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Released in March 2023 Model Number A346

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GPS Not Working Anymore; Technician Broke Off Component from PCB

My device isn't an option on the device selection, so I picked the closest model I could.. My phone - (Samsung A35 [SM-A356U])

My question is, with the pictures provided, is this component vital to my phone's functionality? Should I have a more professional technician look at my phone for repair?

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I had my screen break, and a technician I took my phone to replaced the screen and introduced a few new issues to my phone. I presented my phone to him again in which he decided to do a live teardown in front of me to show me how "thorough" he was in putting my phone back together, and in the process broke a component off of my phone's motherboard. He tried playing it off saying that the piece I pointed out was probably from another phone he had worked on that was trash, however I demanded to take the piece with me and cross referenced it with schematics online.

I also have a new issue since the initial phone repair in which my phone's GPS is non-functional. This was not an issue even after I dropped my phone and my screen had broken. This was only an issue after the screen replacement was done. This was also an issue prior to the second teardown where the component had been broken off. Is there any chance that this could be related to the screen replacement? If not, what methods could I try to repair/re-instate my GPS functionality?

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@lightning496 this get's a little complicated. The component you've outlined is reference designator is U7006. Looks like you have access to the schematic. In there you will find that component U7006 is the ambient light sensor.

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Now, without the parts list, the Samsung schematics is not very helpful, since it does not identify the values of the components. From experience, I know that Samsung uses(d) the TCS37013SH175H for this. Those are listed as no longer available. You can try a TCS37013M from places like this as substitute. Here is the TCS3701 Datasheet

That component will not be responsible for your GPS functionality. You said you cross referenced the component. Did you actually check your board to make sure that this is the component.

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Wow! That explains why the phone will not adjust brightness automatically anymore. That solves the issue as to what component that was. I was able to verify that the component pictures was the one missing from my board, yes.

The schematic I had access to was a simple image I found when diving into google. I don't have access to the actual schematic.

That really confuses me as to why my GPS location has gone "kaput" then. It doesn't seem likely that a simple screen replacement could have caused such an issue. I'm at a loss.

I have decided to push the phone to a recycling center and get a cheap replacement for now, as the technician I took it to is demanding I replace my screen with my broken one in order for a partial refund. I would rather not put any more money in to a phone of this worth.

I appreciate your knowledgeable response @oldturkey03! Very informative.

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