Microsoft

Samsung Focus (Windows Phone 7) Teardown

By // December 19, 2010, 5:14 AM PST // billdetwiler

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  • 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

    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

  • 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

  • Opening the box

    Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic

    Caption by: Bill Detwiler

  • Opening the box

    The Samsung focus measures 4.84 inches high, 2.56 inches wide, and 0.39 inches deep. It weighs 4.07 ounces.

    Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic

    Caption by: Bill Detwiler

  • Box contents

    Along with the device, the Samsung Focus comes with a wall charger, USB cable, headset, and product documentation.

    Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic

    Caption by: Bill Detwiler

  • Front

    The Focus' 4-inch Super AMOLED display delivers a resolution of 480x800. Located below the display are the Search, Start, and Back buttons.

    Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic

    Caption by: Bill Detwiler

  • Back

    On the back, you'll find the 5.0MP digital camera with 4x zoom and LED flash. Next to the camera is the speaker.

    Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic

    Caption by: Bill Detwiler

  • Left side

    Along the left side of the Samsung Focus is the volume button.

    Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic

    Caption by: Bill Detwiler

  • Right side

    Along the right side of the Samsung Focus are the Power/Lock button and the camera button.

    Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic

    Caption by: Bill Detwiler

  • Bottom

    Along the bottom edge is the microphone.

    Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic

    Caption by: Bill Detwiler

  • Top

    Along the top of the Samsung Focus are the 3.5mm headphone jack and the connector for the USB cable.

    Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic

    Caption by: Bill Detwiler

  • 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

  • Back cover

    Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic

    Caption by: Bill Detwiler

  • Back cover removed

    With the cover removed, we can also see the SIM slot and microSD card slot. There's a rather ominous message displayed on the microSD card slot:

    "STOP! Read Qcuikstart first before using the memory card."

    According to the Focus' Quickstart guide, once you insert a memory card into the phone, it's "integrated with the phone's memory" and removing it will render the phone "inoperable." Yikes!

    Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic

    Caption by: Bill Detwiler

  • Battery - Front

    The Samsung Focus has a 3.7V 1500mAh Lithium-ion battery.

    Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic

    Caption by: Bill Detwiler

  • Battery - Back

    Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic

    Caption by: Bill Detwiler

  • 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

  • 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

  • Back half of the case

    Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic

    Caption by: Bill Detwiler

  • 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

  • Back half of the case removed

    With the back half of the case removed, we get our first look inside the Samsung Focus. There are three printed circuit boards (PCBs) within the device:

    A main PCB (located at the top of the phone)
    A smaller PCB containing the SIM slot and microSD card slot (mounted atop the main PCB)
    An even smaller PCB(located at the bottom of the phone)

    Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic

    Caption by: Bill Detwiler

  • 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

  • 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

  • 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

  • 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

  • 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

  • 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

  • Camera - Back

    Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic

    Caption by: Bill Detwiler

  • Antenna cable

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

    Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic

    Caption by: Bill Detwiler

  • 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

  • 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

  • Speaker - Front

    Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic

    Caption by: Bill Detwiler

  • Speaker - Back

    Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic

    Caption by: Bill Detwiler

  • 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

  • Upper PCBs lifted away from the case

    Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic

    Caption by: Bill Detwiler

  • 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

  • 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

  • Upper PCBs removed

    Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic

    Caption by: Bill Detwiler

  • Upper PCB assembly - Top

    Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic

    Caption by: Bill Detwiler

  • 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

  • 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

  • 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

  • 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

  • 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

  • Main PCB - Top

    Chips from Qualcomm, Micron, Fairchild, SiliconBlue, Avago, and Skyworks are located on top of the Samsung Focus' main PCB. Let's examine the individual chips more closely.

    Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic

    Caption by: Bill Detwiler

  • 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

  • ?PM7540 PM7540? ?Qualcomm PM7540 power management IC

    Qualcomm PM7540 power management IC

    Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic

    Caption by: Bill Detwiler

  • Micron chip

    Micron Technology chip with markings:

    OUA98 JW500 TQND

    Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic

    Caption by: Bill Detwiler

  • SiliconBlue iCE65L04 Ultra Low-Power FPGA

    SiliconBlue Technologies iCE65L04 Ultra Low-Power FPGA

    Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic

    Caption by: Bill Detwiler

  • Avago Technolgies ACPM-5251

    Avago Technolgies ACPM-5251, 4x5 UMTS Band I & Band V Dual-Band Power Amplifier Module with Integrated Coupler

    Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic

    Caption by: Bill Detwiler

  • A5202 K1035 A47V6

    Chip with markings:

    A5202 K1035 A47V6

    Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic

    Caption by: Bill Detwiler

  • Skyworks SKY77336 Power Amplifier Module

    Skyworks SKY77336 Power Amplifier Module

    Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic

    Caption by: Bill Detwiler

  • 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

  • Miscellaneous chips

    More Miscellaneous chips located below the processor.

    Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic

    Caption by: Bill Detwiler

  • 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

  • SanDisk SDIN4C2-8G 8GB NAND flash RAM

    SanDisk SDIN4C2-8G 8GB NAND flash RAM

    Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic

    Caption by: Bill Detwiler

  • Qualcomm RTR6285 UMTS/GSM/EDGE cellular transceiver

    Qualcomm RTR6285 UMTS/GSM/EDGE cellular transceiver

    Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic

    Caption by: Bill Detwiler

  • Samsung SWB-B23 Bluetooth IC

    This Samsung SWB-B23 Bluetooth IC was also used in the Samsung Galaxy S.

    Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic

    Caption by: Bill Detwiler

  • 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

  • Miscellaneous chips

    Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic

    Caption by: Bill Detwiler

  • More miscellaneous chips

    Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic

    Caption by: Bill Detwiler

  • Avago AFI037 1512BB

    Avago AFI037 1512BB

    Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic

    Caption by: Bill Detwiler

  • 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

  • Lower PCB

    A small PCB is located at the bottom of the Samsung focus' plastic case.

    Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic

    Caption by: Bill Detwiler

  • Atmel mXT224 224-node touchscreen microcontroller

    Atmel mXT224 224-node touchscreen microcontroller

    Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic

    Caption by: Bill Detwiler

  • 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

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

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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...