Difficulty
Moderate
Steps
9
Time Required
30 minutes - 1 hour
Sections
3
- Back Cover
- 3 steps
- Front Screen Assembly
- 2 steps
- Battery
- 4 steps
Flags
1
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BackSamsung Gear S3 Frontier
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Introduction
WARNING: Following this guide will damage the waterproof seal on your watch.
NOTE: Since 2018, there has been a well-known issue with high battery drain on some Gear S3 devices (https://us.community.samsung.com/t5/Gear…) and following this guide to replace your battery may not solve the issue. It is recommended that S3 owners attempt software fixes (leaving device off for days, performing updates, uninstalling apps, fully charging while on/off, etc) before attempting a battery replacement.
What you need
Step 1
Back Cover
- Place the watch screen-down so that its back cover is showing.
Place the watch screen-down so that its back cover is showing.
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Step 2
- Remove the four 4.2mm screws with a Y00 screwdriver.
Remove the four 4.2mm screws with a Y00 screwdriver.
Step 3
- This step will ruin the water-proof seal.
- Wedge the metal spudger in between the back cover and the frame along the seam.
- Use force to pry the back cover away from the main watch frame.
- This step requires a lot of force. You can use a Jimmy in place of a metal spudger to make the process easier.
This step will ruin the water-proof seal.
Wedge the metal spudger in between the back cover and the frame along the seam.
Use force to pry the back cover away from the main watch frame.
This step requires a lot of force. You can use a Jimmy in place of a metal spudger to make the process easier.
Step 4
Front Screen Assembly
- Detach the three connectors on the motherboard using your fingernail.
- The connectors are easy to pop off. Minimal force is necessary.
Detach the three connectors on the motherboard using your fingernail.
The connectors are easy to pop off. Minimal force is necessary.
Step 5
- Separate the motherboard and front screen assembly using a spudger.
Separate the motherboard and front screen assembly using a spudger.
Step 6
Battery
- Using a JIS #00 screwdriver, remove the two 4.5 mm screws.
Using a JIS #00 screwdriver, remove the two 4.5 mm screws.
Step 7
- Disconnect the battery ribbon cable from bracket.
- Be careful with the battery ribbon cable and motherboard cable (located on the side opposite the battery cable, highlighted with the orange box), as they are very easy to break (ours did when disassembling).
- Note how the end of the ribbon cable seats in the plastic chassis. Look for the plastic pin on the chassis when re-seating during re-assembly.
- Separate the chassis from the motherboard.
Disconnect the battery ribbon cable from bracket.
Be careful with the battery ribbon cable and motherboard cable (located on the side opposite the battery cable, highlighted with the orange box), as they are very easy to break (ours did when disassembling).
Note how the end of the ribbon cable seats in the plastic chassis. Look for the plastic pin on the chassis when re-seating during re-assembly.
Separate the chassis from the motherboard.
Step 8
- Separate the battery from the motherboard.
- The battery and the motherboard are secured with adhesive; some force is needed.
- Lithium-ion batteries are potentially dangerous. Handle with extreme care and do not puncture the battery.
Separate the battery from the motherboard.
The battery and the motherboard are secured with adhesive; some force is needed.
Lithium-ion batteries are potentially dangerous. Handle with extreme care and do not puncture the battery.
Step 9
- When reassembling, place the battery into the plastic assembly first. Don’t stick it to the adhesive first. This way, it’s easy to position the battery cable.
- When securing the battery cable, make sure the hole that the peg goes through is round. The hole on your replacement battery’s cable could be malformed. You may want to widen the hole before securing the cable.
- To widen the hole, use the Pro Tech Toolkit’s SIM tool, a small paperclip or similar fine-tipped tool. The tool can also be used to gently press the battery cable into the correct position. Do this carefully to avoid damage.
- Follow steps 8-1 in reverse order to reassmble.
When reassembling, place the battery into the plastic assembly first. Don’t stick it to the adhesive first. This way, it’s easy to position the battery cable.
When securing the battery cable, make sure the hole that the peg goes through is round. The hole on your replacement battery’s cable could be malformed. You may want to widen the hole before securing the cable.
To widen the hole, use the Pro Tech Toolkit’s SIM tool, a small paperclip or similar fine-tipped tool. The tool can also be used to gently press the battery cable into the correct position. Do this carefully to avoid damage.
Follow steps 8-1 in reverse order to reassmble.
To reassemble your device, follow these instructions in reverse order.
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Author
with 7 other contributors
William Hurty
Member since: 10/08/2018
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Team
Cal Poly, Team S15-G2, White Fall 2018
Member of Cal Poly, Team S15-G2, White Fall 2018
CPSU-WHITE-F18S15G2
4 Members
34 Guides authored
David R - Mar 6, 2019
Reply
Is there a way to reseal the watch making it water proof?
Frank Mauderer - Sep 20, 2019
If the seal was damaged during opening the backcover, unfortunately you need a new backcover, cause the seal is integrated in the case.
popoypoi22 - Mar 14, 2019
Reply
where to buy the battery?
Jae Shim - Apr 9, 2019
https://www.amazon.com/Tesurty-Replaceme…
Adam Seidlitz - Mar 24, 2019
Reply
is there a kit somewhere for the battery/new seal
