Speakers and Sensors Come Together

A single data connector joins the loudspeaker, earpiece speaker and sensor bank into one unit inside the Nexus S. "This is definitely a win for integration," iFixit notes, "but at the same time forces users to replace the entire unit if only one component malfunctions."

Repairs are Fairly Easy

To get beyond the battery in the Nexus S, you need a Phillips #00 screwdriver for most components, a plastic separating tool to remove the SIM card slot and eventually a heat gun to remove the display. Most of the parts are modular, and there aren't any bizarre screws like you'd find in Apple's MacBook Air. On the downside, the Super AMOLED display is fused to the glass, so you'll have to replace both if the screen cracks.

Carrier Independent? Not Necessarily