Samsung Galaxy Alpha: 5/10 to iFixit and a mixed picture – Frandroid

As always, iFixit got down to breaking up the latest smartphones it has received. And this time, the Galaxy Alpha which went under the knife, and got an average rating of 5 out of 10

Can you judge the value of a phone in his ability to be repaired? Not really. By cons, it is always interesting to know what can be done easily or not to save your expensive device. Today, iFixit has worked to disassemble the Samsung Galaxy Alpha, new design flagship of the Korean manufacturer and the mobile gets just average. Blame difficulties separating from the mobile screen, and all the incorporation of technology into such a small – 4.7 inches anyway – unit. But it is also the fault of the new steel structure of Alpha Galaxy, certainly more beautiful, but certainly more difficult to grasp for repairers to iFixit, more accustomed desoldering plastic with Samsung.

Among the repairs easier to execute, battery replacement . At the same time, it is removable and it greatly helps. Once the phone is open, iFixit notes that some components, such as camera back camera, the ignition button, buzzer or the speakers are easy to replace . But the ease ends.

For the rest, the fight was fiercer. Detach the screen – according to the account – was very difficult due to a thick layer of adhesive placed by Samsung. In addition, the screen is ultra thin (just 1.4mm) and we need to be very careful. The replacement of the glass, which must be at once fragile, will not be easy for fans repairers

At this dismantling of the mobile, iFixit found two interesting things. First, seals are present at the bottom of the while the mobile does not have the certification of water resistance. It seems that Samsung has still made sure to avoid some bad comments and feedback service for oxidation. The second finding is that Home button – and incidentally fingerprint reader – is not integral to the . This explains the slight feeling of floating it feels like letting slip our finger on it and hit us when our writing received the mobile.

Overall, iFixit notes that replacing any part other than the battery needs necessarily to remove the screen from the carcass of machine . This step is difficult, it will discourage many. Suddenly, the Galaxy Alpha achieves a score of only 5/10 . At least it’s better than the Fire and Phone debacle (3/10).