Water damage is one of the most common issues for smartphones, and even high-end models like the HUAWEI P50 Pocket are not immune. If your HUAWEI P50 Pocket accidentally took a dip in seawater and is no longer turning on, don’t worry—we’ve got a detailed repair guide for you. In this article, we’ll walk you through troubleshooting and repairing your phone, addressing everything from checking for corrosion on the motherboard to fixing power issues. Follow these steps to get your phone back up and running, and avoid common mistakes that could worsen the problem.
Device Details
Model: HUAWEI P50
Announced: 2021, December 23
Defect Phenomenon
The HUAWEI P50 Pocket was submerged in seawater for a few seconds. After retrieving it, the phone would not boot intermittently. The user attempted to dry the phone using a hairdryer, but it failed to start up completely.
Tip: Avoid using a hair dryer on a water-damaged phone, as it can worsen the issue. (Water vapor can spread inside the phone, condensing into droplets when cooled, leading to further damage on the motherboard.)
Troubleshooting
Disassemble the Phone:
Begin by carefully disassembling the phone. Take extra care with the flex cable attached to the screen to prevent damage.
Inspect for Water Damage:
- After opening the device, visible water stains were found on the back cover.
- Protect the cameras with stickers before removing the motherboard.
Check for Corrosion:
- Examine the motherboard closely—there were significant white water stains on both sides.
- A filter-type capacitor was missing, likely due to corrosion, but this can be ignored as it won’t impact the repair.
Boot Current Inspection:
Trigger the boot process and measure the current. The reading showed 10mA, which typically indicates PMIC (Power Management IC) damage or a disrupted power supply.
Repair Process
Inspect the Motherboard:
A small crystal chip, responsible for the PMIC clock signal, was found to be corroded.
Resoldering the Crystal Chip:
- Apply rosin to the affected component and heat it with a hot air gun.
- Carefully remove the crystal oscillator chip.
- Clean the pads on the PCB thoroughly before resoldering the chip back in place.
(Note: Based on repair experience, crystal oscillator chips are rarely fully damaged, so resoldering usually resolves the issue.)
Test the Device:
Connect the phone to a DC power supply and initiate the boot sequence again. This time, the current was stable, with no leakage.
Reassemble and Final Testing:
Put the phone back together and test all functions. The device booted up normally, and all features were working properly.
The issue was successfully resolved by resoldering the crystal oscillator.
Conclusion:
Water damage can be daunting, but with the right approach and careful troubleshooting, it’s often possible to revive a phone like the HUAWEI P50 Pocket. By addressing corrosion and ensuring proper power management, we restored the device to full functionality. Remember, using a hair dryer can make matters worse—always take the time to open up the device and inspect for damage properly. With patience and attention to detail, you can bring your device back to life and avoid costly replacements.
Tools & Parts List:
- Hairdryer (for reference on what not to use)
- Opening tool kit (for phone disassembly)
- Protective stickers (for covering cameras)
- Rosin
- Hot air gun
- Soldering iron and solder
- DC power supply
- Cleaning solution for PCB pads
