Why does the camera glass break and when should it be changed?
The camera glass on the Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 Pro is one of the most vulnerable parts of the smartphone. Even when used carefully, it can crack from falling on asphalt, hitting a hard surface or pressurizing your pocket (for example, if the phone is lying with the keys). Unlike the screen security glass, which can be taped, damaged camera glass cannot be ignored.
First, cracks scatter light, making the photos cloudy, glare and distort. Second, the fragments can damage the lens or get inside the module, which will lead to a break in the camera. Third, chips on the glass often become hotbeds of corrosion, moisture and dust penetrate the seals, oxidizing the contacts.
Change the camera glass on the Redmi Note 9 Pro is worth three times:
- π Visible cracks or chips that worsen the quality of photos / videos.
- π§ Condensate or dust has accumulated under the glass (seen in bright light).
- πΈ The camera stopped focusing, there were artifacts in the pictures.
If the damage is minimal (small scratches), you can do with polishing, but in deep cracks, replacement is inevitable. In the service center, you will get from 1,500 to 3,000 rubles for this work, but with the tools and patience you can cope on your own.
What tools will be needed to replace
To replace the camera glass on the Redmi Note 9 Pro requires a minimum set of tools, but you should not save on quality - cheap plastic blades can break in the process or scratch the body.
| Tool. | Appointment | Where to buy | Approximate price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Plastic mediators (2-3 units) | Shaking glass and disconnecting the adhesive layer | AliExpress, "Chip and Deep" | 50β150 β½ |
| Fryer-dryer | Heating the glue for safe removal of glass | Any electronics store | 1,000 β½ |
| Suction cups (1-2 pcs) | Locking glass when removed | Phone repair kits | 100β200 β½ |
| Double-sided Scotch or B-7000 glue | Fixing the new glass | AliExpress, "Leroy Merlin" | 200β400 β½ |
| Alcohol napkins | Cleaning the surface from glue and dust | Pharmacy | 50β100 β½ |
Tweezers to remove shrapnel and a magnifying glass (or magnifying glass) are also useful to control the process. If you're doing a repair for the first time, buy a spare glass - they often break when installed. Original glass for Redmi Note 9 Pro cost from 300 to 800 rubles, but you can find cheap analogues (from 150) β½), But the quality is worse.
β οΈ Warning: Do not use metal blades or knives - they will scratch the body of the phone and can damage the camera plumes.Plastic mediators should be thin (0.1-0.2 mm) and flexible.
Preparation of the phone: what to do before disassembly
Before you start replacing the glass, be sure to prepare the phone:
Turn off the phone and remove it. SIM-memory-card
Make a backup copy of the data (photos, contacts, messages)
Charge the battery at least 50%
Remove the cover and protective film (if any)
Prepare a clean, well-lit workplace-->
If the battery is less than 30% dead, connect the phone to charge for 10-15 minutes, which is necessary to avoid emergency shutdown during disassembly - some Xiaomi models can turn on when you press buttons even when you turn off.
We also recommend taking photos of the initial state of the camera (take pictures from different angles).
- π Install the new glass in place.
- π Compare the quality of photos before and after replacement.
- π οΈ Prove to the seller that the defect was originally (if the glass is defective).
β οΈ Warning: If the phone has been in water or has been exposed to extreme humidity, don't disassemble it immediately.Let it dry for 24 to 48 hours, otherwise condensation under the glass will lead to corrosion of the camera contacts.
Step-by-step: how to remove old glass
The most important step is to carefully remove broken glass, and the main thing is not to rush and make unnecessary efforts.
Step 1: Heat the glue layer
Turn the dryer on at minimum power (or set the temperature of the thermal air station at 60-80Β°C) and evenly warm the area around the chamber for 2-3 minutes. This will soften the glue and make it easier to remove. Don't direct hot air directly to the glass - it can crack!
Step 2: Breaking glass
Stick the suction cup to the center of the glass (if it's whole) or to the largest fragment. Pull it up carefully while putting the edge on with a plastic mediator. If the glass is cracked, start with the least damaged corner.
What to do if the glass splits into small pieces?
Step 3: Removal of glue residue
Once the glass is removed, the camera module will have a glue layer, remove it with an alcohol napkin or isopropyl alcohol (at least 90%). Do not use acetone or solvents, they will damage plastic parts! If the glue does not go away, gently slap it with a wooden stick.
Step 4. Checking the camera
Before you install the new glass, turn on your phone and check the camera. Take some test shots in good light. If you see blurry spots, glare or distortion, you've damaged your lens or plume when you remove the glass, and you'll need to replace the entire camera module.
π‘
If the glue holds the glass too much, do not try to tear it by force - warm up the area for another 1-2 minutes. Excessive force can tear the camera plume from the motherboard!
Installation of new glass: nuances and errors
Now, we're going to install a new glass, and it's about fine-tuning and even-gluing, or it's going to sit crooked or it's going to fall off very quickly.
Step 1. Surface preparation
Clean the installation site of dust and glue residues. Rub the surface with a lilac-free napkin soaked in alcohol. If there are small particles left, use tape, glue it and rip it off sharply.
Step 2. Applying glue
If you use double-sided tape, cut a piece into the shape of glass (you can circle the old glass on paper and cut the pattern). For liquid glue (B-7000), apply a thin layer along the edge of the camera module without going to the lens. Avoid excess glue - it can leak in and stain the lenses.
Step 3: Installation of glass
Carefully place the glass in place, aligning it with the grooves of the body. Press evenly around the perimeter (you can use a plastic card wrapped in cloth). Avoid heavy pressure - the glass can crack!
Step 4: Fixing and drying
If you use B-7000 glue, leave your phone alone for 12-24 hours (the glue is completely polymerized in a day). If you use tape, 1-2 hours are enough, do not turn on the phone and do not expose it to vibrations (for example, do not put it next to a working washing machine).
β οΈ Warning: Some of the Redmi Note 9 Pro's glass has a protective film on either side -- remember to remove it before installation! If you leave the film, the photo quality will deteriorate and the glass will be cloudy.
Checking the operability and calibration of the camera
After installing the new glass, make sure the camera is working correctly.
- π Are there any gaps between the glass and the body?
- π The glass is installed smoothly, without distortions?
- π‘ Under the glass, you can't see any air bubbles or excess glue?
Then turn on the phone and test the camera:
- Open the Camera app and take photos in different modes (Photo, Portrait, Night).
- Check autofocus β point the camera at the object and wait for clarity.
- Take a video and listen to if there are any extraneous noises (creaking, cod).
- Turn on Macro mode (if any) and check the detail close.
If the photo appeared blurred circles, glare or rainbow spots, it means:
- π The glass is set curved or not completely glued.
- π§΄ The glass was hit by glue or dust.
- πΈ Lens damaged (requires a replacement camera module).
In the first two cases, you can glue the glass, and if you're in the lens, you can go to the service center, and you can't repair it yourself.
π‘
If the camera stops focusing after the glass is replaced, check if the module has shifted during disassembly. Sometimes it is enough to push it slightly from the back side (through the battery) to return to its original position.
Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
Even with care, beginners often make mistakes that lead to a re-repair or failure of the camera, and here are the most common:
| Mistake. | Effects of consequences | How to avoid |
|---|---|---|
| Too much heat by a hair dryer | Melting plastic case, damage to plumes | Keep the hair dryer at a distance of 5-10 cm, the temperature is not higher than 80 Β° C. |
| Use of metal tools | Scratches on the body, damage to camera contacts | Work only with plastic or wooden mediators |
| Incomplete removal of old glue | The new glass is holding badly, quickly falls off | Clean the surface with alcohol and tape to perfect cleanliness |
| Excess glue during installation | The glue gets on the lens, the quality of the photo deteriorates | Apply the glue in a thin layer, only on the edges of the glass |
| Uneven pressure during adhesion | The glass cracks or lies crooked | Press the glass through the soft fabric, starting from the center |
Another common problem is that you get dust under the glass during installation, and to avoid this, work in a clean, well-lit room, and if you do get dust, gently tuck the glass in and blow the camera module with a rubber pear (not your mouth!).
If the camera is getting worse at night after the glass is replaced, check to see if the glass is covered by an infrared sensor (located next to the main camera), and some of the non-original glass is irregularly shaped and overlaps it.