Xperia Z3 - Replacing the frameless screen

1. The back of the Sony Xperia Z3’s enclosure is glued firmly in place. To detach it, you have to constantly heat it with a heat gun so the glue will soften. Then you have to insert a plastic pick into the gap between the frame and the glass to detach the adhesive.
2. The gap between the aluminum frame and the glass is very small. We recommend that you use a very flat, sturdy object to get between them.
3. Carefully lift the back cover while using a suction cup.
4. As soon as a little gap opens up, use the plastic pick to avoid damaging the aluminum.

1. You should only insert the pick a few millimeters between the back cover and the frame to prevent damage inside the enclosure.
   The back cover is painted on the inside. Remove any adhesive residue carefully to avoid scratches or cracks.
2. The back cover is glued to the entire outer edge of the Sony Xperia Z3. Move the pick once around the entire phone. There are also two removable adhesive strips attached to the battery. You can’t pull them off until you lift the top.
3. Once you’ve detached all the glue, you can carefully lift the back cover.

1. Place the pointed tip of the spudger very slightly below the contact and lift it up. Make sure you don’t break off the resistors that are soldered onto the logic board.
2. Now slowly lift up the battery. It’s only lightly glued in place.
3. Then remove it.

Now disconnect the connectors of the vibration motor, logic board connection and antenna cable from the sub-board.

1. First remove the transparent protective film over the vibration motor’s connector. Place the pointed tip of the spudger very slightly below the contact and lift it up.
2. Now disconnect the sub-board from the logic board.
3. Then you still have to disconnect the antenna connection cable.

1. You have to remove the black plastic cover before you can take out the sub-board. It’s screwed on and clamped between the frame and the board.
2. Remove the two Phillips screws.
   2 x 3.3 mm Phillips screws
3. Lift one side slightly so you can grasp the cover with your fingers.
4. Pull the cover off little by little with your fingers until you can remove it entirely.

1. You have to take off the silver cover before you can remove the speaker’s contact area.
2. It’s slightly clamped in place by the contact area. Detach it using the pointed tip of the laboratory spatula and pull it off to one side.
3. The contact area is also glued to the plastic frame around the speaker. Using the pointed tip of the spatula, carefully detach the strip that’s glued on.
4. Once the contact area is detached, fold it to the side.

1. The sub-board, including the speaker, which is embedded in a plastic frame, is securely clamped in place.
2. Use the ESD spudger to lift it on one side, and then carefully push it in from the other side. This usually takes several attempts.
3. Now lift it out.

1. You have to take off the copper foil before you can remove the speaker.
2. Now insert the spatula or spudger below the microphone and fold it to one side.
3. Remove the silver protective cover.

1. Now disconnect the display cable. Insert the flat end of the spudger very slightly below the contact and lift it up. Make sure you don’t break off the resistors that are soldered on.
2. Now remove the transparent protective film.
3. Then lift the display’s connector board, which is glued firmly to the frame, by placing the flat end of the laboratory spatula below the connector board and carefully lifting it up. Use different positions.
4. Tilt the board up as soon as it’s fully detached from the frame. It fits through the gap in the frame better this way.

1. The Sony Xperia Z3’s display is glued firmly in place. To detach it, you have to constantly heat it with a heat gun so the glue will soften. Then you have to insert a plastic pick into the gap between the frame and the display to detach the adhesive.
2. Use the suction cup to pull on the display at the same time. While taking it off, make sure you lead the display’s connector board through the opening in the frame.
3. Remove any old pieces of glass from the frame.

1. Before you attach the new display, you have to clean the contact surfaces on the frame.
2. Once they’re clean, you can put on the new adhesive film.
3. Make sure the speaker is fitted in the correct position.
4. Now guide the new display’s connector board through the gap in the frame, put the display on and press it onto the frame for a while.

1. Now fold the connector board back over so it sticks securely to the frame.
2. Put the transparent protective film back on at the level of the antenna cable.

1. Put the silver protective cover back on the display connector board.
2. Connect the speaker display cable again and stick the copper foil back on.

1. Put the sub-board back where it was originally.

1. Fold the contact area so it’s flush with the top of the speaker again.
2. Install the silver cover.

1. Put the black plastic cover back on and press it all the way into the frame.
2. Now screw it in place again.
   2 x 3.3 mm Phillips screws

1. Now connect the connectors of the antenna cable, logic board connection and vibration motor to the sub-board.
2. Now stick the transparent protective film back on the vibration motor’s connector.

1. Put the battery in and connect the connector.

1. As a last step, you have to attach the back cover again.
2. The old glue is usually still sticky enough.
3. Put the back cover back on, heat it slightly and then use a little force to press it onto the smartphone for a while.