Introduction
The Samsung Galaxy S21 might look like just a refreshed S20, but in a lot of ways it’s the most interesting phone of the S21 lineup. It’s less expensive than the Ultra and Plus, but it still gets the upgraded in-display fingerprint sensor from Qualcomm, some new display tech, and the new Snapdragon 888 processor with its integrated 5G modem—also from Qualcomm. What other surprises will we find inside? Let’s teardown the Galaxy S21 and find out.
Video Overview
- The fasteners, all identical Phillips screws, only require one driver and can't be mixed up, simplifying repair.
- Many components are modular and independently replaceable, but the missing headphone jack means double duty and wear for the USB-C port.
- The two most common repairs, screen and battery, are still unnecessarily sticky and complicated
Final Thoughts
Repairability Score
4
Repairability 4 out of 10
(10 is easiest to repair)
(10 is easiest to repair)
2 Comments
S21 5g just quit working. Needed a new screen but used Dex on the TV. Just won't power up now. What should I change out? It's beat up but I don't see any noticable damage.???
weberanthony78 - Reply
No step by step write-up, really? A video guide is so much less accessible than an article. Pretty disappointing.
Alex - Reply