Chosen Solution
USB port replacement for Samsung SM-T350 (Tab A 8 inch) How difficult is it? Soldering required? Is it not a simple plug-in replacement? Looking at the part for sale on ebay it doesn’t appear to have a ribbon cable pre-attached, so I’m wondering if it’s not just a plug in and done repair. The Samsung S2 and others have charging assemblies that are replaced as a whole unit, so does the T350’s USB port have pin-style connectors or what? eBay: 3 x Micro USB Charging Port + Tools for Samsung Galaxy Tab A 8.0 SM-T350N There are other manuals and guides on here for the SM-T350 (headphone jack, battery, etc.) but none for the USB port so I’m thinking maybe its not as simple as those. If you’ve replaced the port on your Tab A8 I’d appreciate any info you could give on the procedure and any tips you may have learned while doing it. Thanks, Jason
Darla, I routinely do this when replacing ports, especially Samsung. Obviously it has to be done carefully, but I find that even brand-new ports are somewhat loose and can be tightened this way. It could be done without replacing the port. I remove the circuit board from the tab or phone, insert a micro USB cable (that is NOT attached to power!), and then carefully and gently use a pair of pliers to compress the port toward the board from both top and bottom. Then I check tightness and adjust accordingly. If your port is really loose, this may not help. You may need a replacement, which requires soldering under a microscope. But if it’s only somewhat loose, it may be enough, at least for a while. I am a phone/tablet technician who does microsoldering, and has replaced many Tab A ports.
I would strongly recommend replacing the charge port with the same type of charge port that was originally in the device, which I assume was micro USB. While the extra current provided by a USB C port shouldn’t be a problem (the device should only draw as much current as it needs), USB C chargers can also operate at more than five volts, and that is potentially a problem. A device designed to operate / charge at 5 volts, which a device with a micro USB port would be, should not be provided a higher voltage than that. Many eBay sellers, including me, sell new ports for a whole variety of Samsung devices for very affordable prices (I charge $2.99).. this would prevent you from having to desolder the port from an existing board, which is not a trivial procedure. Almost all of the USB ports that I sell are Samsung. I don’t know what it is about Samsung ports that makes them so much less stable than other brands, but they clearly are.
The part pulled out at 4:31 in this video is what you need Samsung Galaxy Tab A Disassembly Search for “SM-T350 USB Port Ribbon Cable” on Google since I don’t see it anywhere on Ebay.
I will be starting this project tonight. My tab A is paid for and been with me for a long time. The plastic inside the port broke first, I was lucky in all the pins stayed in place so I got a few more charges to play and get all my files backed up before two of the pins broke and now it’s no more then a paper waight. I didn’t buy anything off ebay and plan to just take the parts off another device. I’m also looking into if I can change it to a type C rather then oem type B. I’ll record it and post it on YouTube if it’s successful but will let you know my findings either way. I have replaced ports on other phones before and also am an active drone pilot so I do decent soldering and have a basic knowledge and experience level with chips and wires that this should not be impossible for me to do. I love my tabA and will take every precaution.
I tried something completely different. I have very amateur abilities with basic repair in computers, tablets. In searching for answers to charging issues, I did find the port on my Tab A was soldered. I looked over the port, and then the cables themselves. What I noticed on USB charging cables is sometimes they may be bent a little or a lot from constantly being plugged in and unplugged. After making sure dust and debris was removed from both port and micro end of the USB cable, I tried slightly squeezing the micro end “back into shape”, and it tightened up and charging was noticeably better, but not perfect. I am wondering if we can slightly squeeze the port back into shape as I did with the micro end. It would then be tightened up as well which may be what is needed. One of you may have a moment to try it and let me know. If it works, I can reopen my Tab A when I have time and try it myself. And, at that time, I can fix the rear camera issue that happened when I put the Tab back together. I obviously didn’t have the camera and cable placed correctly, and I now see a slight dark spot on my screen where the camera and cable are pressing on the glass..
Thank you, Bonnie. If I had just learned this recently, then many others may be also just learning. That’s why we are here :) . And now, thanks to you, I will be able to do the “tightening” properly. It may mean my/our problems can be solved simply. If not, at least we will know if in fact the port will need replaced. Thank you.
This is a little of subject but I have a Galaxy 8” either T290 or T295 with similar issues, Of course not covered by warranty, you seem to be able to purchase the whole PCB off e-bay but the rub is they either don’t say its micro-USB or they say its usb-C, Anybody know if you can simply use USB-C. I refuse to pay exorbitant repairs fees on a tablet barely 6 moths old perhaps Samsung should build a better product in the first place.
