OPPO Reno2 Z Teardown Guide – Exploring the Pop-Up Camera Design

The OPPO Reno2 Z was released during a time when smartphone manufacturers were experimenting with ways to achieve a true full-screen display. Instead of using a notch or punch-hole camera, OPPO equipped this device with a motorised pop-up selfie camera, giving the front of the phone a clean and uninterrupted look.

🧰 Tools You’ll Need

Polar Tech Magic Self-Heating Pad
Polar Tech Phone Repair Toolkit (Isopropyl alcohol ,Metal shim, Plastic pry card, Tweezers, Spudger, Precision screwdriver set)

🔧 Step 1: Heating and Removing the Back Cover

Begin by powering off the phone completely.

To soften the rear cover adhesive, heat the device for around 10 minutes using the PolarTech Magic Self-Heating Pad. Once the adhesive has softened, use a thin metal tool to carefully create an opening gap.

Apply a small amount of isopropyl alcohol around the edges to weaken the adhesive further. Work slowly and avoid using excessive force, as the back cover can crack if too much pressure is applied.

After opening a sufficient gap, insert a plastic pick and slide it around the perimeter to separate the adhesive completely.

With patience and careful technique, the back cover can be removed safely.

🔩 Step 2: Removing the Motherboard and Upper Components

With the rear cover removed, the internal layout becomes visible.

Remove all 21 screws securing the protective bracket and covers. Using a plastic pry tool, lift the motherboard bracket and disconnect the battery connector first.

Next, disconnect the display flex cable and other motherboard flex cables.

Moving to the upper section, remove the rear camera modules and locate the long retaining screw used to secure part of the motherboard assembly.

Don't forget to remove the SIM tray before lifting the board. Disconnect the front camera flex cable and coaxial cables, then carefully lift the motherboard out of the frame.

📸 Step 3: Disassembling the Pop-Up Camera Module

One of the most interesting parts of the Reno2 Z is its motorised front camera assembly.

The pop-up mechanism is secured by eight screws. Remove these screws and carefully access the module.

The electrical contacts are held in place with adhesive, so applying a small amount of alcohol will help loosen them without causing damage.

Once released, the front camera can be removed from the lift mechanism.

This assembly highlights the engineering required to create a full-screen smartphone before under-display camera technology became available.

🔋 Step 4: Removing the Lower Components and Battery

Next, move to the lower section of the device.

Here you'll find the main flex cable, charging board, LCD display cable and fingerprint sensor cable.

Disconnect the coaxial cables and remove the charging sub-board. The board is partially secured with adhesive, so gentle lifting is recommended.

After removing the fingerprint cable, attention can turn to the battery.

Applying heat again helps soften the battery adhesive. Pull the green adhesive tab carefully to release the battery from the frame. Some resistance is normal, so work slowly to avoid damaging the battery.

Before finishing, remove the remaining coaxial cables routed along the side of the frame.

An interesting discovery is the dual earpiece design. Having two earpieces in a device from this period was relatively uncommon and adds another unique feature to the Reno2 Z.

✅ Conclusion

The OPPO Reno2 Z is a fascinating example of smartphone innovation from the pop-up camera era. Its motorised selfie camera, dual earpiece configuration and modular internal design make it an enjoyable device to disassemble and study.

While the teardown itself is fairly straightforward, the strong adhesive around the back cover, battery and camera assembly means patience is essential.

With all components removed, the internal structure of the Reno2 Z reveals the clever engineering that helped create one of OPPO's most distinctive smartphone designs.

Thanks for reading, and happy repairing! 🔧📱

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