With the dawn of a new year comes the highly anticipated arrival of Samsung’s latest flagship device, the Galaxy S24. This year, Samsung has unveiled a phone that shares a strong resemblance to its predecessor, the S23, a model I unfortunately missed the chance to take apart last year due to being overseas. So, the big question remains: Has Samsung improved its repairability or made it worse?
To answer that, I’ve purchased a brand new Galaxy S24, and I’m eager to take it apart to find out. Samsung’s flagship models haven’t seen significant parts pairing issues in recent years, so I’m hoping that trend continues with the S24. My goal here isn’t just to dissect the phone’s internal design, but to see how it compares to previous models, and ultimately, whether it’s easier or harder to repair.
Design: A Familiar Look
When you strip away the cameras and logos, you’ll notice that the Galaxy S24 doesn’t look too different from other smartphones on the market, including the latest iPhones. In fact, it’s hard to tell the difference at a glance. Samsung, once known for taking bold design risks, now seems to be following in Apple’s footsteps, mimicking the design elements of its competitor almost to the letter.
While this strategy can be effective in capturing market share, it does leave one questioning if Samsung has lost some of its distinctiveness by following the trend rather than setting it. Where once the company embraced a unique identity, it now seems content to be a shadow of the iPhone. That being said, if you’re a fan of Apple’s sleek and modern design, the S24 will certainly appeal.
Inside the Box: What’s Included?
At first, it seemed like Samsung was omitting accessories from the box this year. That was until I lifted the lid and found a SIM ejector pin and a USB-C cable, which are all you need to set up the phone and get it running. However, don’t forget, this also involves opting out of a few Google and Samsung services, plus a surprise restart or two along the way.
On the software side, I was shocked to realize we’re now on Android 14—time flies! My own device is still running Android 8, which feels like ancient history in comparison. Anyone else still rocking an outdated version of Android? Please tell me I’m not alone!
The Teardown: Dissecting the Galaxy S24
Now, let’s get to the real fun: taking the phone apart. To open it, we begin with the heat plate, which helps to soften the adhesive holding the phone together. This minimizes the risk of cracking the glass back. Samsung’s glue is strong enough to protect against liquid and debris, but not impossible to remove—just like previous models.
At first glance, the internal layout of the S24 is nearly identical to previous Samsung flagships. If you’ve seen the S22 or S23 tear-downs, you won’t be surprised by what you find here. That’s actually a good thing—why fix what isn’t broken? However, Samsung has added something new: a green tab designed to make the battery easier to remove.
Before we get to the battery, though, I’ll remove the earpiece speaker, which gives us access to the motherboard. Even though the iPhone and Galaxy look almost identical on the outside, the inside tells a different story. Samsung’s design is cleaner, with fewer cables, screws, and components. That said, it still allows easy access to the key components for repair.
Samsung’s New Battery Removal Tab: Is It Any Good?
The battery has long been one of the most difficult components to replace in Samsung phones. Previously, you could only buy the battery if it came attached to a new display assembly—making it difficult to get just the battery on its own. However, with the S24, Samsung has introduced a green pull tab to make removal easier. The idea is that this tab will allow you to grab onto the battery more easily. But does it work?
To test it, I remove the three cables required to access the tab. The large size of the tab does make it easier to grip, but it doesn’t make up for the fact that the adhesive holding the battery in place is still quite strong. I had to apply quite a bit of force to get it out. While the tab helps with the process, it’s still a good idea to use heat or alcohol to soften the adhesive beforehand, especially when trying to avoid damaging surrounding cables.
The battery itself has a 4,000 mAh capacity and is rated at 15W, which is in line with previous Samsung models. It’s a solid battery, but getting it out could still be a bit of a hassle if you’re not careful.
Modular Design and Ease of Repair
One of the things that stands out with the Galaxy S24 is the modularity of its design. The charge port and SIM tray, for example, are easy to remove and replace. The cables for the display are also modular, which means if you accidentally damage them during a repair, you don’t have to replace the whole screen. You can just swap out the individual cables.
As for the motherboard and camera, they come out together easily, though it’s important to note that the cameras are specific to the model. Whether you have an Exynos or Snapdragon version, make sure you get the right camera module when replacing it. This is a smart move on Samsung’s part, as it keeps the components streamlined but still accessible for repairs.
Final Thoughts: A Manageable Repair
After fully disassembling the Galaxy S24, it’s clear that Samsung has maintained its reputation for relatively easy repairability. The phone is held together with 23 Phillips screws, all the same size, which makes disassembly straightforward. The new battery tab, though not revolutionary, is an improvement—especially when combined with heat or alcohol to soften the adhesive.
Samsung’s approach to modularity is also impressive. By making key components like the charge port and display cables easy to replace individually, the S24 becomes one of the more repair-friendly devices on the market. That being said, I still wouldn’t recommend attempting to replace the OLED from the front, as the cables lack the slack needed for easy replacement.
Ultimately, while the S24 may not bring anything groundbreaking to the table, it does represent a continuation of Samsung’s commitment to repairable devices. It’s an easy phone to take apart, and if you’re comfortable using heat and alcohol, it’s a fairly manageable repair.
In a world where smartphone innovation seems to have plateaued, with more attention being focused on technologies like VR and AI, the S24 stands as a solid, simple device that remains easy to repair. So, if you’re looking for a phone that’s physically simple to maintain, the Samsung Galaxy S24 is definitely worth considering.
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