Sony Xperia Z5 Compact front camera repair guide

The front-facing camera isn’t working.

In this guide, we show you how to replace your Xperia Z5 Compact’s defective front camera on your own. You need this repair if the front camera isn’t working, your pictures are blurry, or the camera doesn’t focus.

Required tools

Heat gun

Heat gun

You can use a heat gun to heat parts that are glued on so they’re easier to remove. In most cases, you can also use a hairdryer.
from €15.99 on Amazon
For storing screws

For storing screws

We recommend storing your screws so you don’t mix up the various screws and small parts.
from €10.99 on Amazon
Menda ESD Spudger

Menda ESD Spudger

You need a flat plastic prying tool to disconnect the various plugs and connectors.
from €26.38 on Amazon
Pick Set

Pick Set

You need a flat but stable tool such as a pick to pry out parts that are glued in place.
from €14.99 on Amazon
Steel Laboratory Spatula

Steel Laboratory Spatula

You need a flat and sturdy prying tool to disconnect glued parts.
on Amazon
Phillips PH00 screwdriver

Phillips PH00 screwdriver

You need the right screwdriver for removing PH00 screws.
from €10.84 on Amazon

Required replacement part

Sony Xperia Z5 Compact Frontcamera

Sony Xperia Z5 Compact Frontcamera

from €15.95 on Amazon

Show all replacement parts for the Xperia Z5 Compact

Steps

16 Steps

Removing the SIM and microSD cards

Step 1

Removing the back cover

Step 2

Removing the type plate

Step 3

Removing the NFC antenna

Step 4

Removing the main antenna

Step 5

Removing the chassis

Step 6

Disconnecting the battery

Step 7

Removing the front camera

Step 8

Installing the front camera

Step 9

Connecting the battery

Step 10

Installing the chassis

Step 11

Installing the main antenna

Step 12

Installing the NFC antenna

Step 13

Installing the type plate

Step 14

Attaching the back cover

Step 15

Inserting the SIM and microSD cards

Step 16

Getting started with the repair of your Xperia Z5 Compact

If you get stuck or have questions, you can post a comment. We’d be happy to help.

16 steps

Removing the SIM and microSD cards
Use your finger or the spudger to open the cover at the lower end of the smartphone. You can turn the cover 90° to access the card slot better.

Remove the SIM and microSD cards. The SIM card is in a tray.
Removing the back cover
The back cover is glued to the chassis. Heat the back cover with a heat gun to soften the glue.

Attach a suction cup to the lower end of the device and pull on it while pressing down the chassis with a plastic pick.

As soon as a gap appears between the chassis and back cover, insert the pick into it.
The back cover is painted on the inside. Remove any adhesive residue carefully to avoid scratches or cracks.

Move the pick once around the entire device to completely detach the glue. If you have more than one pick, you can insert one at each corner.

Take off the back cover.
Removing the type plate
Remove the type plate. The type plate is installed in the SIM and microSD card slot.
Removing the NFC antenna
Disconnect the NFC antenna’s plug contact from the chassis.

Disconnect the antenna from the battery. The antenna is glued to the battery. Carefully insert the steel laboratory spatula between the antenna and the battery. Heat the NFC antenna a little if the glue’s too strong.

Remove the NFC antenna.
Removing the main antenna
Unscrew the two Phillips screws holding the main antenna in place.
2 x 4.5 mm Phillips screws

Remove the main antenna from the device.
Removing the chassis
Using the steel laboratory spatula, carefully detach the LED flash from the chassis. The flash is glued to the chassis.

Remove the eight Phillips screws that attach the chassis to the display.
8 x 4.5 mm Phillips screws

The chassis is hooked onto the display. Use the steel spatula to detach the chassis from the display. Insert the spatula between the chassis and the display.

Remove the chassis.
Disconnecting the battery
Disconnect the battery contact from the logic board.
Removing the front camera
Disconnect the front camera’s contact from the logic board.

Remove the front camera from the enclosure.

Installing the front camera
Put the front camera in the enclosure.

Connect the front camera to the logic board.
Connecting the battery
Connect the battery contact to the logic board.
Installing the chassis
Position the chassis on the display.

Press the chassis a little so it clicks into place on the display frame.

Use the eight Phillips screws to attach the chassis to the display.
8 x 4.5 mm Phillips screws

Attach the LED flash to the chassis.
Installing the main antenna
Position the main antenna in the enclosure.

Attach the main antenna to the device with the two Phillips screws.
2 x 4.5 mm Phillips screws
Installing the NFC antenna
Position the NFC antenna on the battery. Press the antenna onto the battery so the glue will stick again.

Connect the NFC antenna’s plug contact to the chassis.
Installing the type plate
Install the type plate. You have to attach the type plate in the SIM and microSD card slot.
Attaching the back cover
Position the back cover on the chassis. Press it on firmly along all the edges so the chassis and back cover are securely glued together.

If necessary, heat the back of the device so it will stick better. It helps to clamp the device so there’s constant pressure on the back cover.
Inserting the SIM and microSD cards
If the cover is closed again, use your finger or the spudger to open it. You can turn the cover 90° to access the card slot better.

Put the SIM and microSD cards back in. Put the SIM card in the tray.