Everyone’s eyes are on the new Samsung S24 Ultra, but the S23 was still a massive success. It outsold its predecessor by 22%, in particular the Ultra.
The S23 Ultra continues to be an incredible phone in the current year with years of promised software updates. Swapping out things like the battery or the USB charger can extend its lifespan even more. But what about if you need a screen replacement for cracks or screen flickering?
A Samsung S23 Ultra screen replacement is something you can do at home-though we highly recommend going into a professional shop. We’ll walk you through the steps of swapping out the screen and adding screen protectors.
Samsung S23 Ultra Screen Replacement
Samsung screen replacement is one of the most involved, delicate repair processes. Samsung, like Apple and others, has been fighting against right-to-repair movements. Only recently has the tech giant made a self-repair program.
Even if experienced, you should exercise great caution during replacement. Screens are very delicate, just as they would be for an iPhone screen repair. Here are the tools you need:
- Heating pad or hair blow drier
- 1.5 mm Phillips screwdriver
- Isopropyl alcohol
- Plastic or metal pry tool
Make sure you have a clean, well-lit, non-static space to work on. Take your time and make sure not to lose anything. If you have any doubts, bring it to a professional.
It helps to place a clean piece of paper on the table where you are working. Divide the paper into sections and label them with specific parts, placing screws and components in these sections as needed. You’ll have to work backward at the end, so this will be immensely helpful.
Remove the Adhesive
Samsung, like other manufacturers, uses adhesive to put the components together to prevent water damage. First, remove that adhesive.
Put your phone on the heating pad and set the temperature to approximately 72 to 90°. Or, with a blow dryer, blow the phone’s sides on a high heat setting.
Use Isopropyl Alcohol
Squirt a tiny bit of isopropyl alcohol around the back edge of the phone. This will further loosen the glue.
Use that plastic pry tool and push it into the gap. Drag it around the edge to slowly and carefully cut through and detach the adhesive. The back panel should come right off so you can set it aside.
Remove Screws and Components
Next, you’re going to remove all of the visible Phillips screws. There should be 12 in total.
Use your pry tool to pop off the connector for the wireless pad and NFC connection. This will be just to the right of the phone’s middle cameras. Remove the entire NFC/wireless adapter assembly, including the speaker assembly attached to the bottom, and set it aside.
Disconnect the battery and the two long, squiggly main flex cables that run from the motherboard down to the speaker config and charging board. Before you proceed, make sure to remove the Phillips screws holding down the charging board.
Final Main Disassembly Steps
Pop out the SIM tray, remove the S-Pen, and finally remove the charging port. Remove the antenna connector at the top of the phone. Then disconnect the flex connector for the S-Pen, the LCD (a long, flat connector with Samsung on it), and the camera.
The mainboard should now lift right out. With extreme care, pry out the selfie camera-but make sure to disconnect the connector first! Use isopropyl alcohol and heat to remove the battery, being careful not to bend or puncture the cells.
Install the Screen
Get your new screen and remove it from the packaging. You may notice that there is no separation between the screen and the internal structure holding the main components. This is because, with Samsung, the screen is very heavily integrated into the overall system.
Now, you can reverse the process using the steps above from end to beginning.
Installing a Screen Protector
Installing a screen protector is much, much easier.
Clean the screen very well with a microfiber cloth and a sticker for removing particulate matter. Double and triple-check the screen to ensure it is clean. Any leftover pieces of dirt or lint will remain under the protector for good!
Apply the screen protector and squeeze out any bubbles, pushing them toward the outsides, rather than the middle. Make sure it lines up perfectly and then let it set. Voila, your screen protector is ready to go!
Self-Repair vs. Professional Repair
As you can see, the process is quite complex and you are effectively disassembling the entire phone just to replace the screen. Samsung, unlike other companies out there, has not made the process easy. So the question is this: should you bite the bullet and try to repair yourself, or take it into a shop?
Pros and Cons of Self-Repair
The benefit of doing it alone is the satisfaction of having fixed your phone with your own two hands. You can save a bit of money and learn some things in the process.
That said, it will take a lot of time, and there’s a high risk you could break something expensive even if you’re careful. Plus, you may do everything just right, only for the phone and Samsung Ultra screen not to turn on-and never figure out what went wrong.
Pros and Cons of Professional Repair
Sending it to a repair shop will cost a bit more, sure, but that’s the only disadvantage. You get a repair from a professional who has done hundreds of screen replacements.
You get peace of mind and a guarantee that if something goes wrong, you’re covered. And since it’s a professional, you know they won’t make any phone-ruining rookie mistakes. They can also leverage better tools designed specifically for dealing with smartphones, and acquire cheaper, legitimate parts.
Visit Fruit Fixed
A Samsung S23 Ultra screen replacement is difficult, but doable. You’ll need to carefully disassemble and reassemble the whole phone. It’s better for your peace of mind to send it to the repair shop.
At Fruit Fixed, we provide expert repair for a wide range of devices. We can replace the screen, battery, or anything else on your Samsung device. Choose the one you have here to see our pricing.
