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A DIY transparent glass back for your Galaxy S8

galaxy s8 clear back panel hero
© JerryRigEverything

The Samsung Galaxy S8 with its curved glass and the slim bezels around its display is a real eye-catcher, no doubt about that. But, you can make it even better - that is, if you're a fan of a more transparent look.  

For those of you old enough to remember, back in the day, the transparent Nintendo Gameboy was the most awesome thing to happen in the world of gaming. Now, it seems like the Galaxy S8 is following in Nintendo's footsteps - unofficially. Samsung itself doesn't offer a transparent S8, but with a little DIY and voided warranty, you can create your own. The vlogger JerryRigEverthing shows us how you can create a transparent back for the Galaxy S8, at the low, low cost of a few dollars for paint thinner.  

 

Once the back of the Galaxy S8 (or S8+) has been removed, you'll just need to remove a few of the components that have been glued to its back. Then the paint thinner does its magic. Applied liberally, the paint thinner strips the lacquer from the glass. At this point, you can strip the underlying film from the glass. After what amounts to about five minutes of work, you're left with a transparent glass back. Interestingly (and pleasantly) enough, the Samsung logo survives the whole process. 

When putting the phone back together, it's important not to forget to place the fingerprint sensor back in its original place. The cable is relatively short, so a special tool is needed to do this. When resealing the phone with adhesive, you'll have to be quick and make sure that its fits in one go - or else you'll have to remove the adhesive and try again. The downside of modifying your phone this way (and this shouldn't be a surprise) is that your Galaxy S8 won't be water and dust resistant anymore, at least not officially, and the warranty will be voided.

What do you think? Would you try this out? 

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  • Jerry's W. 20
    Jerry's W. Apr 30, 2017 Link to comment

    Again I read the article and responses...
    Stupid idea, dumb article wich should have been written in some noobmagazine but not in A.Pit . therefor bad ( read stupid) article wich is proven when reading the comments from people who have common sense.


  • 54
    Deactivated Account Apr 29, 2017 Link to comment

    He destroyed the back and his new choice was a transperent one, I don´t know why the heck all the news sides all over (in Germany too) the world are writing about this? And I am old enough the know the transparent Gameboy. For me the S8 looks very ugly with this transparent case. The S8 is very slippery, maybe I should call it the Galaxy Soap 8 :D and with the transparent case its the Galaxy Transsoap 8 :D :D

    Jerry's W.


  • Albin Foro 30
    Albin Foro Apr 29, 2017 Link to comment

    Apparently it's the only way for consumers to see the "no dogs" warning stamp on the non-removable battery, that tells you not to let Bowser chew on it. Personally, I like the choice to snap off the back to remove and replace batteries.


  • 26
    Andrew Burgin Apr 29, 2017 Link to comment

    Why do this to a phone that's not very strong,and any sensable person would put there phone in a case to cover the back to prevent it breaking or being a fingerprint magnet back cover,what would that person do if there back ended up being smashed and people just laughing at them for doing it


  • 6
    nick jones Apr 29, 2017 Link to comment

    i like this concept but inner part should have more colour wire to give it a good look.


  • 31
    Deactivated Account Apr 29, 2017 Link to comment

    I like a nice bit of DIY..
    and if this really improves the quality of your wellbeing.. go for it..


  • 9
    rick Apr 29, 2017 Link to comment

    wast of time. Just stupid really. 800-900 $$$ phone and thats what you do to it?!!

    Jerry's W.


    • Jerry's W. 20
      Jerry's W. Apr 29, 2017 Link to comment

      And no water or dust resistant any more. people who do this must have had incomplete brainchirurgy or something like that.
      A real real stupid useless article.


  • Shankar Prasad Nandi 18
    Shankar Prasad Nandi Apr 29, 2017 Link to comment

    I'd like to meet the person who spends a small fortune buying an S8 and then tries out this risky weird maneuver.

    Jerry's W.

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