Disassembly Xiaomi Redmi Note 3: instructions with photos and repair tips

The Xiaomi Redmi Note 3, released in 2016, is still popular with users thanks to its robust metal body and upgrade capabilities. However, over time, even this “unkillable” smartphone may need repairs: battery replacement, cleaning connectors or motherboard diagnostics. The Redmi Note 3 has its nuances, from non-standard screws to fragile plumes that can easily be damaged if handled carelessly.

In this article, you'll find a step-by-step photo instruction, a list of tools you need, and a list of common mistakes that beginners make. We'll also compare the process of disassembling the standard version with the Redmi Note 3 Pro, which have key design differences. If you're planning to replace a screen, battery, or speaker, there's everything you can do to do it safely and cost-effectively.

Preparation for disassembly: tools and precautions

Before you start disassembling, make sure you have everything you need. The Redmi Note 3 is not a repair-friendly device: it has a body that is not only screwed, but also glue-linked, and some parts (such as the fingerprint scanner plume) are extremely fragile.

• 🔧 Screwdriver kit: cross-haired (PH00), five-pointed (Pentalobe) P2) and flat (for the liding of the lid).
• 🧲 Magnetic mat or screw container – they are easy to lose, and in Redmi Note 3 they are of different lengths.
• 🔥 Dryer or thermo-air station (to soften the glue under the back cover).
• 📱 Plastic mediators (2-3 Pcs.) – metal tools can scratch the body.
• 🔋 Multimeter (optional, to check the battery or charging contacts).

Pay special attention to power outages, and even if the smartphone is off, the capacitors on the motherboard can keep the charge, so that you don't short circuit.

⚠️ Warning: When you remove the back cover, first of all, unplug the battery by pulling the black connector on the board. Don't touch the gold contacts of the board with your bare hands - static electricity can knock it out.

Removal of the back cover: the fight against glue and screws

The Redmi Note 3's back cover is mounted on 12 screws and double-sided tape. The Pro model has two extra screws near the camera that are easy to miss.

1. Turn off your smartphone and remove the tray for SIM-map.
2. Heat the hair dryer of the edge of the cover (temperature ~60°C) for 2-3 minutes to soften the glue.
3. Carefully tuck the lid with a plastic mediator, starting at the bottom edge (near the USB-Type C connector).
4. Swipe the mediator around the perimeter, separating the lid from the housing. Do not force - if the lid does not respond, warm up again.

A common mistake is to try to remove the lid without warming up, and this causes the fingerprint scanner plume to burst, which runs from the power button to the motherboard, so if the plume breaks, the button stops working, and fingerprint unlocking becomes impossible.

Disconnection of the battery and work with the motherboard

When you take the lid off, you'll see the battery glued to the body. The Redmi Note 3 uses a 4,050 mAh lithium polymer battery (4,000 mAh in the Pro version), which eventually swells up, to extract it:

1. Disconnect the battery connector from the motherboard (the black connector next to the lower edge of the board).
2. Put a plastic blade on the battery, starting at the top, and if it's swelling, don't prick it, it could cause a fire.
3. To stick the new battery, use 3M 9448A double-sided tape (0.2 mm thick).

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If the battery is swelling but the smartphone is still working, take a picture of the battery settings in the Settings → Battery menu to help diagnose problems after replacement.

The Redmi Note 3 motherboard is fixed to 8 screws and one metal screen.

• 📱 Disconnect all the plumes: screen, camera, speaker, vibrator.
• 🔌 Take a picture of the location of the screws – they are of different lengths, and mixing them up means the risk of damaging the fee.
• 🔍 Check USB-Type C contacts for oxidation (a common cause of charging problems).

Screen replacement: difficulties with glue and plumes

The Redmi Note 3 screen is one of the most vulnerable, and its replacement is complicated by the fact that the display is glued to the touchscreen and the plume runs under a metal frame. If the screen crashes but the image is there, the problem may be:

• 🖥️ Cracked glass (requires a replacement of the module entirely).
• 🔌 A severed plume (often during falls).
• 🎨 Damaged backlight (screen glows dimly or with spots).

To replace the screen:

1. Warm up the display edge with a hair dryer (temperature ~70°C).
2. Subdue the screen with a plastic spatula, starting from the lower right corner (there are fewer plumes).
3. Disconnect the display plume and touchscreen from the motherboard (they are marked in white and black).

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Don’t buy cheap Chinese screens for Redmi Note 3 – they often have color and touchscreen issues, with the original MB-N3-DISPLAY modules or certified counterparts from Tianma or BOE being the best option.

The cost of replacing the screen in the service center is 3-5 thousand rubles, but with self-repair you can meet 1.5-20 thousand (module price), the main thing is not to damage the plume of the fingerprint scanner, which runs along the right side of the case.

Repair of charging connector and dynamics

If the Redmi Note 3 is not charging or charging is jerky, the problem in 90% of cases lies in the USB-Type C connector.

1. Seal off the old connector with a soldering hairdryer (temperature ~350 ° C).
2. Clean the contact areas on the board with alcohol.
3. Sell the new connector, making sure that all 12 pins (including CC1 and CC2 for cable type determination) are in contact with the board.

The speaker in Redmi Note 3 is located at the bottom of the body and is mounted on two screws.

• 🔊 Check the integrity of the speaker membrane (often torn when falling).
• 🧲 Make sure there is no metal dust on the speaker magnet.
• 🔧 Replace the speaker with a new one (article) MB-N3-SPEAKER).

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Before soldering the charging connector, seal the adjacent components on the board with heat-resistant tape, which will save them from overheating.

Build a smartphone: checking and testing

After replacing the components, assemble the smartphone in reverse order, taking into account:

• 🔋 The battery should fit tightly to the body - gaps can lead to overheating.
• 📱 Screen and camera plumes should not be twisted.
• 🔌 All screws must be twisted with a force of 0.3-0.4 N·m (do not drag!).

Before final assembly:

1. Connect the battery and check if the smartphone is turned on.
2. Test the touchscreen, cameras, speaker and microphone.
3. Charge the device for 10-15 minutes to make sure the connector is working.

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If the phone overheats after assembly, check the heat paste on the processor. In Redmi Note 3, it often dries after 3-4 years of use. Replace it with an Arctic MX-4 or similar.

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Even experienced craftsmen sometimes make mistakes when disassembling the Redmi Note 3.

• 🔧 Tangled screws: screws of different lengths can damage the board. Store them in separate containers with signatures.
• 🔥 Overheating of the board when soldering. Use a soldering station with thermal control (maximum 380)°C).
• 📱 Damage to the fingerprint scanner plume. It comes from the power button -- don't pull the lid in this place.
• 🔋 Using a non-original battery, cheap ones can swell in 2-3 months.

If new problems have appeared after disassembly (for example, vibration does not work or the net does not catch), check:

• Integrity of antenna plumes (they go from the board to the upper part of the body).
• Connecting a vibrator motor (a small black cylinder next to the battery)
• Network settings in Settings → SIM-maps and mobile networks.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions