This AliExpress listing caught my attention. It claimed to be a transparent back glass for just $4 with no fancy branding, no preview photos, nothing that screamed “premium.” But for that price, I figured it was worth the gamble.

If you saw my earlier transparent S23 Ultra mod video, you know I went all-in: scraping, heating, and carefully stripping the factory coating just to get that clear-back look. It worked in the end, but it was messy, stressful, and honestly not something I’d recommend for most people unless you love living dangerously with your phone.

For comparison, my original DIY mod took well over an hour, required specialized tools, and came with a constant risk of cracking the glass. With this $4 panel, it’s literally a beginner-friendly swap anyone can do.

Sticking It On Was Almost Too Easy

When it finally arrived, I couldn’t believe it, it actually looked good. The glass felt surprisingly solid for something so cheap, and best of all, it came with pre-installed adhesive.

That meant no messing around with glue, clamps, or reapplying messy adhesive strips. All I had to do was peel off the protective layer, line it up with the frame, and press it down. In under five minutes, my Galaxy S22 Ultra had a transparent back again. No heat guns, no scraping, no chemical mess. It was almost too easy.

Why It’s Worth It

Insanely cheap: Only $4 for a full replacement panel.
No tools needed: Adhesive already applied for a quick install.
Clean finish: Looks every bit as good as my original DIY mod without the headache.

The Catch:

Before you jump on AliExpress, here’s what to keep in mind:

It’s weaker than OEM glass. This makes it more fragile than Samsung’s Gorilla Glass Victus. A drop could shatter it easily.
Waterproofing is gone. Aftermarket adhesive won’t keep that IP rating intact.
Possible camera impact. Some aftermarket panels skip Samsung’s anti-glare coatings, so low-light shots might look slightly worse.

What Models It Supports

This AliExpress listing works with:

S22 series: S22, S22+, S22 Ultra
S23 series: S23, S23+, S23 Ultra
S24 series: S24, S24+, S24 Ultra

If you want to grab one, here’s the link: Transparent Back Glass for Samsung Galaxy S22,23,and 24 on AliExpress

Final Thoughts

If you loved my original mod but didn’t want to destroy a back panel yourself, this $4 AliExpress glass is hands down the easiest solution. It takes minutes to install, looks just as clean, and doesn’t require heat guns, chemicals, or hours of scraping.

That said, don’t forget what you’re getting into. This isn’t Samsung’s Gorilla Glass Victus, it’s more fragile, and won’t keep your phone waterproof. If you drop your phone a lot or plan to take it near water, you’ll definitely want a good case or to skip this entirely.

Still, if you’re after a unique, techy aesthetic and don’t mind a slight trade-off in durability, it’s worth the $4 gamble. You’ll get that same transparent vibe I showed off in my DIY mod video without all the hassle.

See you in the next article.