Mobile Repair: Guide with everything you need to know
If your mobile has broken down, you have surely been a little upset. It is not for less, but luckily even that disaster that for you has no solution, can be solved without having to buy a new one. The repair of mobiles and tablets is a whole professional field and a science in itself, and if you have ever wanted to know a little about the process itself, you are in luck, because this time we will investigate some of the key aspects of repairing smartphones, starting with a good technical service recommendation, going through the easiest and most difficult components to repair, until reaching the necessary tools to do the repair on our own.
What are the easiest elements to repair on a mobile? : Mobile Repair: Guide with everything you need to know
The difficulty of repairing a mobile varies from manufacturer to manufacturer and from model to model, but below we will know those elements that are generally easy to repair or replace.
The Software: When it comes to a problem that is rooted in the device’s operating system, we have little or nothing to worry about, many times we can solve it on our own just by digging a little on the Internet and looking for tutorials. Even in the most extreme cases, such as a brick- and- mortar , there is always something we can do, whether it is to restore the factory device from recovery or from the PC using Fastboot or ADB commands.
If all else fails, flashing a new ROM can help, and if that doesn’t help either, a USB JIG is sure to do the trick.
Audio Jack: Headphone jacks are subject to friction and stress can often be placed on the contact points. Either way, once the device is disassembled, it is simple and inexpensive to replace the headphone jack, since they are usually independent and connect directly to the motherboard, although sometimes they do connect to the speaker assembly.
Charging port : The USB charging port is usually one of the most common repairs, since like the audio jack, it is subjected to stress and friction. The consolation is that it can be easily replaced on the vast majority of devices.
A broken touch that is not attached to the screen is usually easy and inexpensive to replace with the proper knowledge.
In theory it is not difficult to replace any part, but very often manufacturers make it difficult as a result of innovation and planned obsolescence.
What are the most difficult parts to repair in a mobile?: Mobile Repair: Guide with everything you need to know
Next, we will list those components that can be difficult to repair:
The screen: It does not necessarily have to be difficult to fix a mobile with a broken screen, but it is an element that varies between simple and cheap or extremely expensive, it all depends on how it is built. In some cases, the glass and digitizer (or touch mica) are fused together, making the replacement unit very expensive. However, if not, a replacement screen can be purchased affordably. When it comes to repairing a smartphone, it is always advisable to resort to a professional technical service , such as Servicio10, which specializes in repairing mobile screens from the most popular brands and offers collection + delivery of the device. Without further ado, let’s get started.
Batteries that are stuck: You are probably wondering how difficult it can be to change a used battery, and in an ideal world we would say that it is very simple, but certain manufacturers such as Samsung have chosen to use adhesive to put it in place, as an example we have to the Samsung Galaxy S20 series; which sins of having a battery attached and interconnection cables of the plate surrounding it.
USB ports soldered to motherboard: Again, replacing a damaged USB port is straightforward, unless it is soldered directly to the device’s motherboard. This is a more common problem than it should be on tablets, and can be seen on devices like the Microsoft Surface Duo .
Rear glass panels: This is one of the Achilles heels of the iPhone 11 and 12 series, since if the rear glass breaks, there is no choice but to remove each component and replace the entire body. To our consolation, this is not always the case with other manufacturers, but it is a recurring problem with Apple mobile phone repair, something that has not changed since we last talked about this topic .
Tools that are needed for a mobile or tablet repair : Mobile Repair: Guide with everything you need to know
Well, like all electronic device repairs, this one begins with a good screwdriver kit , but not just any spline screwdriver will work for all mobiles, we also need some specialized heads, such as Driver T4, T5 and T6, Phillips # 00 and # 000 of 1.5 millimeters .
We cannot underestimate the plastic prongs or levers , as they allow us to separate parts that are pressed together, such as the plastic housing.
In the same way, the tweezers are used to manipulate the most delicate components with precision.
A suction cups come in handy when separating the screen of a terminal.
Other aspects to consider
First of all, it should be noted that the degree of complexity in mobile repair varies considerably depending on the model and brand , so, in certain cases, things that are easy to fix on most mobiles can be more complicated than repair X brand of smartphones. It all depends on the manufacturer and the design of the mobile itself. For example, devices with Unibody designs are difficult to enter no matter what task you are trying to perform.
Another important factor to consider is the availability of spare parts ; When a mobile is not very commercial in your country, we can expect the same from spare parts. This is the case a lot with imported phones, and if, for example, you purchased your device through stores such as AliExpress or Gearbest , you will most likely have to look for replacement parts in those same stores, and from your own experience you will we can count that the spare parts are not always of quality, so you have to be careful.
Is it better to do mobile repair at home or at a specialized service?
Well, if you have the expertise to do electronic repairs and you have the instruments at hand, we will not stop you from doing things yourself, and even if this is not the case, it can be an excellent learning experience. Also, today there are many guides available and forums on the Internet that can guide you through the mobile repair process, such as those that we can find in XDA Developers or iFixit .
It should be noted that we only recommend trying a repair at home if you do not have a lot to lose or if you are looking to accumulate experience. On the other hand, if you are one of those people who considers your smartphone as an extension of your body or you have a rather expensive terminal, it is best to leave it in the hands of a trained professional or technical service , since it is the best option to guarantee that the terminal is as new and free of damage as a result of the repair.