Teardown difficulty:
Moderate
Duration:
12 min

Recommended tools

Disassembly/Repair of the mobile device Samsung Galaxy S20 SM-G981 with each step description and the required set of tools.


Author, currently - Quality Assurance Specialist


How to disassemble Samsung Galaxy S20 SM-G981, Step 1/1

Step 1. Before disassembling!

⚠️ Before disassembling, do not forget to turn your phone off.


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Step 2. Remove the tray

Use the Key tool (aka Needle) or Paperclip. Push the tip all the way into the hole until the tray ejects, and then pull the tray of SIM and Memory card (Micro SD) out.

ℹ️️ Remember the location for the SIM and Memory card (Micro SD) trays so that nothing is confused when reassembling.

⚠️ Pay attention! The tool must be inserted into a hole on the edge of the phone's housing. Do not press too hard. It may break the tray eject mechanism.


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Step 3. Open the back cover

We recommend using a special heating device such as a separator machine, heat gun, or heating mat. It will simplify the process. You can use a home hairdryer, but you will have to make a nozzle by hand or have a suitable one in the kit to gently heat and concentrate the heat flow in the right place.

ℹ️️ The surface of the back cover must be heated to soften the adhesive underneath. The approximate heating temperature is 50° C / 125° F.

Use a thin plastic film or pick for separation. To facilitate the process, you can use isopropyl alcohol. It is often most difficult to pass the tool between the parts to be divided. Choose the far edge from the FFC cables or buttons.


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Step 4. Unscrew the screws

Using a screwdriver (Phillips 1.5 mm PH000), unscrew 10 screws.

ℹ️️ Be sure to note the location of the screws before disassembling. When assembling the device, screwing the screw in the wrong place may damage the device or its part. To avoid damage, the removed screws and individual pieces (as gaskets or brackets) must be laid out in the appropriate order, or the screws and their holes in the phone must be marked with colored markers.


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Step 5. Open the cover

Carefully remove the cover with an NFC tag.


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Step 6. Disconnect the battery connector

Disconnect the battery connector as soon as possible.

ℹ️️ The Samsung Galaxy S20 SM-G981 model has a battery EB-BG980ABY with 4000 mAh capacity (aka rechargeable battery).

⚠️ It is highly recommended to disconnect the connector to avoid possible short circuits during disassembly. Also, try not to use a metal tool to disconnect the rechargeable battery connector or do it carefully.


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Step 7. Open the cover

Remove the cover with antennas that protect the printed circuit board (PCB). Try to lift the covers by the edges and not push anything between them to not accidentally touch or short-circuit anything on the PCB.

ℹ️️ On the upper cover, you can see the metalized coating on the plastic in the form of tracks and contact pads. These are Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and GPS antennas.

⚠️ It is crucial while reassembling, checking the spring contacts on the board, and the contact pads on the cover match and touch. Otherwise, signal loss or signal may be quite weak.


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Step 8. Unscrew the screws

Using a screwdriver (Phillips 1.5 mm PH000), unscrew the five screws.


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Step 9. Remove the loudspeaker

Remove the loudspeaker assembly with antennas.


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Step 10. Remove the inter-board cables

Carefully, preferably from the edge, disconnect the connectors and remove the inter-board cables connecting the mainboard to the daughterboard (also known as the sub-board).

⚠️ Be careful when removing the cables from the connectors, the cables are pretty thin, and it is easy enough to break them or damage the contact tracks inside.

ℹ️️ An arrow on the FFC cable (flexible flat cable) indicates its correct position.


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Step 11. Unscrew the screws

Using a screwdriver (Phillips 1.5 mm PH000), unscrew the three screws.


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Step 12. Remove the daughterboard

Remove the sub-board. It is glued to the frame with metalized tape, so to facilitate the process, the board can be heated a bit.

ℹ️️ The board contains a charging port (Micro USB), microphone, vibration motor, spring contacts for the speaker, and an antenna unit.

⚠️ It is not necessary to insert the tool under the board when removing the sub-board. Internal components could be damaged.


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Step 13. Disconnect the connectors

Pry up the connectors of power volume buttons cable, display module cable, front camera, proximity sensor.

⚠️ Be careful when removing the cables from the connectors, the cables are pretty thin, and it is easy enough to break them or damage the contact tracks inside.


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Step 14. Unscrew one screw

Using a screwdriver (Phillips 1.5 mm PH000), unscrew one screw.


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Step 15. Remove the motherboard

Carefully remove the printed circuit board. There is no need to use a lever or try to reach the board by force. Make sure that nothing is getting in the way or holding the board.

⚠️ Do not bend the circuit board when removing it or push tools under it. Unbeknownst to yourself, you can damage components or cables from the inside.


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Step 16. Remove the cameras

Disconnect the connectors and remove three rear cameras.

Detailed disassembly instructions of Samsung Galaxy S20 SM-G981 in the video, made by our mobile repair & service center:

If you have a question, ask us, and we will try to answer in as much detail as possible. If this article was helpful for you, please rate it.


Disassembling\Repair has medium complexity and takes about 12 minutes in time. Our manual is suitable for all models Samsung Galaxy S20 SM-G981 released for markets in different countries.


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