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gs3 compatibility question

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cptb_cable

Lurker
I have a gs3 with nTelos and the model number is SCH-R530X (generic). It has a busted lcd and I've found some replacement parts reasonably priced online. I just need to know if any of these parts are compatible with my phone. I see numbers like i9300 and i747 or i710. Apparently every carrier has a different model. I don't want to pay $150 for a part, put it in a d then find out it doesn't work. Of course neither nTelos nor Samsung wanna help me with info cause I'm not paying them to fix it. The Samsung website has a page listing a lot of compatible models but I'm wondering if they're just referring to accessories for those models. Does anyone have any knowledge on tjis subject? My wife is in a hurry for me to get mine fixed so she can have hers back.
 
Hello and welcome cptb_cable!
Don't quote me on this but I think as far as just the screen, all models of S3 are the same. I could be mistaken but its my best edu-ma-cated guess ;)

It's the internal chips/radios/firmware etc that differ.
Granted I haven't done any research but based on just the looks of them, the case/battery/screen are the same.
Perhaps someone else can chime in here too:)


Let me find the take-apart guide for the S3 for ya....by ifixit, I believe....
Edit: perhaps this will help a little bit:
http://www.ifixit.com/Teardown/Samsung+Galaxy+S+III+Teardown/9391/1
 
I assumed they were all compatible too, but then I started seeing warnings on certain listings, particularly eBay, saying that a certain unit would only work on "Sprint" or only some other carrier. What I am looking to buy is an LCD/digitizer unit already installed in the frame housing so there is no separating glass or heating glue or any of the really tricky stuff. Just unscrew and swap parts from old to new. Keeping my board, my camera, my battery, my back, all my stuff. Just replacing the LCD/digitizer/screen and the frame they are already installed in.
 
Well, actually I can purchase a brand new OEM part which is the bezel/frame with the LCD/digitizer/glass already installed for around $140. With this part all I gotta do is swap parts. But mostly I find model numbers like i9300 or i747. I'm not seeing much SCH-r530/530x. Just need to find someone with knowledge as to whether these models are compatible and would work with my phone. But, yes, if I could find a used nTelos GS3 (SCH-R530X) for a great price that would work also.
 
Here's another listing with description:

1
Blue Samsung Galaxy S3 III I747 T999 I535 R530 LCD Digitizer Screen A | eBay
 
Thank you for those links. I had already seen the first one last night in my search and apparently i535 is compatible with R530. The thing I don't understand is that if you order the LCD already in the bezel that is when they really specify the importance of compatibility. Your second listing is for an LCD/digitizer without the frame/bezel and it shows compatibility between several models. The only thing I can figure is it is actually the bezel itself that may not match up if you get the wrong model. I do appreciate your help.
 
If you look at the back of the frame in the 1st ebay listing it has both 535 and 530 imprinted beneath where the sticker is under your battery. You should carefully peel up your sticker to see what's imprinted on yours.

Here is a shot of my old one that happens to only show the 535. When I bought it on ebay from a different seller I do not remember the 530 being one of the numbers so that may be what the difference is - some are compatible and some are not as long as the numbers appear together. You should contact the seller also because they should know about the compatibility. If you have the blue phone you'll have to ask if he carries that one too.

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/80226496/2013-10-25%2012.45.50.jpg

Originally I purchased the glass digitizer front plate only and tried to replace it but as careful as I was I cracked the LCD display. It is fragile as hell so my advice is not try replacing without the frame backplate.

I had my 18 year old daughter do the entire replacement while watching the youtube video. She had never done anything close to something like this. I just sat quiet and watched but never had to correct her. It's not hard to do and the entire assembly is the way to go. The frame comes with a few items already so you won't have to switch everything over from the original phone like the buttons or antenna.

Disassembly video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=endscreen&NR=1&v=eo93EF7rVIw
 
Thanks for the info. I am pretty mechanically and electronically savvy so I really think I could do the simple switch over with the bezel already in place. I can order one from Calif. for only $120. My wife on the other hand thinks I should take it to CPR because after the friend who tried to replace just the glass did exactly what you did and that is why I'm in the spot I'm in right now. I tried to explain to her that it doesn't involve any separating glass or anything real tricky.

Your story really encourages me to try it myself. My only real concern is getting one that doesn't work. The sellers I've looked at have about a 5-7% fail rate which are pretty standard mass production numbers.

Anyone else wanna throw me some encouragement, I'm almost persuaded!
 
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