+1 for the best review I have seen on this so far.

From memory, (did a teardown just recently,) the S8 Battery is significantly heavier than an S7 battery. It is quite a bit thinner however, so the added weight must be caused by the internals. I'm no expert on battery composition but I know for sure that S8 batteries are much more durable from a repairers point-of-view.

Correct! That alone makes for a significantly more repairable phone. Once you get an S8-series phone open, removing the daughterboard/charging port is totally straightforward.

Wow. Well, heres what I'd say. Your waterproofing is gone. Repairing it yourself is a no go because a replacement back is $100 and I could only find one seller on eBay. http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/100-OEM-Origin...

Best send it to Samsung, keeping your waterproofing and warranty.

GG MALL Have already selling the S8 back glass one month before the galaxy s8 release LOL

https://youtu.be/kwh0jCFy94g

Amazon offers oem replacement parts, in large selections. I was able to purchase a new back glass & new front glass (w tools and a roll of adhesive included) both for under $45. Roughly $20 per item.

I encounter the same issue less than two weeks of new S8 slipped out my hand with a low drop and craked along the side. Got insurance and replacement was for only $49.99 which I was told there was not a service provided here in las vegas. I was mad as heck !!! and got my refund insurance money back and cancel policy. I checked around town for replacement and was told it would cost over $150.00 for screen replacement which was crazy ridculous. As of today I still using my racked screen . Today I was told that I need a mircophone/speaker fixed and I hate to see the cost for that. These new slim S8, S9 and new cell looks great but easy to break and not worth the price for replacement.

the LCD is the same

Thanks Bogdan for your riveting reply. The glass isn't easy to remove on its own, but it is possible. It is much easier once you've gutted the phone, as you can bend and twist the frame ever-so-slightly to loosen the adhesive on the device without compromising the LCD. The phone definitely performs well, but its build quality might be a little bit underwhelming to anyone with an eye for that sort of stuff. For the average consumer, eh, who cares about a bit of lag?

i feel like shame on you for having a full glass phone and not having some kind of case from the get :( but the main reason that they make the rear panel glass is to enable easy wireless charging. A metal backing would not be able to freely wireless charge.

Yep the heatpipe is still around, you can see it in the second photo on step 7 under the motherboard, looked about the same as the S7 pipe to our eyes.

Hey Ralph!

I have noticed some S8 handsets do actually have concave rear panels. It is very very slight, barely noticeable to the naked eye. The only way I've tested it is with a small ball bearing. The bearing would always roll directly to the center of the rear panel. Because of this, the phone sometimes builds up an air cushion, making it slide like an air-hockey puck. A case for these phones is an absolute must! They are 95% made up of extremely fragile glass, probably intentionally. If Samsung refuses warranty, and offers service, do your best to decline, and check out a local third party repair store. Rather give local business a chance over Samsung!

Samething happened to me a few weeks of purchasing new S8 last year. I was told over $150.00 for replacement screen which is crazy. Today trouble shooting told me my speaker not working and I cannot imagine the cost. New design cells is easily to break and costly . After this contract done or if I decide to pay off ahead of time I’m going back to an older cell and doing prepay no contract or track phone. done with all cell provider which a big ripoff and lies.

@boosnie Hair dryer and patience will work fine. It takes quite a bit of heat to soften the glue securing the rear cover. Remember, this is a teardown, not a guide—the guides are over here. ;)