Removing the outer cover screws

Bill Detwiler/TechRepublic
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Cracking Open the Samsung Galaxy S5

Cracking Open Galaxy S5: Removing the Home button connector cover

Bill Detwiler/TechRepublic

Cracking Open Galaxy S5: Removing the Home button connector cover

Bill Detwiler/TechRepublic
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Cracking Open the Samsung Galaxy S5

Cracking Open Galaxy S5: Detaching the Home button connector

Bill Detwiler/TechRepublic

Cracking Open Galaxy S5: Detaching the Home button connector

Bill Detwiler/TechRepublic
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Cracking Open the Samsung Galaxy S5

Cracking Open Galaxy S5: Heating the front panel and display assembly

Cracking Open Galaxy S5: Heating the front panel and display assembly

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Cracking Open the Samsung Galaxy S5

Cracking Open Galaxy S5: Separating the front panel from the frame

Bill Detwiler/TechRepublic

Cracking Open Galaxy S5: Separating the front panel from the frame

Bill Detwiler/TechRepublic
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Cracking Open the Samsung Galaxy S5

Cracking Open Galaxy S5: Removing the front panel and display assembly

Bill Detwiler/TechRepublic

Cracking Open Galaxy S5: Removing the front panel and display assembly

Bill Detwiler/TechRepublic
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Cracking Open the Samsung Galaxy S5

Cracking Open Galaxy S5: Front panel and display assembly

Bill Detwiler/TechRepublic

Cracking Open Galaxy S5: Front panel and display assembly

Bill Detwiler/TechRepublic
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Cracking Open the Samsung Galaxy S5

Cracking Open Galaxy S5: Home button and fingerprint sensor

Bill Detwiler/TechRepublic

Cracking Open Galaxy S5: Home button and fingerprint sensor

Bill Detwiler/TechRepublic
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Cracking Open the Samsung Galaxy S5

Cracking Open Galaxy S5: Front panel and display connector

Bill Detwiler/TechRepublic

Cracking Open Galaxy S5: Front panel and display connector

Bill Detwiler/TechRepublic
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Cracking Open the Samsung Galaxy S5

Cracking Open Galaxy S5: Synaptics S5100A touchscreen controller

Bill Detwiler/TechRepublic

Cracking Open Galaxy S5: Synaptics S5100A touchscreen controller

Bill Detwiler/TechRepublic
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Cracking Open the Samsung Galaxy S5

Cracking Open Galaxy S5: Removing the internal mounting plate screws

Bill Detwiler/TechRepublic

Cracking Open Galaxy S5: Removing the internal mounting plate screws

Bill Detwiler/TechRepublic
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Cracking Open the Samsung Galaxy S5

Cracking Open Galaxy S5: Removing the internal mounting plate

Bill Detwiler/TechRepublic

Cracking Open Galaxy S5: Removing the internal mounting plate

Bill Detwiler/TechRepublic
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Cracking Open the Samsung Galaxy S5

Cracking Open Galaxy S5: Outer cover

Bill Detwiler/TechRepublic

Cracking Open Galaxy S5: Outer cover

Bill Detwiler/TechRepublic
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Cracking Open the Samsung Galaxy S5

Cracking Open Galaxy S5: Headphone jack and ear speaker

Bill Detwiler/TechRepublic

Cracking Open Galaxy S5: Headphone jack and ear speaker

Bill Detwiler/TechRepublic
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Cracking Open the Samsung Galaxy S5

Cracking Open Galaxy S5: External speaker

Bill Detwiler/TechRepublic

Cracking Open Galaxy S5: External speaker

Bill Detwiler/TechRepublic
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Cracking Open the Samsung Galaxy S5

Cracking Open Galaxy S5: Power button contacts

Bill Detwiler/TechRepublic

Cracking Open Galaxy S5: Power button contacts

Bill Detwiler/TechRepublic
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Cracking Open the Samsung Galaxy S5

Cracking Open Galaxy S5: Volume button contacts

Bill Detwiler/TechRepublic

Cracking Open Galaxy S5: Volume button contacts

Bill Detwiler/TechRepublic
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Cracking Open the Samsung Galaxy S5

Cracking Open Galaxy S5: Vibration motor

Bill Detwiler/TechRepublic

Cracking Open Galaxy S5: Vibration motor

Bill Detwiler/TechRepublic
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Cracking Open the Samsung Galaxy S5

Cracking Open Galaxy S5: Removing the motherboard screws

Bill Detwiler/TechRepublic

Cracking Open Galaxy S5: Removing the motherboard screws

Bill Detwiler/TechRepublic
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Cracking Open the Samsung Galaxy S5

Cracking Open Galaxy S5: Detaching the motherboard connectors

Bill Detwiler/TechRepublic

Cracking Open Galaxy S5: Detaching the motherboard connectors

Bill Detwiler/TechRepublic
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Cracking Open the Samsung Galaxy S5

Cracking Open Galaxy S5: Removing the motherboard

Cracking Open Galaxy S5: Removing the motherboard

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Cracking Open the Samsung Galaxy S5

Cracking Open Galaxy S5: Internal mounting plate

Bill Detwiler/TechRepublic

Cracking Open Galaxy S5: Internal mounting plate

Bill Detwiler/TechRepublic
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Cracking Open the Samsung Galaxy S5

Cracking Open Galaxy S5: Lower I/O board

Bill Detwiler/TechRepublic

Cracking Open Galaxy S5: Lower I/O board

Bill Detwiler/TechRepublic
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Cracking Open the Samsung Galaxy S5

Cracking Open Galaxy S5: Removing the rear-facing camera

Bill Detwiler/TechRepublic

Cracking Open Galaxy S5: Removing the rear-facing camera

Bill Detwiler/TechRepublic
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Cracking Open the Samsung Galaxy S5

Cracking Open Galaxy S5: 16-megapixel rear-facing camera

Bill Detwiler/TechRepublic

Cracking Open Galaxy S5: 16-megapixel rear-facing camera

Bill Detwiler/TechRepublic
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Cracking Open the Samsung Galaxy S5

Cracking Open Galaxy S5: Removing the front-facing camera

Bill Detwiler/TechRepublic

Cracking Open Galaxy S5: Removing the front-facing camera

Bill Detwiler/TechRepublic
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Cracking Open the Samsung Galaxy S5

Cracking Open Galaxy S5: 2-megapixel front-facing camera

Bill Detwiler/TechRepublic

Cracking Open Galaxy S5: 2-megapixel front-facing camera

Bill Detwiler/TechRepublic
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Cracking Open the Samsung Galaxy S5

Cracking Open Galaxy S5: Removing the motherboard's metal shields

Bill Detwiler/TechRepublic

Cracking Open Galaxy S5: Removing the motherboard's metal shields

Bill Detwiler/TechRepublic
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Cracking Open the Samsung Galaxy S5

Cracking Open Galaxy S5: Motherboard - Front

Bill Detwiler/TechRepublic

Cracking Open Galaxy S5: Motherboard - Front

Bill Detwiler/TechRepublic
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Cracking Open the Samsung Galaxy S5

Cracking Open Galaxy S5: Motherboard - Back

Bill Detwiler/TechRepublic

Cracking Open Galaxy S5: Motherboard - Back

Bill Detwiler/TechRepublic
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Cracking Open the Samsung Galaxy S5

Cracking Open Galaxy S5: Elpida FA164A2PM 2GB RAM and 2.5 GHz Snapdragon 801 SoC (mounted under RAM package)

Bill Detwiler/TechRepublic

Cracking Open Galaxy S5: Elpida FA164A2PM 2GB RAM and 2.5 GHz Snapdragon 801 SoC (mounted under RAM package)

Bill Detwiler/TechRepublic
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Cracking Open the Samsung Galaxy S5

Cracking Open Galaxy S5: 16GB storage package (mounted under metal shield)

Bill Detwiler/TechRepublic

Cracking Open Galaxy S5: 16GB storage package (mounted under metal shield)

Bill Detwiler/TechRepublic
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Cracking Open the Samsung Galaxy S5

Cracking Open Galaxy S5: Avago ACPM-7617

Bill Detwiler/TechRepublic

Cracking Open Galaxy S5: Avago ACPM-7617

Bill Detwiler/TechRepublic
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Cracking Open the Samsung Galaxy S5

Cracking Open Galaxy S5: Maxim MAX77804K

Bill Detwiler/TechRepublic

Cracking Open Galaxy S5: Maxim MAX77804K

Bill Detwiler/TechRepublic
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Cracking Open the Samsung Galaxy S5

Cracking Open Galaxy S5: Maxim MAX77826

Bill Detwiler/TechRepublic

Cracking Open Galaxy S5: Maxim MAX77826

Bill Detwiler/TechRepublic
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Cracking Open the Samsung Galaxy S5

Cracking Open Galaxy S5: Avago A7007

Bill Detwiler/TechRepublic

Cracking Open Galaxy S5: Avago A7007

Bill Detwiler/TechRepublic
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Cracking Open the Samsung Galaxy S5

Cracking Open Galaxy S5: C1N75B 8Q5

Bill Detwiler/TechRepublic

Cracking Open Galaxy S5: C1N75B 8Q5

Bill Detwiler/TechRepublic
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Cracking Open the Samsung Galaxy S5

Cracking Open Galaxy S5: Murata KM4228023

Bill Detwiler/TechRepublic

Cracking Open Galaxy S5: Murata KM4228023

Bill Detwiler/TechRepublic
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Cracking Open the Samsung Galaxy S5

Cracking Open Galaxy S5: Qualcomm WCD9320 audio codec

Bill Detwiler/TechRepublic

Cracking Open Galaxy S5: Qualcomm WCD9320 audio codec

Bill Detwiler/TechRepublic
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Cracking Open the Samsung Galaxy S5

Cracking Open Galaxy S5: NXP 47803

Bill Detwiler/TechRepublic

Cracking Open Galaxy S5: NXP 47803

Bill Detwiler/TechRepublic
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Cracking Open the Samsung Galaxy S5

Cracking Open Galaxy S5: Silicon Image SIMG 8240B0

Bill Detwiler/TechRepublic

Cracking Open Galaxy S5: Silicon Image SIMG 8240B0

Bill Detwiler/TechRepublic
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Cracking Open the Samsung Galaxy S5

Cracking Open Galaxy S5: Qualcomm WTR1625L

Bill Detwiler/TechRepublic

Cracking Open Galaxy S5: Qualcomm WTR1625L

Bill Detwiler/TechRepublic
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Cracking Open the Samsung Galaxy S5

Cracking Open Galaxy S5: Qualcomm WFR1620

Bill Detwiler/TechRepublic

Cracking Open Galaxy S5: Qualcomm WFR1620

Bill Detwiler/TechRepublic
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Cracking Open the Samsung Galaxy S5

Cracking Open Galaxy S5: SWDP GRG28

Bill Detwiler/TechRepublic

Cracking Open Galaxy S5: SWDP GRG28

Bill Detwiler/TechRepublic
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Cracking Open the Samsung Galaxy S5

Cracking Open Galaxy S5: Completed teardown

Bill Detwiler/TechRepublic

Cracking Open Galaxy S5: Completed teardown

Bill Detwiler/TechRepublic
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By Bill Detwiler
Bill Detwiler is the Editor for Technical Content and Ecosystem at Celonis. He is the former Editor in Chief of TechRepublic and previous host of TechRepublic's Dynamic Developer podcast and Cracking Open, CNET and TechRepublic's popular online show.
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