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Microsoft

Samsung Focus (Windows Phone 7) Teardown

By Bill Detwiler December 19, 2010, 9:49 AM PST on Twitter billdetwiler

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Samsung Focus (Windows Phone 7) Teardown

Cracking Open the Samsung Focus

Cracking Open the Samsung Focus

TechRepublic’s Jason Hiner called the Samsung Focus the “first great Windows Phone 7 device.” Luckily, after Jason was finished reviewing the Focus, I got a chance to crack it open. Follow along as we see what hardware is hidden inside the Samsung Focus.

Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic

Caption by: Bill Detwiler

Samsung Focus (Windows Phone 7) Teardown

Samsung Focus

Samsung Focus

The Samsung Focus runs Windows Phone 7 and is available from AT&T Wireless for $199 US (with a 2-year contract).

Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic

Caption by: Bill Detwiler

Samsung Focus (Windows Phone 7) Teardown

Technical Specifications

Technical Specifications

The Samsung Focus has a 1.0GHz Snapdragon QSD8250 processor, 512MB RAM, 8GB of on-board storage, a microSD slot, and a 4-inch touch-sensitive display.

Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic

Caption by: Bill Detwiler

Samsung Focus (Windows Phone 7) Teardown

Removing the back cover

Removing the back cover

The first step in disassembling the Samsung Focus is removing the battery cover from the back of the phone. The Samsung focus has a 1500mAh Lithium-ion battery.

Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic

Caption by: Bill Detwiler

Samsung Focus (Windows Phone 7) Teardown

Back cover

Back cover

Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic

Caption by: Bill Detwiler

Samsung Focus (Windows Phone 7) Teardown

Removing the external case screws

Removing the external case screws

Luckily, Samsung used standard Phillips screws on the Focus’ case. I removed the seven screws with a Phillips #000 bit.

Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic

Caption by: Bill Detwiler

Samsung Focus (Windows Phone 7) Teardown

Back half of case removed

Back half of case removed

Once the seven external screws are removed, you can use a thin metal blade or plastic case opening tool to pop the back half of the case loose from the Samsung Focus. You should be able to gently work your way around the case without breaking at of the back half’s small plastic tabs.

Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic

Caption by: Bill Detwiler

Samsung Focus (Windows Phone 7) Teardown

Back half of the case

Back half of the case

Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic

Caption by: Bill Detwiler

Samsung Focus (Windows Phone 7) Teardown

Metal headset gasket

Metal headset gasket

A small metal gasket is set within thin slots at the top of case. This gasket sits behind the hole in the case for the headphone jack. Take care when removing the back half of the case from the rest of the Samsung Focus as this gasket is not secured to the case.

Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic

Caption by: Bill Detwiler

Samsung Focus (Windows Phone 7) Teardown

Back half of the case removed

Back half of the case removed

Samsung Focus (Windows Phone 7) Teardown

Removing the Volume Up/Down button

Removing the Volume Up/Down button

The Samsung Focus’ volume up/down button is not attached to either half of the case.

Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic

Caption by: Bill Detwiler

Samsung Focus (Windows Phone 7) Teardown

Headphone bracket

Headphone bracket

A thin metal bracket overlaps the Samsung Focus’ headphone jack. A single Phillips screws holds the bracket in place.

Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic

Caption by: Bill Detwiler

Samsung Focus (Windows Phone 7) Teardown

Headphone jack bracket removed

Headphone jack bracket removed

Either after or before removing the headphone jack bracket, you’ll also need to pry loose its connector from the main PCB. The headpone jack appeared to be attached to the case with strong adhesive. As leaving it in place wouldn’t stop me from removing the main PCB, I decide not to pry it loose.

Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic

Caption by: Bill Detwiler

Samsung Focus (Windows Phone 7) Teardown

Removing the 5.0MP camera

Removing the 5.0MP camera

To remove the Samsung Focus’ 5.0MP camera you’ll need to pry loose its connector from the main PCB.

Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic

Caption by: Bill Detwiler

Samsung Focus (Windows Phone 7) Teardown

Camera removed

Camera removed

With the camera disconnected from the main PCB, you can easily lift it out of the Samsung Focus.

Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic

Caption by: Bill Detwiler

Samsung Focus (Windows Phone 7) Teardown

Camera - NEC MC-10170 image processor

Camera - NEC MC-10170 image processor

The Samsung Focus’ camera assembly uses the NEC MC-10170 image processor. This is the same IC used on the Samsung Galaxy S camera.?

Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic

Caption by: Bill Detwiler

Samsung Focus (Windows Phone 7) Teardown

Antenna cable

Antenna cable

We’ll need to disconnect this antenna cable before removing the main PCB.

Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic

Caption by: Bill Detwiler

Samsung Focus (Windows Phone 7) Teardown

Disconnect remaining cables

Disconnect remaining cables

Next, we’ll need to disconnect the three remaining cables attached to the Samsung Focus’ main PCB. The two large connectors (shown on the left) should pop loose without much force.

A much smaller ribbon cable (shown on the right) connects the speaker assembly to the small PCB that sit on top of the main PCB. To release the cable, gently lift up on the connector’s locking gate.

Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic

Caption by: Bill Detwiler

Samsung Focus (Windows Phone 7) Teardown

Removing the speaker

Removing the speaker

With the ribbon cable disconnected, you can pry the speaker loose from the rest of the Samsung Focus. It’s not secured with adhesive, but it does fit very tightly.

Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic

Caption by: Bill Detwiler

Samsung Focus (Windows Phone 7) Teardown

Speaker - Front

Speaker - Front

Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic

Caption by: Bill Detwiler

Samsung Focus (Windows Phone 7) Teardown

Speaker - Back

Speaker - Back

Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic

Caption by: Bill Detwiler

Samsung Focus (Windows Phone 7) Teardown

Removing the upper PCBs

Removing the upper PCBs

With all the cables disconnected, you can gently pry both the main PCB and smaller PCB (still attached to the main) away from the Samsung Focus. Take great care when doing this. As the next photo shows, the PCBs are still connected to the front case panel by the contacts for the volume up/down button.

Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic

Caption by: Bill Detwiler

Samsung Focus (Windows Phone 7) Teardown

Upper PCBs lifted away from the case

Upper PCBs lifted away from the case

Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic

Caption by: Bill Detwiler

Samsung Focus (Windows Phone 7) Teardown

Volume up/down button contacts

Volume up/down button contacts

The volume up/down button contacts are attached to the display assembly with adhesive. We’ll need to pry them loose to further dissect the PCBs.

Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic

Caption by: Bill Detwiler

Samsung Focus (Windows Phone 7) Teardown

Prying loose the volume up/down button contacts

Prying loose the volume up/down button contacts

Using a thin metal blade, I was able to very gently pry the volume up/down button contacts away from the display assembly.

Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic

Caption by: Bill Detwiler

Samsung Focus (Windows Phone 7) Teardown

Upper PCBs removed

Upper PCBs removed

Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic

Caption by: Bill Detwiler

Samsung Focus (Windows Phone 7) Teardown

Upper PCB assembly - Top

Upper PCB assembly - Top

Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic

Caption by: Bill Detwiler

Samsung Focus (Windows Phone 7) Teardown

Upper PCB assembly - Bottom

Upper PCB assembly - Bottom

We’ll need to remove the metal EMI shields to see the chips underneath.

Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic

Caption by: Bill Detwiler

Samsung Focus (Windows Phone 7) Teardown

Disconnect the small PCB connector

Disconnect the small PCB connector

You’ll need to pop loose this connector before separating the small PCB from the main PCB.

Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic

Caption by: Bill Detwiler

Samsung Focus (Windows Phone 7) Teardown

Small PCB removed

Small PCB removed

The small, upper PCB is glued to the top of a metal EMI shield. Using a thin metal blade, you can pop the EMI shield (and small PCB) away from the main PCB.

With the small PCB and shield removed, we get our first glimpse of the chips on the main PCB.

Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic

Caption by: Bill Detwiler

Samsung Focus (Windows Phone 7) Teardown

SIM slot and microSD card slot

SIM slot and microSD card slot

The small PCB contains the Samsung Focus’ SIM slot, microSD card slot, and the contacts for the volume up/down button.

Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic

Caption by: Bill Detwiler

Samsung Focus (Windows Phone 7) Teardown

Small, upper PCB - Bottom

Small, upper PCB - Bottom

As I previously noted, the small, upper PCB is attached to a metal EMI shield.

Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic

Caption by: Bill Detwiler

Samsung Focus (Windows Phone 7) Teardown

Qualcomm QSD8250 1.0GHz Snapdragon processor

Qualcomm QSD8250 1.0GHz Snapdragon processor

The Samsung Focus has a 1.0GHz Qualcomm QSD8250 Snapdragon processor.

Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic

Caption by: Bill Detwiler

Samsung Focus (Windows Phone 7) Teardown

?PM7540 PM7540? ?Qualcomm PM7540 power management IC

?PM7540 PM7540? ?Qualcomm PM7540 power management IC

Qualcomm PM7540 power management IC

Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic

Caption by: Bill Detwiler

Samsung Focus (Windows Phone 7) Teardown

Micron chip

Micron chip

Micron Technology chip with markings:

OUA98 JW500 TQND

Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic

Caption by: Bill Detwiler

Samsung Focus (Windows Phone 7) Teardown

SiliconBlue iCE65L04 Ultra Low-Power FPGA

SiliconBlue iCE65L04 Ultra Low-Power FPGA

SiliconBlue Technologies iCE65L04 Ultra Low-Power FPGA

Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic

Caption by: Bill Detwiler

Samsung Focus (Windows Phone 7) Teardown

Avago Technolgies ACPM-5251

Avago Technolgies ACPM-5251

Avago Technolgies ACPM-5251, 4×5 UMTS Band I & Band V Dual-Band Power Amplifier Module with Integrated Coupler

Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic

Caption by: Bill Detwiler

Samsung Focus (Windows Phone 7) Teardown

A5202 K1035 A47V6

A5202 K1035 A47V6

Chip with markings:

A5202 K1035 A47V6

Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic

Caption by: Bill Detwiler

Samsung Focus (Windows Phone 7) Teardown

Skyworks SKY77336 Power Amplifier Module

Skyworks SKY77336 Power Amplifier Module

Skyworks SKY77336 Power Amplifier Module

Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic

Caption by: Bill Detwiler

Samsung Focus (Windows Phone 7) Teardown

Fairchild Semiconductor FSA9280A USB 2.0 switch

Fairchild Semiconductor FSA9280A USB 2.0 switch

Fairchild Semiconductor FSA9280A USB 2.0 Accessory Detection Switch w/ 28V FET

According to the company’s website:

“These switches allow the sharing of a common USB port to pass audio, USB data / charging, as well as factory programmability. In addition, the FSA9280A / FSA9288A integrate detection of accessories, such as headphones, headsets (MIC / button), car chargers, USB chargers, and UART data cables with the ability to use a common USB connector.”

Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic

Caption by: Bill Detwiler

Samsung Focus (Windows Phone 7) Teardown

Miscellaneous chips

Miscellaneous chips

More Miscellaneous chips located below the processor.

Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic

Caption by: Bill Detwiler

Samsung Focus (Windows Phone 7) Teardown

Main PCB - Bottom

Main PCB - Bottom

After working our way through the chips on the top of the main PCB, let’s turn our attention to the chips on the bottom.

Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic

Caption by: Bill Detwiler

Samsung Focus (Windows Phone 7) Teardown

SanDisk SDIN4C2-8G 8GB NAND flash RAM

SanDisk SDIN4C2-8G 8GB NAND flash RAM

SanDisk SDIN4C2-8G 8GB NAND flash RAM

Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic

Caption by: Bill Detwiler

Samsung Focus (Windows Phone 7) Teardown

Qualcomm RTR6285 UMTS/GSM/EDGE cellular transceiver

Qualcomm RTR6285 UMTS/GSM/EDGE cellular transceiver

Qualcomm RTR6285 UMTS/GSM/EDGE cellular transceiver

Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic

Caption by: Bill Detwiler

Samsung Focus (Windows Phone 7) Teardown

Texas Instruments TPS65023B 6-channel Power Management IC

Texas Instruments TPS65023B 6-channel Power Management IC

Texas Instruments TPS65023B 6-channel Power Management IC

Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic

Caption by: Bill Detwiler

Samsung Focus (Windows Phone 7) Teardown

Miscellaneous chips

Miscellaneous chips

Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic

Caption by: Bill Detwiler

Samsung Focus (Windows Phone 7) Teardown

More miscellaneous chips

More miscellaneous chips

Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic

Caption by: Bill Detwiler

Samsung Focus (Windows Phone 7) Teardown

Avago AFI037 1512BB

Avago AFI037 1512BB

Avago AFI037 1512BB

Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic

Caption by: Bill Detwiler

Samsung Focus (Windows Phone 7) Teardown

Display assembly and front panel

Display assembly and front panel

The screen and display assembly are attached to the front panel with strong adhesive. As I want to reassemble this Samsung Focus in working order, I’m going to leave these components connected.

Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic

Caption by: Bill Detwiler

Samsung Focus (Windows Phone 7) Teardown

Atmel mXT224 224-node touchscreen microcontroller

Atmel mXT224 224-node touchscreen microcontroller

Atmel mXT224 224-node touchscreen microcontroller

Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic

Caption by: Bill Detwiler

Samsung Focus (Windows Phone 7) Teardown

Samsung Focus completely disassembled

Samsung Focus completely disassembled

The Samsung Focus was surprisingly easy to disassemble. It has standard Phillips screws and several easily-removable internal components. Unfortunately, the display assembly is held in place with strong adhesive. A heat gun or hair dryer could be used to loosen the glue during repair, but it should be a last resort.

Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic

Caption by: Bill Detwiler

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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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