OnePlus X Back Rear Panel Replacement

Written By: Natali Monge

Comments: 8

Difficulty

Moderate

Steps

Time Required

15 minutes

Introduction

As great as the OnePlus X is, it is not indestructible. If a heartbreaking (or glass-breaking) fall occurs, use this guide to remove the rear panel.

Tools

Step 1

Power off the phone by pressing the button on the right side of the phone, it will be the smaller button.
Press and hold the button down for a few seconds, until the option "Power Off" appears on the screen.
Select "Power Off" on the screen to turn off the phone.

Step 2

Insert a SIM card removal tool into the small hole located on the top right corner of the phone, just above the volume buttons.
If you do not have the original packaging or a SIM card removal tool, you may use a straightened out paperclip or something similar.
Push the removal tool into the hole and the tray should pop out.
Remove the SIM tray from the phone.

There is absolutely no reason to remove the sim tray, we're not removing the motherboard.

Dennis Meerveld - 30/11/16

You could at least save your SIM cards (and uSD card) some of the unnecessary heat treatment that way.

S K -

Step 3

Put on heat-resistant gloves and place the phone on a surface that will not catch fire or melt.
Using a heat gun, apply slow and even heat to the edges of the back panel.
DO NOT stay on one spot for too long, the heat gun can damage the phone if the heat is applied to the same area for a long period of time.
While heating the back panel, use a Jimmy to test if the adhesive is soft enough to allow the panel to separate from the device.
Carefully detach the back panel, using opening picks to hold the panel apart from the device.
Once most of the edges are separated from the device, attach a suction cup to the back panel.

Step 4

Press the suction cup to the back panel to secure it.
With the help of the suction cup, pull up on the panel to completely detach it from the device.
Use the suction cup to safely remove the panel from the device. As you work around the panel's edges, the lingering heat may cause the remaining adhesive to reattach the panel to the device, be sure to lift the back panel before the glue has time to set back.

It can't be stressed enough to do this very carefully. I did it very carefully, but not carefully enough. Cracked a corner. Also not just the edges, there's extra adhesive on the lower 2-3 cm's of the back.

Another remark, get in between the black bezel and the back cover, this is a bit unclear on the first picture. Same goes for the front, get in between the bezel and the front assembly.

Dennis Meerveld - 30/11/16

Most of the adhesive is on the top and bottom ends, yes.

I would recommend one to steer clear of the camera assembly though (the LED lens is plastic and melts) + the center (where the battery is, mine swelled a bit).

S K - 24/05/22