Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 teardown shows easy repair
updated 04:45 pm EDT, Mon August 20, 2012
Modular design, clips, Phillips screws welcomed by iFixit
A teardown of the recently-released Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 shows the tablet to be fairly easy to repair. The iFixit team notes that the process is relatively simple compared to the iPad, since Samsung has opted to use Phillips screws and a number of clips and connectors. The Note 10.1 gets a repairability score of 8 out of 10, versus 2 for the iPad.
A modular design and 16 connectors greeted iFixit as the repair outfit took the tablet apart. Although the 10.1's 5- and 2-megapixel camera modules are not considered remarkable, the fact that they're independent components (not sharing a cable) was seen as a positive choice. A 3.7-volt, 7000mAh battery was apparently easy to remove after disconnecting nearby cables, although a sacrifice in power is what allows the tablet to be thinner than the iPad.
Issues with the 10.1 include connectors being tricky to dislodge, the need to remove some tape and cables in order to take out the battery, and the overuse of adhesive in some areas. This contrasts with the March iPad teardown, which found a difficult-to-remove display panel and front glass; iFixit argued the tablet was not intended to be repaired in the field.
