Samsung, this is NOT Okay - Self Repair

I decided to try Samsung's Self-Repair program on my broken Galaxy S21, and the experience was full of surprises. What started as a simple screen replacement turned into a deep dive into Samsung's repair policies and by the end, I uncovered some shocking truths about the real cost and complexity of DIY phone repairs.
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Chapter Titles:
0:00 Samsung Self Repair
2:16 Parts
3:57 Disassembly
9:45 Reassembly
12:20 Worth It?
Correction:
3:04 This is actually battery PERCENTAGE not health, that's my bad 😅

[@BURZT_YT]

3:04 Austin, that "battery level" is not the battery life cycle health 😂😂

[@BudgetTechBandit]

Me with a s21: 😂😂 you dummy austin

[@Rasilia]

I came to say the same thing, it's just telling him the current charge level.

[@scientia-potentia]

Omg. Yeeeees! It is clear that he does not own or use an Android phone.

[@stefanegger]

He is not very good in repair or technical stuff but he is a good presenter and KZbinr, it is at least free to watch, so that is the quality that you get - in the end it is amateur content without any checking or quality control for entertainment.

[@spillerypasata2286]

@@scientia-potentia which is odd considering his love for the flip series

[@drmbilals]

3:02 That isn't the battery health. That's just the current battery level.

[@RomanManjolo]

The apple fan boy to android Samsung smartphones No wonder

[@f1ndGeo.]

As a repairer, there's zero point in buying a genuine battery cover (back glass, plastic back). Prices for an s21 rear plastic back start from $3 for a bad one, to around $9 for a 99% OEM quality one. As for the screen, it's always best to get the OEM one. Similar story with the battery, unless you want to save money, in which case, I'd recommend going with a reputable brand on amazon for the $25 price range. Overall, the self repair support that companies offer are ass. Just do 5 minutes of research on components and you'd save a fortune, especially if you're a business.

[@JDC8397]

I need to replace the screen on my s10+. What does a screen cost? The glass isnt busted only thing is lcd is blacked out

[@QWERTYQwertz852]

@@JDC8397probably Not Worth it. That s10 is old as fuck

[@JDC8397]

@@QWERTYQwertz852 I'm aware of the age. It's a ceramic rose gold edition.

[@Superzesh101]

​@@QWERTYQwertz852quality phone! I'm still using it. My kids lost my iPhone 14 pro and I've had to use the S10. Apart from the camera, I'm pretty happy and don't miss the iPhone at all! 😂

[@bigman8994]

Anyone that’s done any work repairing electronics knows how bad these are. Even just refurbishing some gameboys in my spare time is enough to see how bad Samsung and Apple are handing these programs.

[@Dogboy91]

as someone who has worked at a Samsung repair center and a 3rd party repair shop, we like the full assembly as there's less of a risk to damaging the OLED screen, it also tends to make the overall repair a whole lot easier and ends in less warranty work since we don't have to worry about a tech not using enough/too much adhesive for the screen. im not here to sing the songs of Samsung but i will say that it was a selling point in my old shops to tell the user that their device was going to not only look like new but they would have a new battery as well. back glass, id get that from a parts distro or eBay and it will be fine.

[@DeenaMilkers]

if you have a broken display (or any piece of broken glass you need work around), apply packing tape to it. it keeps all the little shards in place and covers all the sharp edges

[@watercannonscollaboration2281]

In other phones (basically not an iPhone since Apple serialized all their batteries now) it kind of makes sense to replace the battery anyways since it’s kind of like doing spark plugs and coils on a Toyota 2GR FE. You’re there, might as well do the other stuff Also at the start, Android doesn’t report battery “life” like iOS does, that 89% is the charge level

[@IncognitoSahil]

Android will show battery health in A15, but samsung might not.

[@ThatIceChampion]

The only thing you loose with a 3rd party iPhone battery replacement is battery health monitoring, which a lot of Android phones don’t have anyways

[@bigman8994]

It makes sense still to replace it on an iPhone. For me my iPhone batteries usually last around 4-5 years before they drain too fast, but it still have a few years of updates left. A new battery is gonna be a lot cheaper than a new phone at that point. Its no different than getting it repaired on any other phone either, just that the shop has to be Apple certified, which we can all agree is stupid

[@ThatIceChampion]

@@bigman8994 yeah

[@evelynsahoe8896]

is the 2GR FE the V6 they mounted transversally so the front 3 plugs and coils are a 10 minute job but the back half takes hours just to see the coil pack 🤣🤣🤣

[@Domniak]

3:03 Actually, it is just telling you how much your battery is charged, kind if irritating

[@shahidmirza1138]

😂, I went straight to settings to check, thinking android added the option to check battery status.

[@Domniak]

@@shahidmirza1138 nah, only for root people as far as i know, only with some weird apps

[@IHaveBadWiFiBro]

@@shahidmirza1138 me too on my s9+ lmao

[@saishowaguu2]

In Japan, we don't have to deal with this. You can sign up for phone provider insurance. You pay $5 a month, and then if anything happens with your phone, battery, screen, water damage, whatever (as long as it's not just cosmetic damage)...you pay $30 and they will replace your phone with a brand new phone (1st time charge). The charge increases slightly each time you replace it (and the base charge for foldable phones is a bit higher). When you get the new phone you have 2 weeks to transfer your data, and send back the old broken phone.

[@Dogboy91]

We have it too in the states, it usually runs anywhere between $5 - $25 USD depending on what major provider you have but if you are buying your phone without monthly payments some companies wont let you insure the phone or its too expensive since you have to pay for it up front (my case, i would have had to pay about $250 USD to insure my phone for two years give or take).

[@MC-emmcee]

Erm... is this not called "insurance"? Also, it does not really matter whether it is a contract (pay monthly) phone or you own the phone outright, cover can be found cheaply nearly everywhere these days.

[@saishowaguu2]

@@MC-emmcee Good that insurance is available more in the States. Are there any limits or specific terms? Is it done via the provider?

[@Retronyx]

Remember what Japan did with Unit 731

[@ej_tech]

3:15 Even Samsung Authorized repair locations are required to also replace the battery because Samsugn ships us the display with the battery already adhered to it.

[@novelezra]

Louis Rossman is watching this, trying not to scream

[@kylemulkey9659]

I was thinking the exact same thing

[@bear2507]

That guy is a tool. Complains about Apple yet made a bunch a money with the repairs.

[@novelezra]

@@bear2507 Yeah he complains about a massive company fighting right to repair and the rights of consumers - what a tool am I right? (Sarcasm)

[@CH-bn7qb]

@@bear2507so because he made money of it he isn’t allowed to complain or stand up for consumers ? Kinda strange take tbh

[@ej_tech]

Have you seen Louis react to Jayztwocents "solder" something on a graphics card? He doesn't just scream, he hisses like a cat.

[@Skylake013]

cant believe 2019 was already 1 year ago!

[@urukadooedwards7637]

Ha ha!! You were damaged and were in a Coma!

[@Lgwasherfan5623]

It's, 2024, July 5th, 2024

[@IceYetiWins]

​@@Lgwasherfan5623found the time traveler

[@JayPlvg]

The irony in saying "i dont have alot of time" but then saying. "Im gonna tell you everything i can", is ironic. Tell me everything Austin. Please.

[@randommantosaftey]

As a ubreakifix employee and partner with Samsung. S23-s24 series come with just screen repair but for the longest time Samsung ran with full OCTA repairs which is the full frame and battery and stuff. Is same for all Samsung repair shops

[@Xmtsiyrgm]

Fr them prices were insane for a fat minute till they introduced the battery pull tabs to remove em😂

[@Silvuhh]

I looked up a single video about the zflip 5 like a week ago after getting one and I've watched maybe 20 of your videos since. Quality stuff 👍

[@koushuu]

So TLDR: It's simple to repair, but the whole thing is mainly for regulatory reason. As long as they don't lock repair behind stupid and bullshit codes and verification and whatever, I'd rather go with Samsung than the fruit company.

[@bebopman5]

@@webdumpsterApple did lock certain parts to the logic board, so even with genuine parts, if you didn’t have the elusive device to reprogram them, they wouldn’t work to their fullest extent or at all. I only know because I used to repair iPhones, and it was a very annoying quirk.

[@haruyanto8085]

The software lock is to prevent use of stolen devices, unlike apple, samsung has no security to prevent your device from being used once they remove all the data, apple completely bricks the stolen devices hence the theives will have to settle for selling the parts, but if the parts are software locked then... you guessed it criminals will have less incentive to steal an iphone, it does make self repair more difficult but in 99% sure most users would prefer not being robbed as opposed to not being able to self repair, apple is already planning on making their batteries swappable in the future thanks to EU.

[@sterlonb.digital777]

You can tell Austin was extremely proud of himself for repairing this phone. Congratulations sir! You smart lol

[@TheAlphaWoomy]

I use to work for Batteries Plus we did phone repair for both Apple and Samsung phones. We would get parts from Samsung with the batteries installed as well, the reason was the customer experience. It was just better for the customer to know that when they were paying for an expensive screen repair the battery was also being replaced as it’s the easiest part to wear down. Also the cost of the batteries were so cheap so it wasn’t a huge deal for Samsung.

[@user-hn4ur7qh2r]

It’s incredible to see such kindness and love. Thank you all!

[@vineeygamer]

I once tried to repair my phone. Opened up ~80 screws and ended up tightening ~45 screws. 😂 True story.

[@HCoRE8]

The music during the reassembly is awesome.

[@SteveODonnell]

I noticed that with my Samsung Z fold 4 last year. The fold hinge failed and took it to a Samsung store for warranty repair. What i ended up with was a brand new chassis, new battery, new screens. All that remains was the main board and cameras. My data was still there but i had a new IMEI and all the protective coverings all round the chassis.

[@b3stianaga]

The hinge is attached to the frame of the phone so if the hinge gets damaged on a flip or a fold you basically get the screen repaired because the screen, the frame, and hinge are all together

[@SteveODonnell]

@b3stianaga yeah I pieced all that together after I got it back. As they never told me. I only noticed it was a new IMEI after I was checking the phone over.

[@BladeScraper]

if you got a new IMEI, you got a new board. Every Main PBA has its own IMEI. You can write the old IMEI to a new one (this is the preferred in-warranty process), but if you have a new IMEI, your board is 100% not the same as the one you went to the store with.

[@SteveODonnell]

@BladeScraper all my data was still on it though, my wallpaper biometrics, apps etc were all as they were when I gave them my phone.

[@BladeScraper]

​@@SteveODonnell Weird af. It's been a couple years since I worked at a Samsung repair center, maybe they came up with a way to transfer all data and without losing biometrics and stuff. Back when I worked there the best we could do was Smart Switch, which would transfer most data but not all and not biometrics.

[@nancyjones6235]

Back in the days of the iPhone 3G, I did screen and digitizer replacements. Having done several of these replacements, spending the money on an Otter Box was an easily-justifiable cost. I found it really stressful dealing with those ribbon cables, so I quit doing it. If I wasn't ready to replace the device, I'd so much rather get it repaired -- by someone else. Your demo was great, these phones have gotten a lot more complex as the manufacturers have added more functionality to them. When you mentioned sending in a "perfectly good battery," I gotta say that when most people get a new phone, they're a lot more careful with it than they are a year or so later, and at that point, it's probably not a "perfectly good battery" anymore. But doesn't a "right-to-repair" mean that a lot more independent repair techs should be available? I'd pay for that.

[@joesatchton212]

Ya forgot to mention: TAKE PICTURES of everything BEFORE you unscrew anything. You'll thank me for sure.

[@purwarfare]

Use to work for a 3rd party UBIF and we had to replace both battery and screen on all Samsung devices.

[@randallbro6749]

Apple surprisingly got better with phone repair than Samsung. What a wild timeline we live in...

[@scientia-potentia]

Austin, if you need a tech savvy person that is good at repairing stuff, I am happy to join the team.

[@N_0_I_Z_E]

Reason why they shipped them together is because the batteries on the older Samsung phones are held in with permanent adhesive and pulling on the battery could shift the layers and cause a short and causing the battery to explode

[@chrones56]

They haven't convinced me yet that repairing my phone myself is a good alternative to sending it in for repair. It's good that I have the option, though.

[@haruyanto8085]

Only pro is that it's maybe cheaper. You do run the risk of damaging the device which would cost more or less than official repairs depending on how badly you damaged it

[@rubencamps6689]

As a experienced repair technician for forensic purposes, I can assure that the screen and battery aren't one part as they just connected with a ribbon cable :p

[@nervenjere]

*#0*# for the test menu on every samsung phone Sensor->Image test shows the same dog since the s1 ;)

[@SWOhioSpeedtesting]

I’ve replace Samsung backs from off brand ones on Amazon for like $20. And they got the logo. Might not have a good seal for water. But it stays on

[@PurpleKnightmare]

That price you showed for worth is for a used phone. Fixing your phone, with new battery, makes it like new again, and you don't have to set it up, it is already all setup. So that saves a bunch of time, hours even. Time is money too.

[@slimshady5938]

3:04 it's not the battery lifecycle health 😂

[@MrGateKing]

At work this takes me maybe 20 minutes. It's interesting to see how other people do it. Also those prices are crazy. From our wholesale, we can order genuine Samsung Service backing for about a few dollars. The screen module cost the same though.

[@kntwing23]

how do u know what parts to repair on a older phones?

[@scientia-potentia]

The battery level is not the same thing as battery health. Basically, you told us the charge level of your phone's battery 😂

[@grumpywolfgaming]

came here to say that.

[@koldrid]

The tools used by Apple are literally the same tools used in the Retail Stores. I would assume it’s just a cost savings thing so they don’t have to create a different set of tools used in self repair.

[@NoJusticeNoPeace]

Why are you not wearing a grounding strap?

[@haruyanto8085]

After years of working with tec, Austin has developed electric immunity, it happens.

[@brentgilmore3281]

Great Video Austin!!!!!!!🎉

[@infineon20]

Austin, awesome as always!

[@mmikolajg]

if your gonna revisit apple self repair program please try aftermarket parts to see if they really work like they should. ide be really interested to see that

[@midnightshad96]

I had to have the back glass and camera lenses replace on my note 20 ultra 5 times and my screen once. Had I purchased the repair kit it would have saved me money. However I acknowledge that is an extreme case

[@fajarsudarsono4226]

S21 had Polycarbonate Backdoor, S21+ and Ultra had Glass Backdoor

[@danielgartin-oh9ik]

Is that implemented now in the Apple self service repair program because my iPhone SE needs a battery replacement it’s a second generation iPhone SE with a battery health of 79%. I’m hesitant to do the repair myself because I don’t want to trigger any errors.

[@penguinnoscatto4088]

my s10e is basically a Frankenstein phone now and still my daily driver even though i have other stronger phone, fixing just feels so good

[@iamdan6851]

In my opinion, sending it to company own repair service is much better. Since you can get back your phone the same day, and considering not all people have the skill to repair on their own. Yes, the cost is not cheap but it's guaranteed to be fix

[@turbot_]

That meal kit comment was so relevant to my life right now.

[@kntwing23]

never let austin FIX your broken phone..

[@mirfidanadeem7]

Actually, I myself was going to self repair an old samsung phone. Hopefully it goes well.

[@mistermacgray]

My question...does all of your user data get saved or is it a fresh start when you replace the phone screen?

[@gruexylo]

On the topic of Z Flips, my Z Flip 4 lasted the last 14 months. It failed a little under 2 weeks ago, came back with a note of Repaired/Replaced Battery (Main/Sub) Motherboard It then failed less than 12 hours after being returned to me, so it's due for its second warranty repair and will be going back in in two days time. I would dare to try repairing myself if they fail a second time, if it weren't for the fact I have no idea what might be wrong with it

[@christophers8542]

Do a full frame swap on an iPhone and see how difficult it will be with all the small bracket and different size screws

[@Imabassplayer2]

Big companies will make it hard to repair because they want you just to get a new phone. But we all remember in the 2000 phones like the Nokia 3310 was bulletproof easily repaired. Now everything has a million screws and glued down with the strongest glue know to man. I know phones are now not phones but computers, still they should be repairable because most front and back are glass these days. Also bring back the headphone jack.

[@Xcile92-PX]

samsung doesnt have any repair centers in the uk as far as i know and that sucks.

[@fortyfukinseven]

I really wish my opinion of "incredibly broken" was the same as yours. Thats a perfectly usable phone.

[@rickyjr.nomura9235]

Just as a FYI, it's generally not a good idea to connect the battery before connecting all the other components as it might fry those components.

[@deRykcihC]

im waiting till the day where replacing third party apple parts wont lose the core features to actually replace my broken digitizer SE

[@Graylord88]

As someone who has sold Samsung phones in retail, the reason we were given by representatives of why you often have to repair or replace practically all of the phone at once was that you would get a renewed warranty of the phone with the parts. This means that they want you to pay for and replace other parts that are also prone to failure over time, such as the battery, instead of having the same unit shipped in multiple times, and forever extending the same warranty over and over. The fact that they can market this warranty and at the same time filter out cases that wouldn't be worth it, also doesn't hurt.

[@XLessThanZ]

Considering the module and back cover were brand new, the price you paid sounds really good. That almost sounds like a better way to get a good quality phone rather than buying it from eBay.

[@rogeliocano9536]

How is that a good deal? A brand new phone is $269 only a few more bucks.

[@DimitarGospodinov]

The worst part about replacing just the screen is trying to glue it to the frame properly. It's much better to do it with the frame aspecially if you have ding on the frame. The battery you can separate with some IPA and replace it alone if you need to. OEM back is never a good idea.

[@dpm1504]

That 89% battery charge is just the current charge, not overall battery health

[@ravencorb1354]

Think if you buy and own the tools, any repairs in the future would be cheaper as you wouldn't need to re-buy the tools each time. This would make it a lot more affordable for future repairs

[@dylanwhite6539]

Samsung has been doing that frame+screen+battery approach since the s8

[@pixelgaming7261]

4:18 The back of the vanilla Galaxy S21 is made of plastic, not glass.

[@shApYT]

According to MKBHD it is better to make "durable" products than let you repair it.

[@michaelvandelden563]

MKBHD is a sell out lol

[@Clyde-3195]

The biggest problem with Samsung repairability is cost of the displays. If you have a slightly older phone that still works very well, but you break the screen, 90% of the time repair is just not worth it. I used to have a Galaxy S10 that I bought second hand for 600PLN in mint condition back in December 2022. I broke the screen last month and the original display costs around 700... and by that point a working S10 was worth like 400-450 maybe? And yes, there are third party replacements available, but replacing a curved amoled with an aftermarket screen is a very bad idea. And even the third party screens are mad expensive.

[@boburanus69]

@3:15 This is incorrect, Anyone with a partnership with Samsung is getting replacement screen parts that have batteries already attached. Unless it's a panel-only (screen adhered to frame) repair, the frame itself comes with the LCD, some small parts (usually have to swap over camera, mid frame, boards, cables, and back housing) but the battery will come adhered to a new LCD assembly (frame). This is true of folding phones as well. Other companies, such as Ubreakifix also have to replace a battery at the time of a screen, or vice versa. Because they are 3rd party independent, they will still offer battery only repairs and utilize other 3rd party supplied parts in their repairs, but they also aren't following Samsung's rules to a T. I can offer some insight if you'd like to reach out. Also, I would love to collab with you on how to correctly open any device. I have seen so many bad takes on device opening. Please reach out before you do any more videos. Let someone with industry experience set the record straight.

[@CamohFN]

Ain't no way we're on the Z flip 6 already

[@MaxxJagX]

I think it might just come down to man power more than anything. Taking the screen off looks to be more annoying that them just giving you the pre-assembled unit

[@poweredbyford87]

Not the authentic barn find microwave! 🤣🤣🤣

[@Robot-X9X]

Samsung Galaxy can be found on the official website of the company and on its upcoming release in whatever country and place you want it then you should get it

[@NinjAsylum]

"Equally as useful" Thats a damn lie. That microwave is 1000x more useful lol.

[@turbot_]

The battery tattle thing kinda makes sense. Remember when airlines completely banned the Note? It's probably just carry over from that whole drama.

[@scottydc]

austin man the battery level is the charge of the battery, android doesnt show battery life span

[@houstongigs]

Now try to see if they can fix one of their fridges 😅 that's been fun for customers for years, so they got sued. Also, shout out to Hurricane Beryl for not letting me sleep...

[@jasonbaker5430]

I have had good luck with ifixit batteries and I have never needed Apple’s tools to get the phones apart.

[@greendro6410]

Nice to know

[@bootinnj]

ok please do a pt 2 of apple and find out which phones are available to repair without havintg to register the parts i have an 11 pro max i love did a screen repair and now its useable but noticeably different

[@KingKabi]

15:12 If Apple actually do that, I'll be way way surprised. They'll most likely have some funny way of preventing self repairs.

[@johnakos23]

when i had to fix my note 10 plus because the adhesive was failing they told me that the display and battery come together. don't think this is just an ifixit issue.

[@abdullahbinshahid3199]

Hey austin, do something like this with a google pixel phone.

[@opetyr]

The parts cost probably less than 20 bucks. The reason for the high price is high cause they don't want you to repair your phone. This is a PR saying that the isn't a train for right to repair laws because they have this already. Also don't praise apple cause try and replace a screen and you are paying for pretty much a new laptop since you cannot get the screen but di much else. Also they have screwed third party repair since they cannot get a 5 dollar part from apple but 500 dollar assemblies.

[@Zafiria]

3:03 the battery level is the actual charge of the battery, android does not show the battery health

[@bryannichelson2]

Just think, at some point in recent history that little motherboard probably took up much of an entire room 😳

[@dctaken]

13:32 Never seen a Dell that shape before, I kind of want to buy one but don't know the model.

[@SuperBOBglitchy4]

Dell Optiplex full tower from 2004 to 2007

[@VictoriaRedRaven]

Not the same device but I've done the custom shells on the Nintendo switch for both mine and my sisters. Hers is just some cute colors mine looks like the original nes I did the controllers too but not the middle bit because I didn't wanna work with ribbons yet one day I'll do it

[@mitchcm]

As a phone repair business owner, buy a service pack, screen and frame already attached. Open up the back and move the hardware over.

[@paulob2331]

$29 screen fix for my S22 ultra with insurance. I can't go wrong with that 🤷🏽‍♂️

[@phr3dmcc0y]

Dear Austin. Buy an identical phone and swap the logic board, keeping other parts as spares.

[@j.lietka9406]

I heard you made an appearance at the new Microcenter! Thank you

[@j.lietka9406]

@Te_Legram_AustinEvansYt sure pal! 🤣😂

[@jeffreyfricke2304]

It's actually better to send it because that way you know its being done right and you get the water resistant back i also don't know why you would want a 3rd party part

[@Stone45781]

My S21 Ultra just got a green line on the display without any damage

[@ThisPhoenixFire]

Fixing a phone is easy and I miss that job

[@mrmuffles3143]

At 3:04 Austin says battery level is at 89% . I believe with Samsung it's not battery health like on the iPhone but your actual charge level so if your phone is at 25% battery level will be 25% ..

[@9684yami]

Hear me out. What if manufacturers start selling replacement parts at the same time they launch the product. That way, if someone want to, they can buy a replacement battery, screen and whatnot then keep it until the day it need to be replaced. If the owner don't need the part anymore, they can always resell them

[@mrblack9411]

Do more phone repair vids …seriously do it Austin 😂

[@Abdeadpool916]

Activate suck pause conversation then that sound was horrendous😂

[@joethompson79]

Does anyone sell replacement speakers for s21? My bottom speaker stopped working a few months ago.

[@Dogboy91]

eBay is the best bet for those or check out your local cellphone repair shops. most that have been in the area for awhile are there because they do good work and usually take care of their customers.

[@Mihnea729]

Yeah !

[@LiloBecks]

Great Video Austin ☂️👍🏻📱