Samsung unveiled the Galaxy S22 series last month, but unlike in previous years, the premium Ultra model is a whole lot different than the entry-level variant. They are, of course, powered by the same chipsets and share a lot of internal components, but they're also fundamentally different in terms of design and other areas. After all, the Galaxy S22 Ultra is the first phone in the S series to fully adopt the S Pen through a dedicated, built-in holster. But regardless of their obvious differences, the Galaxy S22 and S22 Ultra are equally difficult to repair.
A recent teardown conducted by iFixit has given us a much closer look at the internal components of both the Galaxy S22 and S22 Ultra. Like in previous years, the new flagship phones use strong adhesive to keep the glass panels and battery in place. So, even though many internal components can be replaced using a simple screwdriver, getting to these components in the first place is an arduous and time-consuming process that poses a high risk of damaging the glass panels. Not to mention that the battery is glued in position and doesn't have pull tabs. Samsung sure is sticking to tradition.
Galaxy S22 and S22 Ultra get a repairability score of 3/10
So, then, with a repairability score of 3/10 issued by iFixit, the Galaxy S22 and S22 Ultra aren't the worst offenders, but they certainly aren't very friendly to DIY-ers either. You'll need a heat gun, prying tools, and suction cups to even attempt to safely disassemble these new phones. Even then, you might be unlucky and damage the glass panels.
As for the internal hardware, the teardown video below offers a closer look at the new cooling system used by the Galaxy S22 Ultra, as well as the upgraded haptic feedback engine, the camera modules — including the periscope-style lens — the S Pen holster from the inside, and more.
Check out these components in the video below and let us know your thoughts. And if you're more interested in the user experience rather than the hardware components that make the Galaxy S22 and S22 Ultra tick, feel free to check our hands-on videos and reviews below.
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