Introducción
Samsung is at it again with the Note9, right on schedule. Amidst a brutal anti-Apple ad campaign, they’re hoping a cool new S Pen is enough to carry the day. Could there be more waiting for us under the hood? We’ll tear down to find out!
Phone in to our Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter to get on the teardown hotline!
Qué necesitas
Resumen del Video
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Here are some initial Notes on the 9:
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Notchless edge-to-edge 6.4" Super AMOLED display with 2960 × 1440 resolution (516 ppi)
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Octa-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 processor paired with 6 GB RAM (8 GB optional)
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4,000 mAh battery
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12 MP OIS dual rear camera system with dual-aperture ƒ/1.5-ƒ/2.4 wide-angle and ƒ/2.4 telephoto modules, plus an 8 MP selfie cam
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128 GB internal storage (512 GB internal storage optional), with additional 512 GB available via microSD expansion
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S Pen stylus with Bluetooth connectivity
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IP68 dust and water resistance rating
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The Note9 looks very (very) similar to the Note8—and in principle at least, we're fine with that. Smartphone evolution has slowed, and even we don't think you should try to fix what isn't broken.
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So what is new? Well, it's very slightly wider and shorter than the Note8, with an extra 0.1 inch of display—and it's a hair thicker at 8.8 mm versus 8.6 mm.
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In an increasingly rare (but welcome) move, Samsung has kept the analog headphone jack.
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Another subtle (but good) change: the fingerprint sensor has packed its things and moved to a happier location, south of the rear camera.
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Spoiler alert: we got an early glimpse of the Note9's innards thanks to Creative Electron's wallhack abilities.
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Now that we have a map, let's glide on into battle.
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We'd like to hit the ground running, but this back panel adhesive is still pretty OP. Nerf it please, Samsung?
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Our usual strat of heat, suction, and careful slicing does the trick eventually.
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The newly relocated fingerprint sensor is a welcome change here—that flex cable location is much less vulnerable to accidental slicing and dicing.
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That said, it's still too short. A few flappy folds like we saw on the Surface Go would make reassembly a happier affair.
the fingerprint flex is too short, needs to be careful on the fingerprint sensor arear, additionally, a 45⁰ tweezer will be helpful when reassemble.
please note that your new back cover needs to have the fingerprint adhesive on. most of the product did not have. i have get a LUVSS note 9 back glass from amazon which came with all adhesive and full set tools, best option to go for replacing the note 9 back glass
In gaming lingo, “OP” means overpowered, usually denoting something that is uncharacteristically/unfairly strong. “Nerf” means "to reduce its power or effectiveness”—also used in gaming.
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The battery's still glued down in a miserable sticky well—but the Note8 didn't blow up so the design is justified, eh Samsung?
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The Note9 battery weighs in at a ludicrous 15.4 Wh, eschewing the cautious 12.71 Wh Note8 battery, and eclipsing both the infamous Note7 (13.48 Wh) and the iPhone X (a "mere" 10.35 Wh).
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Since we know you'll ask, here are some dimensions: 87.7 mm x 41.5 mm x 6 mm. Weight: 54.7 g. Now go forth and calculate energy density! Or whatever it is you do.
This is something that people often complain about when they see these battery capacity numbers, but I think it’s really important to note that while iPhones generally have smaller batteries than comparable Androids, their processors are also a lot more efficient, so they don’t need as big of a battery to get the same battery life. It’s still true that iPhones could probably do with getting better battery life, but the size of the battery doesn’t tell the whole story. Not needing as big of a battery makes it cheaper to manufacture, and less environmentally damaging to manufacture. And, they simply use less energy to run. I may be wrong, but I usually don’t see iFixit mentioning this when they compare battery capacity during teardowns.
@ezra Good point! In teardowns we almost always compare battery capacity to other, similar devices, but it’s usually more as an interesting bit of trivia—not meant as a jab at Apple or anyone else. Personally I’ve always been impressed by Apple’s ability to do more with less when it comes to things like battery capacity, RAM, etc.
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The chips that move the bits and bytes:
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Samsung K3UH6H60AM-AGCJ 6 GB LPDDR4X SDRAM, with Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 layered underneath
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Samsung KLUDG4U1EA-B0C1 128 GB eUFS storage
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NXP Semiconductor PN80T NFC Controller
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Skyworks SKY78160-51 Front-End Module WLAN
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Avago/Broadcom AFEM-9096 Front-End Module LTE
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Qualcomm WCD9341 Audio Codec
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Maxim MAX77705 PMIC
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IC Identification, pt. 2:
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Qualcomm QET4100 Envelope Tracker
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RDA Microelectronics RDA6213N FM transceiver (likely)
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Samsung S2MIS01 MST Driver
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Qualcomm QDM3870 high band diversity front end module
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Skyworks SKY13716-11 low-band LNA front-end module
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NXP Semiconductor BGU8103 GPS/GLONASS/Galileo/BeiDou low noise amplifier
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Antenna Tuner
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IC Identifications, pt. 3:
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Maxim Integrated MAX585128 audio Amplifier (likely)
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Samsung S2MPB02 camera power management
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Samsung S2MPB03 camera power management
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ON Semiconductor FAN48618BUC53X 1 A Boost Regulator
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Vishay DG2730 480 Mbps DPDT analog switch
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NXP Semiconductor PCAL6524 24-bit I/O expander
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Knowles MEMS microphone
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IC Identifications, pt. 4 (sensors):
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STMicroelectronics LSM6DSL 3-axis accelerometer/gyroscope
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AKM Semiconductor AK09918C 3-axis electronic compass
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STMicroelectronics LPS22HB pressure sensor
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Maxim Integrated ? heart rate sensor
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Semtech SX9320 ? proximity sensor
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Diodes Incorporated hall sensor (likely)
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The motherboard has absorbed yesteryear's daughterboard, leaving a modular USB-C port (with a Knowles hanger-on microphone) ripe for the picking.
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Samsung continues to provide sanctuary for the now endangered headphone jack, while saddling it with a super thin spring-contact-connected cable.
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The heat pipe has significantly more surface area than prior generations. Perhaps those pipes proved the concept, or proved they needed to be that much beefier (because Fortnite).
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Time for S Pen extraction. We couldn't find a non-destructive way to crack it open, so we swapped in the heavy weapons—the ultrasonic
blastercutter! -
Now that Fortnite is here we were prepared for a tomato update, but the S Pen peels open like a banana.
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What's in this loot llama? How about a DA14580 Dialog Semiconductor Bluetooth Smart SoC ...
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... and a K8373 Seiko Instruments supercapacitor.
I think the coil near the tip is not for charging, its for powering the rest of the S-pen when used traditionally. If you look at Note 2 S-pen, it also had the coil at the tip. The wacom grid under the screen senses the S-Pen location on screen using this coil. However, my knowledge in this is limited, would love to learn more about how it charges the super capacitor.
@brijesh_ You are correct in that previous S Pens also have the same coil, and I agree that they are normally used in conjunction with the Wacom system. However, this new S Pen has a super capacitor (for the Bluetooth portion), and we could not find any other charging methods, so we are thinking that Samsung has cleverly doubled up the utility of the coils. Of course, if someone has more information we would gladly hear it!
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- This Note's components are more modular than ever, thanks to subtle changes to the USB-C hardware, headphone jack, and the S Pen dock's flex cable.
- The only screws used are standard Phillips screws.
- You can replace the battery if you're determined—two extremely stubborn glue barriers make it unnecessarily difficult.
- To service any component you must first painstakingly un-glue (and later re-glue) the glass rear panel.
- All-too-common display repairs require replacing the entire chassis or tediously separating the gluey cracked glass.
Consideraciones Finales
Calificación de Reparabilidad
(10 es lo más fácil de reparar)
24 comentarios
Pretty usual for Samsung. Just do NOT break the screen or you will cry at the replacement cost.
FYI, easiest way to remove the batteries in the S8- and S9-era Samsung phones is light heat on the display side, a syringe application of alcohol right down near the battery adhesive, and a suction cup to pull it up. Comes out like butter.
I dont get it..
No. Once the adhesive is broken, the device will no longer be waterproof. Only Samsung can waterproof it after repair (it requires special machine & adhesive)
What abt the waterproof status after removing it?
waterproof gone
ggmall -
Where is the cellular antenna located ?
Gracias!! Por su ayuda, vale la pena cambiar la pantalla y el cristal trasero del note 9, y que pegamento me recomiendan para el cristal trasero y que vuelva a ser resistente al agua
Gracias!!!
What if i only want to replace the front glass? I've got the tools and the glass, but every video i watched shows they replaced the whole front panel instead of only the glass.
Unfortunately, replacing the front glass only is not a DIY. You’d need to invest in some expensive equipment and be willing to destroy at least a few panels while you practice enough to get good at it. Those $10 glass-only screen repair kits are a scam; don’t fall for it.
please don’t try to replace the glass only by yourself, you will 100% destory the oled. here is the best option: 1. buy a full AMOLED screen combo for note 9 from amazon with tools for quick repair; 2. take off the screen and sell it to ifixit or other recycling dealer.
ggmall -
Is it possible to repair the logic card?
Newbie here,,, I’m thinking of buying the note 9.
Should I let it;s low repairability deter the purchase?
Is not being able to replace the battery a deal killer? I keep my phones a few years.
thanks for your input.
i request a battery change at an authorized samsung service station, as the battery was lasting less than desired - somewhere around 80% of capacity. the authorized post provided a budget that provides for the replacement of the battery and the plate (board).
but I didn't understand the reason why to change the plate (board) too?
GPS chipset? BCM 47775?
If the battery is dead (not overdead) but will not accept a charge, does that mean that the battery is bad or could it be part of the logic board? Also have there been many instances of the screen breaking internally from stress?
Good night, one question, the speaker above, under that metal mesh, which is the speaker, or the edge of the speaker? I hope I understand. I mean, in case of bad luck, if I went through the mesh, would you give to the edge of the headset or the earpiece? And second question, is the headset mesh resistant? Both outside and inside? Thank you
How hard is it to replace the exterior bixby and power buttons on the Note 9? Mine have broken off and now I need to use my finger nail or a small flat head to use them in any capacity. If it's as easy as replacing the entire button daughter boards, I'll just do that at the same time as replacing the battery.
I would like to replace everything on my note 9 tho don't know where to go for the proper parts or upgradable parts
