Fine Oils: Broken Screen Repair: Samsung Epic 4G Touch

It's a nice phone out of the large family of Samsung Galaxy SIIs: Sprint Samsung Epic 4G Touch. I don't like CDMA phones though, plus Sprint has nothing to offer in my area. But it's a fine WiFi/VoIP device otherwise, and when repaired it can be offered for trade: with addition of my other SGSII, HTC Incredible, Samsung Galaxy S I'd be looking for LG Optimus G Pro, or Samsung Galaxy Note II.
However, its cracked LCD screen should be replaced first. I went the easiest way buying the whole LCD+cover glass assembly. The problem was that the cheapest such assembly was black, while the original screen has "marble white" adornment. Oh well. A new "white" one would cost me a hefty $149 which is quite ridiculous: a whole lightly used and working Epic 4G Touch goes for $149 these days.

Procedure that doesn't include operations with hair dryer is quite straightforward and simple. Several instructional videos are available. I mostly followed this one:

Snaps of my work process:

Opening starts with unclipping sides, then bottom. White tab in the centre of this photo must be carefully released (that is, not broken off). Top side must be pulled down with a spudger to release earphone metal socket.

Motherboard must be carefully inspected on signs of water damage. I was lucky with this phone: it was kept clean and dry except some inevitable dirt and muck around USB port. I did some writing on dealing with water damage, and my favorite method would be using ultrasound 99% isopropyl alcohol bath: battery can be left inside and a phone turned on, just to see the magic of ultrasound washing.

Now motherboard, rear camera and IMEI label are transplanted to the replacement screen. Screen goes into the phone case earphone port first, et voilà!

Epic 4G Touch that has been just repaired is on the right. Will seriously consider trade this pair for a used LG Optimus G Pro, can throw in HTC Incredible.

Epic can also go for your Nook HD+ in possible trades.

In any case, this surgery has also produced an original screen assembly which has a good cover glass:

Replacement screen came with vibration motor, earphone port, front cam and proximity/luminance assembly, and a mic pre-amp, so after replacing its LCD screen it will constitute a valid repair part worth no less than $30. ($25 if I decide to leave broken LCD screen inside):