Before we start exploring the world of smartphone maintenance, it's crucial to have a solid understanding of the basic components of a smartphone. Understanding the physical structure of a smartphone is the first step in understanding how it works and, consequently, how to repair it.
1. External structure
On the surface, a smartphone may look like a monolithic block, but it is made up of multiple external parts. The most visible part is the body of the phone, usually made of plastic, metal or glass. The body protects the internal components and also provides the aesthetic design of the phone.
On the front of the phone, we find the display, which is the main user interface with the device. Smartphone displays are usually made of tempered glass for strength and are touch sensitive. Some phones also have front buttons, although many now opt for on-screen buttons.
At the bottom we find the charging jack and, in some cases, the headphone jack. The top part usually contains the speaker and the front camera. The sides of the phone contain volume and power buttons.
2. Internal structure
When opening a smartphone, we are presented with a variety of internal components. At the heart of it all is the motherboard, which is the heart of the phone. This is where all components are connected and where all operations are controlled.
The processor, RAM, and internal memory are all located on the motherboard. The processor is the brain of the phone, controlling all operations. RAM memory is used to store temporary data while internal memory is used to store operating system, applications and user data.
The motherboard also contains several other components, such as the modem, which enables cellular communication, the Wi-Fi and Bluetooth chip for wireless communication, and various sensors, such as the accelerometer and gyroscope.
>The battery is another crucial component. It supplies power to the phone and is usually one of the biggest parts of the phone. The battery is often one of the first things you need to remove when taking a phone apart.
3. Cameras and speakers
Cameras are an important part of any smartphone. Most phones have at least two cameras: one on the front for selfies and video calls, and one on the back for photos and videos. Some cameras also have additional features like flash and image stabilization.
Speakers allow your phone to play sound. Most phones have at least two speakers: one for calls and one for media playback. Some phones have stereo speakers for a better audio experience.
Understanding the physical structure of a smartphone is the first step in learning how to repair it. Each component has a role to play, and by understanding those roles, we can begin to understand how smartphones work and how we can fix them.
