Quad-core Galaxy S III opened up by iFixIt and Chipworks (update: camera sensor by Sony)

We took a look at the experience of using the Samsung Galaxy S III in our recent review, but iFixIt has taken a look inside the device to see what components make it possible. With images courtesy of Chipworks, the teardown reveals the 1.4GHz Exynos 4412 quad-core A9 processor and 8-megapixel camera module, both of which are easily accessible with the use of a spudger to pry apart the device’s plastic assembly (Chipworks is currently analyzing the camera module to determine its manufacturer). Not so easy to disassemble, however, is the phone’s screen: the glass is fused to the display itself, and that to the phone’s frame. Collectively, it means replacing the glass will be quite the expensive proposition should any Galaxy S III owners crack the glass covering the device’s 4.8-inch 720 x 1280 display. Chipworks is continuing to investigate the phone’s parts — and iFixIt will be performing its own teardown, no doubt providing even further insights — but if you have the stomach to see Samsung’s latest broken down piece by piece, you can view the rest of the images at iFixIt or Chipworks.

Update: The camera module analysis didn’t take long. iFixIt and Chipworks have updated their respective posts, and it turns out the Galaxy S III’s backside-illuminated sensor is made by none other than Sony. While iFixIt calls the sensor “basically” the same as that featured in the iPhone 4S — a phone nearly eight months old now — Chipworks reports that its early analysis has shown the sensor is a new model. We’ll let you know as soon as more information is discovered.