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Sony Xperia Z3 Screen Assembly Replacement

Introduction

Use this guide to replace the screen assembly of the Sony Xperia Z3.

This guide shows how to replace the whole screen assembly of the Sony Xperia Z3 including the midframe. All components such as the vibration motor, the cameras, and the earpiece speaker need to be transferred to the replacement part during the repair process. In case you want to replace the LCD & Digitizer without the frame you need to follow this guide.

What you need

  1. Sony Xperia Z3 Screen Assembly Replacement, Back Cover: step 1, image 1 of 3 Sony Xperia Z3 Screen Assembly Replacement, Back Cover: step 1, image 2 of 3 Sony Xperia Z3 Screen Assembly Replacement, Back Cover: step 1, image 3 of 3

    • Heat the back cover of your Xperia Z3 to loosen the adhesive underneath.

    • If you use an iOpener, follow these instructions for use.

    • Lift up the back cover with a suction handle and put an opening pick in the gap.

    • Move the pick carefully around the edges to loosen the adhesive on every side of the phone.

    • Don't put the pick in too deep under the back cover to not damage any parts inside the phone.

    Edit

  2. Sony Xperia Z3 Screen Assembly Replacement: step 2, image 1 of 2 Sony Xperia Z3 Screen Assembly Replacement: step 2, image 2 of 2
    Tool used on this step:
    Tweezers
    $4.99
    Buy

    • There are two adhesive strips in the center of the phone connecting the rear case to the battery, you'll need to remove them to open the phone.

    • When the edges of the cover are free from adhesive, tilt it to allow access to the battery tabs.

    • Use tweezers to pull the two black adhesive strips out of the phone but don't pull just yet.

    Edit

  3. Sony Xperia Z3 Screen Assembly Replacement: step 3, image 1 of 2 Sony Xperia Z3 Screen Assembly Replacement: step 3, image 2 of 2
    Tool used on this step:
    Plastic Cards
    $2.99
    Buy

    • Gently pull out both of the adhesive tabs out of the phone, parallel to the rear cover.

    • If the adhesive tabs break, try to use a thin flat plastic tool such as a plastic card to remove the last of the adhesive. If the adhesive is stubborn, heat it with an iOpener or hair dryer and pry again.

    Edit

  4. Sony Xperia Z3 Screen Assembly Replacement: step 4, image 1 of 2 Sony Xperia Z3 Screen Assembly Replacement: step 4, image 2 of 2

    • After pulling out the adhesive tabs, you can lift the back cover and remove it.

    Edit

  5. Sony Xperia Z3 Screen Assembly Replacement, Battery: step 5, image 1 of 2 Sony Xperia Z3 Screen Assembly Replacement, Battery: step 5, image 2 of 2

    • Unplug the battery flex connector.

    • Use a tweezer to gently pull off the adhesive strip on the bottom part of the battery.

    Edit

  6. Sony Xperia Z3 Screen Assembly Replacement: step 6, image 1 of 2 Sony Xperia Z3 Screen Assembly Replacement: step 6, image 2 of 2

    • Use a spudger on the left side of the frame to lever out the battery.

    • Be careful with the spudger - there are cables beneath the battery!

    • Remove the battery.

    Edit

  7. Sony Xperia Z3 Screen Assembly Replacement, Display Prereq: step 7, image 1 of 1

    • Unscrew the two Phillips #00 screws.

    Edit

  8. Sony Xperia Z3 Screen Assembly Replacement: step 8, image 1 of 3 Sony Xperia Z3 Screen Assembly Replacement: step 8, image 2 of 3 Sony Xperia Z3 Screen Assembly Replacement: step 8, image 3 of 3

    • Unplug the antenna cable with a tweezer.

    • Use a Spudger to unplug the main flex connector and the flex connector of the vibration motor.

    Edit

  9. Sony Xperia Z3 Screen Assembly Replacement: step 9, image 1 of 3 Sony Xperia Z3 Screen Assembly Replacement: step 9, image 2 of 3 Sony Xperia Z3 Screen Assembly Replacement: step 9, image 3 of 3

    • Remove the cover on top of the loudspeaker assembly.

    • Use a spudger to pull out the vibration motor and remove its rubber gasket with a tweezer.

    Edit

  10. Sony Xperia Z3 Screen Assembly Replacement: step 10, image 1 of 3 Sony Xperia Z3 Screen Assembly Replacement: step 10, image 2 of 3 Sony Xperia Z3 Screen Assembly Replacement: step 10, image 3 of 3

    • Use a tweezer to remove the adhesive strip of the loudspeaker assembly.

    • Pull up the metal clamp at the upper end of the loudspeaker assembly by using a tweezer and remove it.

    Edit

  11. Sony Xperia Z3 Screen Assembly Replacement: step 11, image 1 of 3 Sony Xperia Z3 Screen Assembly Replacement: step 11, image 2 of 3 Sony Xperia Z3 Screen Assembly Replacement: step 11, image 3 of 3

    • Lift up the main flex cable covering the loudspeaker assembly with a Spudger

    • Take care to not damage the loudspeaker. The flex cable is attached to the assembly with adhesive and is a little bit sticky.

    • Lift up the whole loudspeaker assembly with a spudger and remove it.

    Edit

  12. Sony Xperia Z3 Screen Assembly Replacement: step 12, image 1 of 2 Sony Xperia Z3 Screen Assembly Replacement: step 12, image 2 of 2

    • Use a spudger to lift up the end of the main flex.

    • Remove the bronze foil covering the connector of the main flex with a tweezer.

    Edit

  13. Sony Xperia Z3 Screen Assembly Replacement: step 13, image 1 of 3 Sony Xperia Z3 Screen Assembly Replacement: step 13, image 2 of 3 Sony Xperia Z3 Screen Assembly Replacement: step 13, image 3 of 3

    • Lift up the metal plate which is placed beneath the loudspeaker assembly and remove it.

    • Unplug the main flex cable.

    • Use a tweezer to remove the yellow adhesive foil covering the display flex cable.

    Edit

  14. Sony Xperia Z3 Screen Assembly Replacement, Screen Assembly: step 14, image 1 of 1

    • Remove the three Phillips #00 screws (3 mm length).

    Edit

  15. Sony Xperia Z3 Screen Assembly Replacement: step 15, image 1 of 2 Sony Xperia Z3 Screen Assembly Replacement: step 15, image 2 of 2
    Tool used on this step:
    Tweezers
    $4.99
    Buy

    • Use a pair of tweezers to peel the blue foil off the motherboard.

    Edit

  17. Sony Xperia Z3 Screen Assembly Replacement: step 16, image 1 of 2 Sony Xperia Z3 Screen Assembly Replacement: step 16, image 2 of 2

    • Use a pair of tweezers to remove the black plastic bracket below the camera in the top left corner of the phone.

    Edit

  18. Sony Xperia Z3 Screen Assembly Replacement: step 17, image 1 of 2 Sony Xperia Z3 Screen Assembly Replacement: step 17, image 2 of 2

    • Use a pair of tweezers to remove the black plastic cover from the right edge of the motherboard.

    Edit

  19. Sony Xperia Z3 Screen Assembly Replacement: step 18, image 1 of 2 Sony Xperia Z3 Screen Assembly Replacement: step 18, image 2 of 2

    • Use a spudger to pry up and disconnect the magnetic charging flex cable

    Edit

  20. Sony Xperia Z3 Screen Assembly Replacement: step 19, image 1 of 2 Sony Xperia Z3 Screen Assembly Replacement: step 19, image 2 of 2

    • Use a spudger to pry up and disconnect the main flex cable.

    Edit

  21. Sony Xperia Z3 Screen Assembly Replacement: step 20, image 1 of 2 Sony Xperia Z3 Screen Assembly Replacement: step 20, image 2 of 2

    • Use a spudger to pry up and disconnect the rear camera flex cable.

    Edit

  22. Sony Xperia Z3 Screen Assembly Replacement: step 21, image 1 of 2 Sony Xperia Z3 Screen Assembly Replacement: step 21, image 2 of 2

    • Use a pair of tweezers to lift the rear camera out of its recess and remove it.

    Edit

  23. Sony Xperia Z3 Screen Assembly Replacement: step 22, image 1 of 3 Sony Xperia Z3 Screen Assembly Replacement: step 22, image 2 of 3 Sony Xperia Z3 Screen Assembly Replacement: step 22, image 3 of 3

    • Use a spudger to pry up the plastic cover at the top edge of the motherboard and remove it with a pair of tweezers.

    Edit

  24. Sony Xperia Z3 Screen Assembly Replacement: step 23, image 1 of 2 Sony Xperia Z3 Screen Assembly Replacement: step 23, image 2 of 2

    • Use a spudger to pry up and disconnect the headphone jack and microphone flex cable in the top right corner.

    Edit

  25. Sony Xperia Z3 Screen Assembly Replacement: step 24, image 1 of 2 Sony Xperia Z3 Screen Assembly Replacement: step 24, image 2 of 2

    • Use a pair of tweezers to carefully pry up and disconnect the antenna cable at the bottom right of the motherboard.

    Edit

  26. Sony Xperia Z3 Screen Assembly Replacement: step 25, image 1 of 2 Sony Xperia Z3 Screen Assembly Replacement: step 25, image 2 of 2

    • Insert the flat end of a spudger into the gap between the midframe and the left edge of the motherboard.

    • Avoid to damage surrounding flex cables and components during the motherboard removal.

    • Use the spudger to carefully lever up the motherboard until you can get a good grip.

    Edit

  27. Sony Xperia Z3 Screen Assembly Replacement: step 26, image 1 of 2 Sony Xperia Z3 Screen Assembly Replacement: step 26, image 2 of 2

    • Remove the motherboard.

    Edit

  28. Sony Xperia Z3 Screen Assembly Replacement: step 27, image 1 of 2 Sony Xperia Z3 Screen Assembly Replacement: step 27, image 2 of 2

    • Use a pair of tweezers to remove the black plastic spacer next to the earpiece speaker.

    Edit

  29. Sony Xperia Z3 Screen Assembly Replacement: step 28, image 1 of 2 Sony Xperia Z3 Screen Assembly Replacement: step 28, image 2 of 2

    • Use a pair of tweezers to remove the earpiece speaker by carefully prying it out from its left where the spacer was before.

    Edit

  30. Sony Xperia Z3 Screen Assembly Replacement: step 29, image 1 of 2 Sony Xperia Z3 Screen Assembly Replacement: step 29, image 2 of 2

    • Use a pair of tweezers to pry up and remove the white plastic piece next to the headphone jack.

    Edit

  31. Sony Xperia Z3 Screen Assembly Replacement: step 30, image 1 of 1

    • Apply a heated iOpener to the upper end of the screen to loosen the adhesive beneath the headphone jack. Apply the iOpener for at least two minutes.

    Edit

  32. Sony Xperia Z3 Screen Assembly Replacement: step 31, image 1 of 2 Sony Xperia Z3 Screen Assembly Replacement: step 31, image 2 of 2

    • Use a pair of tweezers to pry up the black plastic cover on top of the headphone jack.

    Edit

  33. Sony Xperia Z3 Screen Assembly Replacement: step 32, image 1 of 3 Sony Xperia Z3 Screen Assembly Replacement: step 32, image 2 of 3 Sony Xperia Z3 Screen Assembly Replacement: step 32, image 3 of 3

    • Use a pair of tweezers to pull the headphone jack out of its recess and remove it.

    • The adhesive that holds the headphone jack in place is a bit sticky. In case you can't manage to remove the headphone jack insert a spudger into the jack to help levering it out or apply some more heat to further soften the adhesive.

    Edit

  34. Sony Xperia Z3 Screen Assembly Replacement: step 33, image 1 of 3 Sony Xperia Z3 Screen Assembly Replacement: step 33, image 2 of 3 Sony Xperia Z3 Screen Assembly Replacement: step 33, image 3 of 3

    • Use a pair of tweezers to pry the blue antenna cable out of the brackets on the edge of the phone and remove it.

    Edit

  35. Sony Xperia Z3 Screen Assembly Replacement: step 34, image 1 of 2 Sony Xperia Z3 Screen Assembly Replacement: step 34, image 2 of 2

    • Use a spudger to pry up and disconnect the main flex cable from the display flex connector located at the bottom of the phone.

    Edit

  36. Sony Xperia Z3 Screen Assembly Replacement: step 35, image 1 of 3 Sony Xperia Z3 Screen Assembly Replacement: step 35, image 2 of 3 Sony Xperia Z3 Screen Assembly Replacement: step 35, image 3 of 3

    • Use one arm of a pair of tweezers to pry the topmost gray plastic cover out of its recess on the left edge of the midframe.

    • Remove the plastic cover.

    Edit

  37. Sony Xperia Z3 Screen Assembly Replacement: step 36, image 1 of 3 Sony Xperia Z3 Screen Assembly Replacement: step 36, image 2 of 3 Sony Xperia Z3 Screen Assembly Replacement: step 36, image 3 of 3

    • Use the same procedure to loosen the gray plastic cover below the previous one.

    • Do not remove the cover—it is adhered to the flex cable. Avoid damaging the main flex cable during the following process.

    • Carefully pull up the the cover until it is freed and not blocked by the midframe.

    Edit

  38. Sony Xperia Z3 Screen Assembly Replacement: step 37, image 1 of 3 Sony Xperia Z3 Screen Assembly Replacement: step 37, image 2 of 3 Sony Xperia Z3 Screen Assembly Replacement: step 37, image 3 of 3

    • Use a pair of tweezers and carefully pry the top left part of the main flex cable away from the midframe.

    Edit

  39. Sony Xperia Z3 Screen Assembly Replacement: step 38, image 1 of 1

    • Flip the phone over and apply a heated iOpener to the right side of the screen to loosen the adhesive beneath the main flex cable. Apply the iOpener for at least two minutes.

    Edit

  40. Sony Xperia Z3 Screen Assembly Replacement: step 39, image 1 of 3 Sony Xperia Z3 Screen Assembly Replacement: step 39, image 2 of 3 Sony Xperia Z3 Screen Assembly Replacement: step 39, image 3 of 3

    • Flip the phone back over and use a pair of tweezers to carefully peel the main flex cable off the midframe.

    • Remove the main flex cable.

    Edit

  41. Sony Xperia Z3 Screen Assembly Replacement: step 40, image 1 of 2 Sony Xperia Z3 Screen Assembly Replacement: step 40, image 2 of 2

    • On the right edge of the phone use a pair of tweezers to pry the magnetic charging cable out of its recess.

    Edit

  42. Sony Xperia Z3 Screen Assembly Replacement: step 41, image 1 of 1

    • Apply a heated iOpener to the left side of the screen to loosen the adhesive beneath the magnetic charging cable. Apply the iOpener for at least two minutes.

    Edit

  43. Sony Xperia Z3 Screen Assembly Replacement: step 42, image 1 of 3 Sony Xperia Z3 Screen Assembly Replacement: step 42, image 2 of 3 Sony Xperia Z3 Screen Assembly Replacement: step 42, image 3 of 3

    • Carefully peel the magnetic charging cable off the midframe and remove it.

    Edit

  44. Sony Xperia Z3 Screen Assembly Replacement: step 43, image 1 of 1

    • Compare your new replacement part to the original—you may need to transfer remaining components such as the protective foil in the earpiece speaker recess or remove adhesive backings from the new part before installing.

    Edit
Conclusion

To reassemble your device, follow these instructions in reverse order. Apply new adhesive where it’s necessary.

Repair didn’t go as planned? Try some basic troubleshooting, or ask our Answers Community for help.

4 other people completed this guide.

Author

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Dominik Schnabelrauch

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One Comment

Thanks, this helped a lot!

Aidan Martin - Reply

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