Database Users

For all returning their phone because of screen separation

I have an HW 003 Novatech EVO built on May 19th.
Like many others I want to return my phone for a new one because of the light leakage and screen separation issues.
However, after reading a few posts and confirming my thesis, there is no point in returning your phone now as the replacement will more than likely have the same defects.
I spoke to a Sprint representative today and she recommended doing this: wait until HTC announces they have shipped newer HW models such as 004, or just a new batch with fixed screens.
Again, save yourself the trouble of unrooting, returning, rooting, etc...
Update: HTC has said they have partnered with several different vendors including Sony to make the screens for the new batch of EVOS. You can read an article about the EVO shortages on Buzzbox. I am not allowed to post the link here..

Hmm, I guess perhaps I should not plan on getting another Evo within the next few weeks. I'm reading a lot of bad stories about the Samsung Galaxy, I don't like the look of the Droid X and this iPhone 4 I just got has a small screen that just doesn't do it for me like the Evo's large screen. But I def do not want to get another Evo and have screen issues again. Oh what to do, what to do......

The replacement I received has no screen separation or like leakage issues. Maybe it takes awhile? my other one had it right off the bat.

Plancy said:
The replacement I received has no screen separation or like leakage issues. Maybe it takes awhile? my other one had it right off the bat.
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My launch day Evo had leakage from day one but the screen wasn't rising until about week later. Now When I last cleaned the screen I could feel movement that I hadn't felt in the beginning. The big deal for me is that I don't want to use an Evo for many months and then the glue problem starts and then the device has the chance of becoming something I can't sell on ebay and would probably not want to give away to friends or family with a faulty screen. It would be nice if HTC could just open up and talk about it and explain how they've fixed the problem and how we have nothing to worry about down the road anymore then we would with another touchscreen phone.

AshMa said:
It would be nice if HTC could just open up and talk about it and explain how they've fixed the problem and how we have nothing to worry about down the road anymore then we would with another touchscreen phone.
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Indeed this would be nice. However, HTC is notorious for not responding to the real issues even though they are aware of them.
As we know, not every EVO has these issues; furthermore, not every EVO has these issues right out of the box. My EVO had no problems until about a 2 weeks after use.
I would recommend playing it safe and just waiting for a newer batch from HTC and then exchange your phone.
We will all probably end up better off

These threads really are not helping my O.C.D.
Hope you guys get everything squared away with your phones. Sucks to hear that the problems can occur even a few weeks down the road

Thats why i'm glad I have an accidental damage warranty. My screen has no separation issues but if it ever does I have a feeling I might accidentally drop this one.

I as well am paying for the warranty, 7$ a month. There is still a 100$ deductible on the new phone.

I've heard screen separation a lot with the novs
Sent from my PC36100 using XDA App

I ordered online (sprint.com) launch day, and got a 002 with screen separation, called 2 weeks ago when sprint.com had some in stock, they made me verify the problem at a local sprint authorized reseller (nearest corporate store is 3hrs away) and by the time i got it verified and called Order Support back they were sold out, they sent me the return kit (i have to return it by August 1) yet its been almost 2 weeks since then and they havent had any in stock to ship me a replacement. Its a little ridiculous as i need to get the replacement through sprint.com, and they are never in stock. I'm terrified of just getting another broken one and having to go through this fiasco again.

If you have screen separation issues, try gently heating the edges of the screen with a hairdryer while pressing down.

dehelflix said:
I ordered online (sprint.com) launch day, and got a 002 with screen separation, called 2 weeks ago when sprint.com had some in stock, they made me verify the problem at a local sprint authorized reseller (nearest corporate store is 3hrs away) and by the time i got it verified and called Order Support back they were sold out, they sent me the return kit (i have to return it by August 1) yet its been almost 2 weeks since then and they havent had any in stock to ship me a replacement. Its a little ridiculous as i need to get the replacement through sprint.com, and they are never in stock. I'm terrified of just getting another broken one and having to go through this fiasco again.
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Strange , I spoke with a sprint rep on Thursday, 7/8, for a exchange, received my return kit today and received email confirmation that the replacement was shipped as of Saturday 7/11. You may want to contact Jerry. 3 day turn around for replacement.
By the way, my return kit states: return original package, manuals, battery, sdhc card, and phone..... I have all of these, but come on original package and manual.

Phone 1 Bad Earpiece speaker
Phone 2 None functioning headphone jack
Phone 3 Screen kept shutting off, but still could recieve calls so it was not a lockup, bad screen maybe?
Phone 4. Ok so far except for light leakage at the bottom. Every one of my replacements had light leakage though, so i wouldnt be returning your phone at this point if light leakage is your only problem. Remember these phones have a 1 year warranty, so if the screen seperates you will get a new phone (refurb)
I dont think HTC as addressed the screen issue, its still very hit and miss with people getting phones that are perfect, and the ones who are, sounds like some are having the issues after a couple weeks use. My newest phone was built on 6-21, and when i got my newest replacement, my brother joined my plan with an evo and both phones had light leakage. My buddy works at sprint, and every employee there that has an evo has light leakage.
Getting a refurb too may be even better, because if they replace the screen, maybe the new screen will be installed properly with a new type of glue, but who knows.

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10 char

My Sprint repair store replaced the screen... HTC is sending screens to key repair centers. I ended up fighting til I got a new phone though.

chaoticallysweet said:
Strange , I spoke with a sprint rep on Thursday, 7/8, for a exchange, received my return kit today and received email confirmation that the replacement was shipped as of Saturday 7/11. You may want to contact Jerry. 3 day turn around for replacement.
By the way, my return kit states: return original package, manuals, battery, sdhc card, and phone..... I have all of these, but come on original package and manual.
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called them back today, had to escalate call 3x, got a order number should get new phone in 3-5 days, thanks.

I picked my EVO on launch day, it was a 002 with a nova screen. Exchanged it 29 daya later due to the light leak / screen separation problem. I got a 003 with an Epson screen and no problems in the last week and a half that I've had it.
Return was done at the Sprint store I purchased it from.
Posted via XDA Android app from Evo

My Google I/O EVO has always had it. I am going to try the hair dryer trick, and if that doesn't work I will just wait for a new hardware revision.
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Sent from my HTC EVO 4G using Tapatalk Pro.

It's easy as heck to fix, most all phones suffer from this it's just more noticeable on the EVO due to the lights but when you hear reports of dust under the screen etc on other phones its usually from the same thing. The adhesive doesn't have time to properly set during the initial huge runs of these phones so some of them will dry with the screen not secured as flat as possible. All you have to do is use a heat gun (blow dryer will work just takes longer) run it around the edges that are lifted long enough for the adhesive to melt then push the screen down flat and hold it long enough for the adhesive to set and you have a perfectly flat screen with no seperation.
It's a pretty common thing, I do this with every new phone I purchase and even with some laptops to make sure the screens are sealed properly to avoid problems down the road even if I don't see any problems initially. Better safe than sorry!

Hey guys I have had zero issues with mine. It’s a 003 Novatec screen....it’s too bad some of you have had so much trouble. I’m just curious since many of you have actually exchanged your phones. Can you just call and do an over the phone exchange?...When I had t-mobile this is what I always did. Sometimes for really stupid issues, but was always nice to get a scratch less replacement. They ship you a new one and you just ship it back? I also have the TEP plan but I would rather not pay 100 bucks if I do run into an issue since I think these should be warranty claims.

[Q] Warranty Exchange w/ T-Mobile

So I had to go through warranty exchange with Customer Care since my volume rocker and bezel are loosening. I am past the 14-day exchange window so the stores will not do anything for me. One thing I was insistent on is that I did not want a refurbished unit (the device is less than 30-days old, why should I accept a refurbished unit?). The customer care associate was pretty insistent himself in telling me that he cannot request a new unit for me, however it is a "great possibility" that I would receive a new unit due to the phone being pretty new. I reluctantly agreed to have the replacement shipped to me, since they refused to let me do an in-store exchange.
Has anyone gone through this with their Vibrant? I'm looking to find people who have received warranty replacements from Customer Care, if anyone has gotten a new or a refurbed unit. Bottom line, I will not accept a refurbished unit. I figured worse comes to worse, I will send the refurbed one back and continue to ***** with them over the phone.
I'm flipping pissed too, because it was just so unnoticeable during the first 14-days, and then it inherently got worse with normal use. So now I'm feeling stuck. I do not know if the rep was telling me it will "likely" be a new unit just to get me to stop complaining, or if it's really true.

I'm with you - I wouldn't accept a refurbished unit either. However, since you are out of your 14-days (I assume you don't live in California) I don't think there is much you can do.
How long have you been a T-Mobile customer? The best bet to have issues resolved is always contact retention department. Not only are the employees there more knowledgeable, but based on your tenure with T-Mo, they often will do things for you other reps won't.

How far out of 14 days are you? I would take your box and everything back to the store you got it at and talk to the manager. Just be super nice about it and ask them to see if they can exchange it for you. Sometimes they can make exceptions, I know at my store we do.

I have exchanged phones in the past that were referbs and they come in pristine condition. They are practically brand new and have zero blemishes.
Don't worry about it.
Question though...
What do you mean the bezel is coming loose. I noticed that on the left side of the phone the bezel does not seem to be on correctly like the right side it might just be my eyes though. I hear a lot of squeaking from it though kinda annoying.
My volume button was loose out of the box feels cheap as hell when pressing it but it does not really bother me too much.
Samsungs build quality on the vibrant is very poor.

PathogenX said:
Samsungs build quality on the vibrant is very poor.
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Mine is perfect. I am quite impressed with the build quality and iPhone4 fanatics who have looked at it have been impressed with it. Their quality control may be poor, but when you get a good one, its terrific.

speoples20 said:
How far out of 14 days are you? I would take your box and everything back to the store you got it at and talk to the manager. Just be super nice about it and ask them to see if they can exchange it for you. Sometimes they can make exceptions, I know at my store we do.
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The phone was purchased on launch day, so tomorrow will mark 30-days.
Unfortunately, I already tried returning my phone to the store. They wouldn't take it. They offered to call customer care to send me a refurb, which I declined. Worst part is, I can't try again because I am out of the area where it was purchased (we are on a family plan, the account holder is in Georgia, I'm in New Jersey, and I was on vacation there when we attempted the exchange this past week.) I do have the receipt though and can try at a different store, but I doubt a different store will want to inherit my problem.

DarkAgent said:
I'm with you - I wouldn't accept a refurbished unit either. However, since you are out of your 14-days (I assume you don't live in California) I don't think there is much you can do.
How long have you been a T-Mobile customer? The best bet to have issues resolved is always contact retention department. Not only are the employees there more knowledgeable, but based on your tenure with T-Mo, they often will do things for you other reps won't.
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We've had T-Mobile since 2002 or 2003, whatever year they first took over Voicestream. If this replacement is a refurb, I will be contacting the retention department.

PathogenX said:
Question though...
What do you mean the bezel is coming loose. I noticed that on the left side of the phone the bezel does not seem to be on correctly like the right side it might just be my eyes though. I hear a lot of squeaking from it though kinda annoying.
My volume button was loose out of the box feels cheap as hell when pressing it but it does not really bother me too much.
Samsungs build quality on the vibrant is very poor.
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Yes, that is what is happening to mine, and it's a defect. The bezel is loose and creaks when held. Also, the volume rocker rattles around in the phone.
I've played with the store display units, as well as another Vibrant we had purchased on our family account, and it has none of these issues. They are solidly built. So it's obvious that some of batches weren't properly assembled.

At my T-Mobile location my rep was having problems with her Vibrant and decided to try to tough it out. She did some master resets and didn't exchange within 14 days. She received a refurb from T-Mo.
As a manager I've gotten to the point where refurbs no longer bother me. Most of the time the refurbs come back in excellent condition, especially now that we're doing the certified open box program where people can buy COB phones.

Honestly if you put a refurb and a new vibrant side by side you couldn't tell the difference. If they hadn't said anything you wouldn't have known. Besides it comes with the same 1 year manufactures warranty so its still covered.

Did you purchase the phone at full price or as a subsidy? If at full price you have 30 days to exchange at store.

mesajoejoe said:
Did you purchase the phone at full price or as a subsidy? If at full price you have 30 days to exchange at store.
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As a subsidy.
I know refurbs are supposed to be just as good or even better, but I've never had any luck with anything refurbished. Anything with a screen has always had hairline scratches. Either that or it's very obviously been used with lots of normal wear and tear and marks/scuffs.

MMcCraryNJ said:
Yes, that is what is happening to mine, and it's a defect. The bezel is loose and creaks when held. Also, the volume rocker rattles around in the phone.
I've played with the store display units, as well as another Vibrant we had purchased on our family account, and it has none of these issues. They are solidly built. So it's obvious that some of batches weren't properly assembled.
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That's disappointing to hear... =/
It doesn't bother me too much I would have just perfected a more solid feeling phone.
Besides they charge you $10 to ship it out to you.
I would much rather save those 10 bucks and if the phone has some real issues I will return it. I also don't want to go through the headache of finding all my apps and redownloading them and getting my phone back to the way it previously was. Meh. I will stick with a few creaks here and there.
If you do however decide on doing this please tell us your experience with the referb phone. I am interested.

You whine too much. Who cares what it is. As long as you get a device that is new or refurbed, you won't even be able to tell the difference. Just enjoy your phone. And also, customer retention won't do anything as far as your problem.
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App

i just recently got a refurb from tmobile and it looks brand new have not had any problems it looks brand new like if it was never used

deviusdragger said:
You whine too much. Who cares what it is. As long as you get a device that is new or refurbed, you won't even be able to tell the difference. Just enjoy your phone. And also, customer retention won't do anything as far as your problem.
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App
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Sorry, but I don't think I'm being unreasonable in requesting a new 500 dollar item when the one I just purchased was defective. Sure, 6 months down the line, something happens, give me a refurb. That's reasonable because the value of your purchase declines with time and with your own use. 30 days old is brand spanking new, and I should get the same if something is wrong with it.

I have one getting delivered to me today. I've been with T-mobile for close to ten years and they overnight shipped it for free to me. Mine is having an issue when charging where the usb cord is very loose. They rep said I would get a new or like new item but I will also be returning it if it not new. My phone is only 20 days old and I don't trust refurbished units enough when mine is only 20 days old. The loose card is making it so if the phone is not in the right position it won't charge

MMcCraryNJ said:
Sorry, but I don't think I'm being unreasonable in requesting a new 500 dollar item when the one I just purchased was defective. Sure, 6 months down the line, something happens, give me a refurb. That's reasonable because the value of your purchase declines with time and with your own use. 30 days old is brand spanking new, and I should get the same if something is wrong with it.
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LOL
i thought you bought your phone subsidized?

MMcCraryNJ said:
Sorry, but I don't think I'm being unreasonable in requesting a new 500 dollar item when the one I just purchased was defective. Sure, 6 months down the line, something happens, give me a refurb. That's reasonable because the value of your purchase declines with time and with your own use. 30 days old is brand spanking new, and I should get the same if something is wrong with it.
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Your window for a new replacement is 14 days.

I just got a replacement unit from T-Mobile and frankly I have no idea how to tell whether it is new or refurbished. Is there a way to tell? I really don't care if it is refurbished as long as it looks like new and works properly (aside from GPS and compass of course), but I am really curious how you guys are able to tell whether the replacement unit you got is new or not.

My experience with the EVO so far.

Only had the EVO for 2 months now. Love it, however...
Within the first 30 days, I went through four devices.
1st one, screen just stopped, exchanged in store.
2nd one, just would not turn on anymore, exchanged in store.
3rd one, speaker blew, exchanged in store.
Now the third one held up, for a bit... and the rear speaker blew again, this time im outside the 30 days so Sprint sent me a refurb.... I begged them for a new one since I have barely had this phone and have have so many problems, nope ... This must of been a heavily used EVO. Was activated on 8/15 and has a lifetime of 4,390 calls. Yay, went from a series of new ones to a cosmetically new one, but with an old engine under the hood

mvjunkie said:
Only had the EVO for 2 months now. Love it, however...
Within the first 30 days, I went through THREE (3) devices.
1st one, screen just stopped, exchanged in store.
2nd one, just would not turn on anymore, exchanged in store.
3rd one, speaker blew, exchanged in store.
Now the third one held up, for a bit... and the rear speaker blew again, this time im outside the 30 days so Sprint sent me a refurb.... I begged them for a new one since I have barely had this phone and have have so many problems, nope ... This must of been a heavily used EVO. Was activated on 8/15 and has a lifetime of 4,390 calls. Yay, went from a series of new ones to a cosmetically new one, but with an old engine under the hood
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Can't you count to four?

Sure can.
Sorry, no need to be rude.

nabbed said:
Can't you count to four?
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Yeah maybe if you didn't feel the need to just JUMP, you'd be able to do the same. Been seeing your posts, you the new guy that just hates?
OP, I feel your pain. Only my 2nd Evo - myself - but I know how it goes to have a bout of bad, and specific, devices.
PMultiple users have expressed their repeated returns and receivings of new Evo's while others haven't had much trouble. Hardware issues arise, normally, but it's tough dealing with more issues than the norm will face.
Edit: see the Lawrence speed test server ... Kansas folk ... LOL kidding there but seriously, useless response
SWYPED from my SUPASONIC

Somebody wasn't meant to get an Evo.
Or maybe you're confusing this phone with the palm pre. I had mine replaced 4 times.

Who gets mad about having to get your first evo phone replaced by a refurb?

How many of you get pretty mad when you spent 400 to 250 on your evo and it was brand new outta the box and you babied it and then you had the light bleed or b spot effect on your screen 3 or 4 months later and when you take your phone in they swap it out calling it a new one thats a refurb kinda wish they give you a brand new one that had all the issues fixed dont you for the amount you paid for?
what do you guys think?

I buy my phones from bestbuy and use their insurance so if my phone messes up then they just replace it with brand new one. They don't use referbs. Just fyi for later buys. They also have buy back program. So basically when I upgrade next Jan they will be paying me for my next phone.

Papa Smurf151 said:
I buy my phones from bestbuy and use their insurance so if my phone messes up then they just replace it with brand new one. They don't use referbs. Just fyi for later buys. They also have buy back program. So basically when I upgrade next Jan they will be paying me for my next phone.
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nice i heard about that better deal then sprints

reaper24 said:
nice i heard about that better deal then sprints
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Much better. Plus with buy back bestbuy will give me like 40-50% of original($650) after a year when my upgrade comes up. Only bad thing is they don't replace phone if its list it stolen

not all ways true last phone i had they never replaced it just wanted to keep sending it out and have it fixed and handing me a pos loaner

my first evo started to restart randomly, first thing the sprint rep did was do a hard reset and format the sd. I had a feeling that would not fix it and in fact the problem only got worse. When I took my EVO back the second time, they ordered me a "new" phone. The next week I was able to go pick it up. Soon as i got home i noticed 4 b-spots 3 of them are horribly distracting. Im procrastinating going back to the store cuz i am tired of the run around every time i go in. One thing that is weird to me is that i supposedly have hardware version 4. shouldnt the b spots be fixed by now on this version?

therealjimshady said:
my first evo started to restart randomly, first thing the sprint rep did was do a hard reset and format the sd. I had a feeling that would not fix it and in fact the problem only got worse. When I took my EVO back the second time, they ordered me a "new" phone. The next week I was able to go pick it up. Soon as i got home i noticed 4 b-spots 3 of them are horribly distracting. Im procrastinating going back to the store cuz i am tired of the run around every time i go in. One thing that is weird to me is that i supposedly have hardware version 4. shouldnt the b spots be fixed by now on this version?
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Only Novatek screens exhibit the "b spots", and H/W 0004 has been using Novatek screens along with Epson. So some unlucky 0004 owners have the crappy LCD panels.

assurion
I bought my evo around christmas, I was in a bad accident feb 1st that thrashed my phone, I placed a order with assurion and it took them three weeks to get my phone because it was on" back order", so I assumed the phone was gonna be new but when I went to activate it on sprint.com in the description of the phone said "refurb unit" which means I waited three weeks for a refurbished phone paid a $100 insurance fee and the the phone came with a scratch out the box!!! thanks assurion

I'll order replacement parts and fix it myself, if possible.

it was brand new outta the box
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3 or 4 months later
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Keywords: WAS new, broke 3-4 MONTHS later.
Yes, I completely agree that it sucks getting a refurb. But the truth is, your phone is NOT NEW ANYMORE. It's 3-4 months old, making it USED. Sprint should NOT have to give you a brand new phone to replace your USED one.
That being said though, I have had a few bad refurb evo's. But, I just take it back to sprint store, or call CS. I explain that while I understand I will get a refurb, the phone should be in good physical and working condition, as my last phone was. Then they either give me another refurb, or a new model for the inconvenience.

I don't mind as long as it works and I've had no problems with mine. I too am normally nervous about refurbs, only because I've had bad - and numerous - refurb issues with electronics. But as long as it works I couldn't care less.
Sent from my PC36100 using XDA App

If it works being the big word. I had Horrible luck with verizon refurbs...
Sent from my PC36100 using XDA Premium App

Papa Smurf151 said:
I buy my phones from bestbuy and use their insurance so if my phone messes up then they just replace it with brand new one. They don't use referbs. Just fyi for later buys. They also have buy back program. So basically when I upgrade next Jan they will be paying me for my next phone.
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I don't know what planet you're from but that's never the case with Best Buy. They will ALWAYS try to repair your phones which means sending it in for 2 weeks while you get stuck with a crappy loaner for the mean time. If it is not repairable, then they'll provide you with a new unit as long as they don't have something that has been returned to them in working condition.
Sprint will at least attempt to fix your phone on the spot so you're not wasting so much time and then send you a refurb (some times new devices).
I have recently had bad experiences with Sprints refurbs but kept exchanging it until I was 100% happy (3rd try) with no questions asked.
BTW, Best Buy's insurance is $10 a month, while Sprint's is $7 (30% less). Also, BB's insurance DOES NOT cover lost/stolen phones (not even if paying $100 deductible), Sprint does.
Done...

I talked to the manager at the sprint location I did my warranty swap at and told him I only wanted a new evo. Explained my side, waiting in line on opening day, etc., etc. and he agreed. So there are other ways....even at Sprint.
Sent on the go from my HTC EVO

He was nice, because he certainly doesn't have to.
Personally, I don't care if I'm the 5th owner of this phone as long as it is flawless cosmetically and functioning as it should.

akarol said:
He was nice, because he certainly doesn't have to.
Personally, I don't care if I'm the 5th owner of this phone as long as it is flawless cosmetically and functioning as it should.
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Likewise..
My last replacement was a refurb with a cracked case and a weird bright spot on the screen.
I called 15 minutes after opening the box and Asurion promptly sent me a brand new one.

I wanted a brand new one too and Asurion could not guarantee it. I got a refurb and often wonder if it has been better than my original would have been. I had my original 3 weeks and cracked the screen

Refurbished Rant

Has anyone had any problems with their refurbished EVOs? So far I've had 4 in the last week and a half, and I have to go back again tomorrow for what I'm going to assume will be my 5th. The power button on my EVO broke, they sent me a refurb. That one had a broken charging port when I got it, another refurb. That one did nothing but a constant boot loop, another refurb. This one came to me with a blown earpiece speaker and an overheating problem that causes the phone to reboot.
I'm sick of spending my family dinner time every day at the Sprint store. Can I be the only one who is having these problems? It seems to me that whoever refurbishes these phones for Sprint has absolutely no quality control department whatsoever. Another (what I consider to be huge) problem is that at one point I was waiting 3 days because the refurb EVOs were on back-order. During that time I had to steal the extra phone on my account back from my mom.
I guess I really can't do much about any of this, but I did write a letter in the hopes that someone will give a damn about just how horrible these refurbished phones are when they reach the consumer. I don't have high hopes though.
It reminds me of the time I drove from Sprint store to Sprint store trying to find a replacement Treo years ago. I hit 5 different stores before I finally got one that wasn't a damaged refurb.
That's the end of my rant. If you're bored enough to have read this far... well, that sucks.

I had my launch day Evo replaced due to the broken power button issue with a refurbished unit. It has worked flawlessly since I got it about 3 weeks ago. It is hardware version 0004.

I had a similar problem to yours. The 3g radio went out on my 31 day old evo, back when i got mine on launch day. Even though I was 1 day over the 30 day exchange policy, they refused to give me a new one. I went through 6 refurbs before they finally decided to give me a new one. Each one was ridiculously bad. One wouldn't turn on. One had a bad charging and hdmi port. One had a whole section of the screen that didn't work. And the worst one, when I got it out of the box, the screen was literally in two pieces. The entire glass part was not glued to the actual phone. I immediately took it back to the store that ordered it for me, and they refused to replace it, saying that I was the one who broke it, even though I didn't even activate it yet. I had to fight with Account Services and customer support for over 2 weeks to get them to finally get me a new one. Everyone I talked to ASSURED me their refurbs were "completely normal" and "rebuilt to factory specs". I didn't know factory specs included the phone coming in two pieces.
On a side note, my girlfriend went through the same thing with Verizon with her old phone last year. It was a touch screen phone, she went through 5 refurbs until they decided to get here a new one. Same thing, every one was so bad. Three of them, the touch screen didnt work at all. One the vibrate didn't work. One would not connect to the internet. And they said the same thing, "all our refurbs are completely tested to work just like a new unit". Yeah right.

That is pretty interesting, pretty crappy of Sprint to do that to you.
However, from my experiences they have some sort of a 3 refurb rule, or it may be 4 and then they are supposed to give you a new phone. I am not sure that this is still a policy but I know I have fallen back on it a few times. Do some digging and see if you can confirm that it still is or bring it up to them at the store. If they **** you around call retention and let them know your fed up and I am more than positive they will take care of you.

Went through 2 myself in the past two weeks and when the third one came in the same way, the rep game me a NIB 004. Guess it all depends on who you speak with and how their day is going! The issue on all of these was the 'sunspot', as I call it. Had my first evo screen replaced 4 months in last year for the same thing. Good Luck!

i just got a refurb last week. i waited over a week cause they were on back order. first thing i did was root it and load cm7 on it. no problems so far.
when i had to get a refurbed moment last year it was a different story though.

My update... Sprint replaced the blown speaker. Had to go back again today because the phone kept overheating and rebooting. A nice technician named Sandi gave me a new EVO. It came with gingerbread, so no root for me. But I am so glad to be through with the broken refurbs. If I had gotten one more broken phone I think I would have had to ditch Sprint. I'm honestly very relieved.
Sent from my PC36100 using XDA App

Anyone having any problem getting refurb replacements? Backordered wise?

Seems to me like you would have saved yourself a lot of headaches if you just checked the phone before you left the store. Everytime I get a phone from Sprint, I go sit in my car for a few minutes and make sure everything is working. It's better than driving all the way home and realizing my phone is broken later. Plus if you come back in right after they give you the phone, and show them the problem, they wont be able to say that it's something you did.
Sent from my HTC EVO 4G using XDA app