Samsung Galaxy Tab

Repair information for the 7" Android tablet by Samsung. Fixing this device is straightforward, and requires only common tools.

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Samsung Galaxy Tab Teardown

Teardown

Teardowns provide a look inside a device and should not be used as disassembly instructions.

Join us as we take a look into Samsung's 7-inch Android tablet! Serious props to Richard Lai and Engadget for helping us get our hands on this out-of-this-world hardware. Thanks, guys!

It's time to stand up for our right to repair. We're taking action against made-for-obsolescence devices with our Self-Repair Manifesto!

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Edit Step 1 — Samsung Galaxy Tab Teardown ¶

The Samsung Galaxy Tab has landed in the hands of iFixit.
Long rumored to be the "iPad Killer," join us as we assess this rumor and once and for all determine where the Galaxy Tab stands in the realm of tablets.
Tech Specs:
- 1 GHz ARM Cortex-A8 Hummingbird Multimedia Applications Processor based on the ARMv7 architecture.
- 16 or 32 GB internal storage capacity + microSD external expandable storage.
- 512 MB total DDR RAM
- 3.2 MP rear facing camera and 1.3 MP front facing camera.
- Android 2.2 (Froyo) + Samsung TouchWiz

Edit Step 2 ¶

Differentiating the look of all-screen devices has become a challenge, but Samsung pulled it off by making the white back cover stand out against the iPad-esque front face.
The capacitive controls along the bottom edge of the front panel are standard Android controls found on mostly all touchscreen phones.
The 3.2 MP rear facing camera with an LED flash is a bit sub-par for a device of this caliber, seeing how a much smaller device like the Droid 2 is packed with a 5 MP imager.

Edit Step 3 ¶

The Galaxy Tab has ports for headphones, the sim card, microSD (support for up to 32 GB), and a USB dock connector.

Edit Step 4 ¶

Side comparison of the Galaxy Tab and the iPad.
Measuring 190.1 x 120.6 x 12.0 mm, the Galaxy Tab is dimensionally smaller than its competitor. The iPad measures in at 242.8 x 189.7 x 13.4 mm.
Volumetrically, the Galaxy Tab measures 275.1 cm³, whereas the iPad measures 617.2 cm³.

Edit Step 5 ¶

Enough ogling. Let's search for some screws.
Prying off a plastic pad on both sides of the Apple-esque dock connector reveals two tri-wing screws.
Tri-wing screws are a pretty low level solution to tamper proofing a product. We have a 26 piece bit driver kit (that includes the tri-wing bit) on hand to continue the carnage.
How Apple-esque is the dock connector? Check out a side-by-side comparison of the USB cables and see for yourself.

Edit Step 6 ¶

Using a combination of plastic opening tools and guitar picks, the front panel is pried upward around its perimeter to release it from the plastic rear case.
Luckily, the Galaxy Tab doesn't use any self destructing copper retaining clips like the iPad.

Edit Step 7 ¶

After all the plastic tabs have been released, the rear case can be removed from the Galaxy Tab.
The inner face of the rear case has a heavy strip of EMI shielding where it rests against the processor and memory chips on the motherboard.
The rear case's plastic construction will no doubt aid in wireless reception. Using plastic allowed Samsung to bypass the creative measures used by Apple's iPad designers to aid in signal transmission.

Edit Step 8 ¶

Nearly half of the Galaxy Tab's real estate is engulfed by the battery.
The battery is secured to the rear panel by a single Phillips screw.
Disconnecting the battery requires prying the battery connector out of its socket on the motherboard.