Phone · Samsung · Galaxy S3 Mini
Samsung Galaxy S3 Mini Screen Replacement
Screen Replacement guide for the Samsung Galaxy S3 Mini
Before you begin
Tools
- Phillips #00 screwdriver
- Plastic prying tools
- Spudger tool
- Heat gun or hair dryer
- Suction cup tool
- Tweezers
Parts / materials
- Replacement screen assembly
- Double-sided adhesive strips
- Isopropyl alcohol (90%+)
- Clean microfiber cloth
Safety
- Wear safety glasses to protect your eyes from fine glass shards if the screen is shattered.
- Do not overheat the frame to avoid warping internal plastic components.
- Use an anti-static wrist strap to prevent electrostatic discharge damage to the motherboard.
Overview
Step-by-step
- 1
Power off the device
1 minPress and hold the Power button, then tap Power Off to ensure the phone is completely shut down.
- 2
Remove the back cover
1 minInsert a fingernail or plastic opening tool into the slot near the top edge and lift the cover off.
- 3
Remove the battery
1 minLift the battery from the recess at the bottom of the battery compartment.
- 4
Remove the SIM card
1 minPress down slightly and slide the SIM card out of its metal tray.
- 5
Remove the microSD card
1 minSlide the microSD card out of its slot if one is installed.
- 6
Unscrew the midframe
3 minRemove the ten Phillips #00 screws securing the rear midframe to the display bezel.
- 7
Separate the midframe
3 minInsert a plastic pry tool into the seam around the perimeter and unclip the midframe from the chassis.
- 8
Disconnect the display cable
1 minUse a flat-end spudger to pry the screen ribbon cable connector straight up from the motherboard.
- 9
Disconnect the antenna cable
1 minPry the coaxial antenna cable head straight up off its motherboard socket using tweezers.
- 10
Remove the motherboard
2 minGently lift the motherboard out of the front housing, starting from the bottom edge.
- 11
Heat the front display glass
3 minApply heat evenly around the screen edges with a heat gun set to low for about two minutes.
- 12
Attach suction cup
1 minPress a suction cup onto the bottom area of the front glass screen.
- 13
Pry the screen assembly
2 minPull up gently on the suction cup and insert a plastic pick into the gap between glass and frame.
- 14
Slice perimeter adhesive
4 minSlide the plastic pick along all four edges to slice through the adhesive securing the display.
- 15
Remove damaged screen
2 minLift the screen away from the frame, carefully guiding the flex cable through the frame slot.
- 16
Clean old frame adhesive
3 minScrape remaining adhesive from the bezel using isopropyl alcohol and a spudger, then wipe clean.
- 17
Apply new adhesive strips
3 minPlace custom double-sided adhesive strips along the inner border of the front frame.
- 18
Install replacement screen
2 minThread the new display flex cable through the frame opening and press the screen into the frame.
- 19
Reinstall the motherboard
2 minPlace the motherboard back into the housing and press the display ribbon connector into its socket.
- 20
Reconnect antenna cable
1 minAlign and snap the coaxial antenna connector firmly onto the motherboard socket.
- 21
Reattach the midframe
2 minAlign the midframe over the chassis and snap the outer edges back into place.
- 22
Secure midframe screws
3 minReinstall the ten Phillips #00 screws around the midframe until snug.
After your Samsung Galaxy S3 Mini screen replacement
Power the Galaxy S3 Mini back on and test the screen replacement function before you put every screw away. Check touch/display response, charging, cameras, buttons, and wireless as relevant to this repair. If something fails after closing the device, reopen carefully and reseat the connectors for this Samsung Galaxy S3 Mini job before assuming the part is defective. Keep leftover adhesive and screws labeled in case you need a second pass.
Keep learning
Explore more Samsung Galaxy S3 Mini repair context in the encyclopedia, or open related DIY guides.
