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Mobility

Cracking Open the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1

By Bill Detwiler July 12, 2011, 6:06 AM PDT Bill Detwiler on Twitter billdetwiler

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Cracking Open the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1

Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 Teardown

Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 Teardown

ntThe Galaxy Tab 10.1 is Samsung’s follow-up to the Galaxy Tab 7.0 (released in early 2011). We cracked open the earlier 7-inch Android tablet and couldn’t resist giving its bigger brother the same treatment. Follow along as we crack open the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 tablet.
nt
ntPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
ntCaption by: Bill Detwiler

Cracking Open the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1

Cracking Open the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1: Box

Cracking Open the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1: Box

ntAs of this writing, the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 is available for $499.99 (US). The current versions only support Wi-Fi connectivity, but a 3G version through AT&T (in the US) is rumored to be launching later this year.
nt
ntPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
ntCaption by: Bill Detwiler

Cracking Open the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1

Cracking Open the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1: Unboxing

Cracking Open the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1: Unboxing

ntPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
ntCaption by: Bill Detwiler

Cracking Open the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1

Cracking Open the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1: Accessories

Cracking Open the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1: Accessories

ntPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
ntCaption by: Bill Detwiler

Cracking Open the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1

Cracking Open the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1: Front

Cracking Open the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1: Front

ntPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
ntCaption by: Bill Detwiler

Cracking Open the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1

Cracking Open the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1: Back

Cracking Open the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1: Back

ntPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
ntCaption by: Bill Detwiler

Cracking Open the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1

Cracking Open the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1: 30-pin connector port

Cracking Open the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1: 30-pin connector port

ntPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
ntCaption by: Bill Detwiler

Cracking Open the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1

Cracking Open the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1: Rear Camera, flash, and headset jack

Cracking Open the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1: Rear Camera, flash, and headset jack

ntPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
ntCaption by: Bill Detwiler

Cracking Open the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1

Cracking Open the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1: Speaker opening

Cracking Open the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1: Speaker opening

ntPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
ntCaption by: Bill Detwiler

Cracking Open the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1

Cracking Open the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1: External screw covers

Cracking Open the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1: External screw covers

ntPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
ntCaption by: Bill Detwiler

Cracking Open the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1

Cracking Open the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1: Tri-wing back cover screws

Cracking Open the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1: Tri-wing back cover screws

ntPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
ntCaption by: Bill Detwiler

Cracking Open the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1

Cracking Open the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1: Removing the back cover screws

Cracking Open the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1: Removing the back cover screws

ntPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
ntCaption by: Bill Detwiler

Cracking Open the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1

Cracking Open the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1: Popping loose the back cover from the display assembly

Cracking Open the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1: Popping loose the back cover from the display assembly

ntPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
ntCaption by: Bill Detwiler

Cracking Open the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1

Cracking Open the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1: Lifting the display assembly away from the back cover

Cracking Open the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1: Lifting the display assembly away from the back cover

ntThe Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1’s back cover is held to the front panel display assembly with two tri-wing screws and strong adhesive tape. You’ll need to gently pry the back cover away from the adhesive tape.

n

ntPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
ntCaption by: Bill Detwiler

Cracking Open the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1

Cracking Open the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1: Back cover removed

Cracking Open the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1: Back cover removed

ntPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
ntCaption by: Bill Detwiler

Cracking Open the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1

Cracking Open the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1: Back cover

Cracking Open the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1: Back cover

ntPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
ntCaption by: Bill Detwiler

Cracking Open the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1

Cracking Open the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1: Internal hardware

Cracking Open the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1: Internal hardware

ntPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
ntCaption by: Bill Detwiler

Cracking Open the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1

Cracking Open the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1: Disconnecting the display and touchscreen ribbon cables

Cracking Open the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1: Disconnecting the display and touchscreen ribbon cables

ntPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
ntCaption by: Bill Detwiler

Cracking Open the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1

Cracking Open the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1: Disconnecting the battery

Cracking Open the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1: Disconnecting the battery

ntPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
ntCaption by: Bill Detwiler

Cracking Open the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1

Cracking Open the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1: Removing the battery screws

Cracking Open the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1: Removing the battery screws

ntPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
ntCaption by: Bill Detwiler

Cracking Open the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1

Cracking Open the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1: Removing the battery

Cracking Open the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1: Removing the battery

ntPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
ntCaption by: Bill Detwiler

Cracking Open the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1

Cracking Open the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1: 6,860mAh Li-polymer battery

Cracking Open the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1: 6,860mAh Li-polymer battery

ntPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
ntCaption by: Bill Detwiler

Cracking Open the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1

Cracking Open the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1: Disconnecting the cameras and LED flash/ambient light sensor

Cracking Open the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1: Disconnecting the cameras and LED flash/ambient light sensor

ntPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
ntCaption by: Bill Detwiler

Cracking Open the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1

Cracking Open the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1: LED flash/ambient light sensor - Front

Cracking Open the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1: LED flash/ambient light sensor - Front

ntPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
ntCaption by: Bill Detwiler

Cracking Open the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1

Cracking Open the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1: LED flash/ambient light sensor - Back

Cracking Open the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1: LED flash/ambient light sensor - Back

ntPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
ntCaption by: Bill Detwiler

Cracking Open the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1

Cracking Open the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1: 3.0MP Rear camera

Cracking Open the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1: 3.0MP Rear camera

ntPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
ntCaption by: Bill Detwiler

Cracking Open the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1

Cracking Open the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1: 2.0MP Front camera

Cracking Open the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1: 2.0MP Front camera

ntPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
ntCaption by: Bill Detwiler

Cracking Open the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1

Cracking Open the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1: Removing the headset jack cover

Cracking Open the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1: Removing the headset jack cover

ntA metal shield covers the 3.5mm headset jack. Judgeing from the cover’s shape and the gap to the side of the headphone jack, I suspect this space will be used for the upcoming 3G version of the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1.

n

ntPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
ntCaption by: Bill Detwiler

Cracking Open the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1

Cracking Open the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1: Disconnecting the 3.5mm headset jack

Cracking Open the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1: Disconnecting the 3.5mm headset jack

ntPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
ntCaption by: Bill Detwiler

Cracking Open the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1

Cracking Open the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1: 3.5mm headset jack

Cracking Open the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1: 3.5mm headset jack

ntPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
ntCaption by: Bill Detwiler

Cracking Open the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1

Cracking Open the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1: Disconnecting the right speaker cable

Cracking Open the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1: Disconnecting the right speaker cable

ntPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
ntCaption by: Bill Detwiler

Cracking Open the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1

Cracking Open the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1: Disconnecting the left speaker cable

Cracking Open the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1: Disconnecting the left speaker cable

ntPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
ntCaption by: Bill Detwiler

Cracking Open the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1

Cracking Open the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1: Disconnecting the Wi-Fi antenna wire

Cracking Open the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1: Disconnecting the Wi-Fi antenna wire

ntPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
ntCaption by: Bill Detwiler

Cracking Open the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1

Cracking Open the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1: Removing the main PCB

Cracking Open the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1: Removing the main PCB

ntThere are no screws holding the main PCB to the front panel/display assembly. Once all the cables are disconnected, you can lift the main PCB away from the Galaxy Tab 10.1.

n

ntPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
ntCaption by: Bill Detwiler

Cracking Open the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1

Cracking Open the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1:

Cracking Open the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1:

Cracking Open the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1

Cracking Open the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1: Main PCB - Top

Cracking Open the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1: Main PCB - Top

ntPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
ntCaption by: Bill Detwiler

Cracking Open the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1

Cracking Open the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1: Main PCB - Bottom

Cracking Open the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1: Main PCB - Bottom

ntPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
ntCaption by: Bill Detwiler

Cracking Open the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1

Cracking Open the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1: Removing the EMI shield screws from the main PCB

Cracking Open the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1: Removing the EMI shield screws from the main PCB

ntPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
ntCaption by: Bill Detwiler

Cracking Open the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1

Cracking Open the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1: Main PCB and chips

Cracking Open the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1: Main PCB and chips

Cracking Open the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1

Cracking Open the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1: 1.0 GHz dual-core NVidia Tegra 2 application processor (12B3B452 1113A3)

Cracking Open the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1: 1.0 GHz dual-core NVidia Tegra 2 application processor (12B3B452 1113A3)

Cracking Open the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1

Cracking Open the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1: 1GB Samsung K4P8G304EC-FGC1 LPDDR2

Cracking Open the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1: 1GB Samsung K4P8G304EC-FGC1 LPDDR2

Cracking Open the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1

Cracking Open the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1: 16GB SanDisk SDIN4C2-160 MLC NAND flash chip

Cracking Open the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1: 16GB SanDisk SDIN4C2-160 MLC NAND flash chip

Cracking Open the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1

Cracking Open the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1: Atmel mXT1386 touchscreen controller (MXT1386-U EEI QS524)

Cracking Open the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1: Atmel mXT1386 touchscreen controller (MXT1386-U EEI QS524)

Cracking Open the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1

Cracking Open the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1: Invensense MPU-3050 three-axis gyroscope

Cracking Open the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1: Invensense MPU-3050 three-axis gyroscope

Cracking Open the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1

Cracking Open the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1: Wolfson WM8994E CODEC

Cracking Open the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1: Wolfson WM8994E CODEC

Cracking Open the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1

Cracking Open the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1: Atmel mXT154 touch controllers x3 (MXT154 CU-520)

Cracking Open the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1: Atmel mXT154 touch controllers x3 (MXT154 CU-520)

Cracking Open the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1

Cracking Open the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1:

Cracking Open the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1:

Cracking Open the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1

Cracking Open the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1: Silicone Image Sil9234BT HDMI interface

Cracking Open the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1: Silicone Image Sil9234BT HDMI interface

Cracking Open the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1

Cracking Open the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1: Samsung CMC6230R LCD driver

Cracking Open the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1: Samsung CMC6230R LCD driver

Cracking Open the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1

Cracking Open the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1: Texas Instruments LVDS83B power controller

Cracking Open the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1: Texas Instruments LVDS83B power controller

Cracking Open the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1

Cracking Open the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1: Broadcom BCM4330 802.11a/b/g/n MAC/Baseband/Radio with Integrated Bluetooth 4.0+HS and FM Transceiver (BCM4330XKFFBG)

Cracking Open the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1: Broadcom BCM4330 802.11a/b/g/n MAC/Baseband/Radio with Integrated Bluetooth 4.0+HS and FM Transceiver (BCM4330XKFFBG)

Cracking Open the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1

Cracking Open the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1: Completely disassembled

Cracking Open the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1: Completely disassembled

ntSamsung made the most of the limited space inside the Galaxy Tab 10.1’s 0.34-inch-thick case. The internal components are packed together and there’s only one large PCB.

n

ntLooking at the chips on the main PCB, Samsung used many components found in other tablets, such as the Motorola XOOM, BlackBerry PlayBook, and HP TouchPad.

n

ntMy only complaints about the tablet’s construction are the use of tri-wing external screws, the adhesive tape used on the back cover, and the flimsy feel of the back cover itself.

n

ntI appriciate Samsung’s efforts to reduce the Galaxy Tab 10.1’s weight, but I would have preferred an aluminum cover or one made from a thicker plastic.

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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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