How and where to replace the battery on the tablet

There are various reasons why the tablet battery may need to be replaced. The primary reason is the decline in battery capacity, leading to a shorter continuous operating time between charges. Other reasons include:

• Inability to charge or excessively long charging times;
• Increased thickness or swelling;
• Compromised seal of the casing.

The decrease in capacity and extended charging times can be highly inconvenient when using the gadget. Consequently, the device becomes impractical to take on the go, or one must constantly carry a backup device (such as a PowerBank) for recharging purposes, which can be as heavy and costly as the tablet itself.

Figure 1: Genuine Samsung battery

Replacing the tablet battery at authorized service centers is a more affordable option. These establishments may also offer warranties for the installed components. However, there is a considerable risk of receiving counterfeit parts that are cheaper and have much lower performance compared to the original ones.

If you have the required tools and spare parts, you have the option to replace the battery yourself.

Which battery should be installed

There are several choices available when it comes to replacing your battery and the potential outcomes:

1. Opting for an authentic replacement that matches the original specifications. This is the ideal option, as it ensures your gadget will have the same performance as when you first bought it.
2. Using an authentic replacement with different specifications. If the manufacturer permits the use of alternative batteries, then this is a possibility. In such cases, a higher-capacity battery will extend the device’s battery life between charges. However, it is only advisable to install a lower-capacity battery if the necessary one is not available and the original has completely failed, as the device’s operating time will be shorter after replacement.
3. A replacement battery with identical specifications. Numerous manufacturers produce batteries for device repair, offering similar parameters at a more affordable price compared to the original ones. This alternative option is just as good as the original.

1. The battery shown in Figure 2 is not an original product. It is manufactured by an unknown company and may not meet the same quality standards as the original battery. In addition, there is no guarantee that the stated capacity of the battery is accurate.
2. If you choose to replace the original battery with this non-original option, be aware that it is more powerful than the original battery. It is difficult to determine whether the device’s charge controller is designed to handle the higher power. While it is possible that the device’s operating time will increase, there is a risk that the battery will not charge fully and may fail prematurely.
3. Installing a low-quality battery. This choice will not yield any positive results. Not only will it diminish the device’s battery life, but the built-in battery controller may also not be equipped to handle the high charging current produced by the device’s controller. Consequently, the battery case may expand, potentially leading to a fire.

Fixing a budget tablet does not necessitate significant financial or temporal investments and can be accomplished independently.

Replacement procedure

To provide a comprehensive guide on replacing batteries in all types of tablets within one article is simply unfeasible. However, the process of replacing batteries for most devices follows the same basic principle. Prior to beginning the task, gather the following tools:

• A collection of small-sized screwdrivers with various shapes;
• A plastic spatula designed for opening latches;
• Tweezers;
• Pliers;
• Double-sided tape;
• A small-sized, low-voltage soldering iron;
• Solder;
• Flux.

Figure 3: Set of tools for repairing devices of small size

The cases of tablets made by reputable manufacturers typically use self-tapping screws with a cross-shaped slot, although it is also possible to encounter a slot in the shape of a hexagon or star. Frequently, the casing is put together with clips, with self-tapping screws being employed to secure the battery.

Figure 4: Plastic repair tool

The steps to perform the repair are as outlined below:

1. Initiating the process by opening the case;
2. Removing the mounts that hold the battery;
3. Disconnecting the battery from the board;
4. Attaching and securing the replacement battery;
5. Putting the case back together.

Opening

The process of replacing the battery on your tablet begins by opening the case. Opening can be challenging if there are no self-tapping screws, as it may not be clear where the latches are located or in which direction they open. To assist with this, you can use a plastic spatula inserted into the case’s slit. Gently wiggling the spatula will help you determine the latch configuration. Gradually advancing the spatula along the slit will disconnect the cover from the case. Some tablets have a detachable display, with the board firmly attached to the case. In such cases, care should be taken to avoid applying excessive bending force to the screen to prevent damage.

If a spatula is not available, you can use a damaged plastic bank card, especially if you slightly sharpen one of its corners with a fine-grained file.

Removing the battery

In the case of branded devices, self-tapping screws are employed to secure the batteries, whereas double-sided tape is commonly used by most budget device manufacturers.

Prior to detaching the battery, it is crucial to delicately extract the cables using tweezers, as they may be affixed with specialized adhesive tape. It is important to avoid applying excessive force when manipulating the connectors.

Particular attention must be paid when the battery is adhered to the tablet display using Scotch tape.

Figure 6: Battery in an inexpensive tablet

The motherboard of the tablet is connected to the battery by means of two wires. High-end tablets typically use a small-sized connector, while cheaper ones have the wires directly soldered to the board.

If you are replacing the original battery with a simpler one that lacks a connector, you will need to carefully cut off the connector using wire cutters. Make sure to leave two or three centimeters of wire on the connector so that you can later solder the battery to it.

To detach the wires from the board, you will need a low-voltage soldering iron with a thin tip. Heat up the tip of the soldering iron and touch it to the soldering point of one of the wires to disconnect it. Be careful not to overheat the soldering iron, as excessive heat can damage the board’s circuits.

Connect the wires to the board using the same technique. Apply a small amount of flux to ensure that the solder spreads evenly over the surface of the components that need to be soldered. It is beneficial to use solder that already contains flux.

Be careful not to confuse the polarity of the connection! The positive wire is usually red or brown, while the negative wire is black or blue.

After soldering, carefully examine the board to ensure that there are no connections between the contact pads. Make sure to protect the wires that are soldered to the connector by using strips of insulating tape.

Figure 6 depicts the process of soldering wires.

Assembly

The reverse order is used for mounting the battery and assembling the case. It is imperative to ensure that the wires and cables inside the case are properly arranged, as there is limited space in small-sized devices and the case may not be able to close.

Switching on

Don’t be discouraged if the tablet doesn’t turn on right away after replacing the battery. The internal controller of the device is designed to prevent it from turning on when the battery is extremely depleted. Simply connect the tablet to the charger and after a while, it will start working again.

For some models, it may be necessary to calibrate the battery. You can find the service manual for your specific model online to learn how to do this.