Database Users

Manufacturing Imperfections (Sketchy Build Quality)

Alright, so right off the bat I just want to say that this isn't a doom and gloom thread (I hope), but it's an issue I wanted to ask you guys about since I'm on my 2nd phone now and I've had cosmetic issues with both. I want to love my phone, I just want one that won't give me problems first! I will post pictures soon, to show you guys what I'm about to describe below.
Both phones have had minor (but very annoying) imperfections involving the casing. My first phone was the most problematic. First off, the battery cover did not sit flush. I did not realize how much of a difference this made in terms of build quality until I got my second phone. My 1rst phone would creak and click when pressure was applied to the back and it just did not seem like a very sturdy device. This was not the case with the second phone (which had a back cover that fit perfectly) as there was no creaking or clicking, it felt rock solid just like its supposed to. Also, there was a small chip and discolouration of the teflon coating on the bottom left front face of the first phone. Again, nothing major but still not something that I was not pleased about given the price of the phone.
Unrelated but my first phone also had the purple tint issue which is the main reason I returned it and bought a new one (I couldn't outright swap because I don't live in the US). My second phone came in and luckily it did not have the tint issue. All I can say is WOW, what a difference it makes having a proper screen!! The black colours actually look crisp and dark, and there is absolutely no tint at low brightness.
So the screen was good. I checked the bottom left hand to see for any issues with the teflon, and there were none. I checked the backplate and like I mentioned earlier, it was perfectly flush. So far so good BUT.. again there were some cosmetic issues! Along the left side of the phone there was a tiny chip and some of the grey finish was off. Also, on the back, the bottom teflon piece did not sit flush with the rest of the device.
Once again, these are minor yet annoying things (but who knows, maybe I just have OCD!). The big issue from the first phone was the screen and the creaking, both of which are resolved with the second device, but I'm i'm contemplating whether I should return this one as well to go for one that is "perfectly built".. I mean, if this phone was store bought I would have no hesitation. I would just go there and make them open the boxes until I found a device that had no imperfections.. But it's just a real hassle having to continually ship my old device back, purchase a new one (while waiting two weeks to get credited back my $600 for the first device), and waiting for it to arrive. I also don't want to risk getting another phone with the purple tint issue..
Sorry for the long winded post, but basically what I wanted to ask was do you guys have any manufacturing imperfections with your phones??. I'm not talking about faulty screens or weak antennas, but actually design or cosmetic flaws. Do you guys have any and have you learned to just accept them or have you returned your devices and successfully gotten the "perfect" device.
Thanks, and hopefully I can get some pics up soon. Feel free to post your own so we can compare!

I got mine for free at this year's Barcelona MWC and luckyly i've had no issues whatsoever regarding hardware or aesthetics. An I say luckyly because obviously if I haven't bought it and I don't live in the US I would most definitely not get it replaced.

jasrups said:
Sorry for the long winded post, but basically what I wanted to ask was do you guys have any manufacturing imperfections with your phones??. I'm not talking about faulty screens or weak antennas, but actually design or cosmetic flaws. Do you guys have any and have you learned to just accept them or have you returned your devices and successfully gotten the "perfect" device.
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So which are you really looking for? Manufacturing defects or design flaws?
Are you looking for functional defects or cosmetic only defects?
Are you look for process-gone-completely-wrong defects or are you looking for minor imperfections resultant of process variation?
It is certainly possible to have a bad screen or a bad antenna as a manufacturing defect. There is also minor variation in any manufacturing process - this is normal. The trick is to keep the variation controlled well enough that the process consistently produces acceptable quality product. Note: No manufacturing process produces perfect parts, and minor imperfections are not necessarily defects. Normally, a design flaw impacts manufacturing quality only if the design requirements are too stringent for manufacturing capability.
I know you started out saying you did not want yet another thread bagging on the N1, but without clearer objectives, you've left it wide open for just that.

Mmm I love the build quality, it's very rigid and solid.
There is one imperfection that I noticed like 3 weeks of constant use.. The bottom piece, the one with "htc" on it, is a little bit more raised on one side (in comparison to the silver band on the back) than the other side. I'm talking 0.5mm difference that you can't see, only feel when comparing.
I'm writing that off as absolutely negligible and too tiny to even think about.

DarkDvr said:
Mmm I love the build quality, it's very rigid and solid.
There is one imperfection that I noticed like 3 weeks of constant use.. The bottom piece, the one with "htc" on it, is a little bit more raised on one side (in comparison to the silver band on the back) than the other side. I'm talking 0.5mm difference that you can't see, only feel when comparing.
I'm writing that off as absolutely negligible and too tiny to even think about.
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Click to collapse
Same here. I thought about popping it off (it's just retained by a couple of clips) and attempting to re-seat it, but I see no problem with it. It's not like the 2nd batch of the iPhone 3G, where there was 1mm gaps between the plastic back and chrome bezel. I'm shocked no news blog picked up on that, it was fairly widespread.

ATnTdude said:
Same here. I thought about popping it off (it's just retained by a couple of clips) and attempting to re-seat it, but I see no problem with it. It's not like the 2nd batch of the iPhone 3G, where there was 1mm gaps between the plastic back and chrome bezel. I'm shocked no news blog picked up on that, it was fairly widespread.
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Well it's the almighty apple, they don't wanna disappoint their readers that the calculator that they paid $500 for is also cheaply built.

I have a question that (um..) kinda relates to this. I'm having a hard timing saying this so bare with me. You know when technology is first released that is has alot of problems and bugs but overtime it seems that the problems die down because the companies that produce the phones (xboxs, iphones, ps3, etcs) get smarter and make things differently or better...
Well my contract with t-mobile is up in 46 days and I was planning on getting a nexus one. I don't plan on getting it engraved. My question is that do you think my phone will be made when I order it or do you believe its been sitting in a warehouse since March 26th (guess) just waiting for somebody to place a call? I've seen those cool "making of nexus one" videos on youtube and figured i'd ask you guys. Thanks to whoever answers.

yup, i have similar issues. i initially thought they actually shipped a refurb unit to me. turns out i'm not the only one. now i'm not that worried

attn1 said:
So which are you really looking for? Manufacturing defects or design flaws?
Are you looking for functional defects or cosmetic only defects?
Are you look for process-gone-completely-wrong defects or are you looking for minor imperfections resultant of process variation?
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Click to collapse
attn1, I could have been more clear in my last statement, 'design flaw' was a vague term. I meant cosmetic only defects and minor imperfections as a result of process variation. I know that with any product that is mass produced on an assembly line you will get variation from device to device. This thread wasn't meant to bash this variation but just to compare what other people have experienced with their phones.
Like I said, my first phone was awful, it had both functional and aesthetic problems. My second phone seems to be fully functional but still has a few (albeit minor) aesthetic imperfections. I must say though, I got my Brando Gel case in today and it looks great on the phone! It covers up the unevenness on the bottom teflon piece as well as the blemish on the left side of the phone very nicely.

My nexus came with a scratch or bubble on the inside of the screens glass. They told me i'd get a refurb in exchange(even though it's about a week old), I told them i'd think about it. Think i'll be calling back and demanding a brand new device.

ihearttreo said:
My nexus came with a scratch or bubble on the inside of the screens glass. They told me i'd get a refurb in exchange(even though it's about a week old), I told them i'd think about it. Think i'll be calling back and demanding a brand new device.
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That kinda scares me because I'm picking up a nexus one in 46 days (contract with t-mobile will be up then) and I dont want something like that to happen to me. I'll keep my fingers crossed. I would demand a new one too

Have had no issues with mine until yesterday when the trackball stopped scrolling left. Refurb sans engraving rolling in tomorrow. All told still much better quality then my G1 or Blackberry.
Sent from my Nexus One using the XDA mobile application powered by Tapatalk

No tint nothing amiss as far as build quality that I can notice. This is the best built (visually and as far as any creakiness or such) phone I have ever owned and the first one I have had without any perceptible flaws out of the gate.

OK! So to all of you who has a Nexus One with cosmetic imperfections on the BOTTOM plastic piece on the BACK, with the labeled HTC, i may have a cure for you.
So, with me I HAD a slight imperfection on the right side, about a 1mm gap. It was annoying and I have some slight OCD (used to be worse). One day last week or so, that part of my phone became VERY hot, probably 101-105℉. While that plastic was hot, it was a little bit bendable. I used a rather large amount of force, and over about three times of doing this, the plastic is flush with the metal, and the rest of the phone.
So try that if you're super partial to your device like me. Or if you dont wanna deal with HTC, like me.
ZachTM

"refurbished" sounds bad but really its a more taken care of device isn't it? It's been tested to a further degree so its more likely to come without flaws perhaps or am I reaching?

DMaverick50 said:
"refurbished" sounds bad but really its a more taken care of device isn't it? It's been tested to a further degree so its more likely to come without flaws perhaps or am I reaching?
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no. you're reaching high... its been refunded and fixed.. haha
so you are using someone else's phone who now owns probably a new device. brand new is the way to go, especially if your device is a week old...

Screen gaps - are they all like this?!

Just been using my DHD under bright light and realised that I too have the gaps at the edge of the screen that some are talking about. Thought I had got away with it until now.
Seems the build quality of these things is pretty poor considering the price - I can easily fit the edge of a piece of paper in that gap ... not good.
Wondering if this will have any damaging effect on the phone in the long run?
Anyone who says they don't suffer from this, look closely (if you dare) under bright light. I didn't think mine did too until now!

so I'm the only one or you guys are just too scared to look in case you have this issue... which is it? ;-)

im fully aware of my problems but i can live with them... perfection is impossible, the build quality isnt that bad... but i can understand that other peoples expectations are a lot higher.
have you tried a warranty call?

I don't have these gaps. It's as flush as it should be.

thing is though, i dont have that annoying sim cover gap, but i have a slightly loose screen, but its not an issue if you get what i mean.

Loose screen?! Not an issue for a £450 device? You must be very tolerant ;-)

I know what you mean. I think, I just got lucky. No proximity sensor issues, no INIT lag, no SIM cover gaps, no screen gaps. There had to be someone who got one!

yeah i pretty am... besides that it has a 2 year warranty and if anything happens i can let HTC know and they can sort it out... mind you the camera on the device moves inside the case but hasnt gone so far down that i cant take a photo :_)

Creaking Back on Atrix?

Hey guys,
This is my first post on the forums, so I hope it goes well... I did a search and couldn't find anything like what I was looking for, so I figured I would write a new thread.
I got my atrix a little over a week ago now, and really like it. The only small issue I have found is with the back of the phone/ fingerprint reader. The back of the phone has a general weird creaking about it. The two places i get this the most are at the sides near where it clips in (I checked to make sure the clips are firmly in place) and kind of the top center... about even with the camera and down from the fingerprint reader. In the second spot, there is a kind of weird give to it that pops up and down, and makes a little noise.
The other issue is a weird thing with the fingerprint reader. I noticed this like the third day I had it, but the "sticker" that covers up the fingerprint reader is oddly crooked. Probably not a big deal, but it is a little bothersome on a brand new phone.
Has anyone had these issues at all? Could they perhaps be fixed by just doing a quick swap of the back for a new one, or is it perhaps a more serious problem? I really don't want to be a pain and make them swap out the phone for a new one over a stupid creaking back, but it really bothers me... I am a bit of a stickler for build quality.
Thanks in advance for any thoughts

Well I mean, if you're having hardware defects then you can only... pretty much take the phone back.
If you can get over it then that's great, but if you're stuck with the phone for 2 years, I'd get a new one.

HAD same problem with the back creaking. Just get some thin tape (I used 3m masking tape) and cover the tabs wit small piece of the tape.
I did this to the whole cover and now its SOLID all around!
bearsfan172 said:
Hey guys,
This is my first post on the forums, so I hope it goes well... I did a search and couldn't find anything like what I was looking for, so I figured I would write a new thread.
I got my atrix a little over a week ago now, and really like it. The only small issue I have found is with the back of the phone/ fingerprint reader. The back of the phone has a general weird creaking about it. The two places i get this the most are at the sides near where it clips in (I checked to make sure the clips are firmly in place) and kind of the top center... about even with the camera and down from the fingerprint reader. In the second spot, there is a kind of weird give to it that pops up and down, and makes a little noise.
The other issue is a weird thing with the fingerprint reader. I noticed this like the third day I had it, but the "sticker" that covers up the fingerprint reader is oddly crooked. Probably not a big deal, but it is a little bothersome on a brand new phone.
Has anyone had these issues at all? Could they perhaps be fixed by just doing a quick swap of the back for a new one, or is it perhaps a more serious problem? I really don't want to be a pain and make them swap out the phone for a new one over a stupid creaking back, but it really bothers me... I am a bit of a stickler for build quality.
Thanks in advance for any thoughts
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

happens to me too i think its just the design of the cover. no biggie.

bearsfan172 said:
Hey guys,
The other issue is a weird thing with the fingerprint reader. I noticed this like the third day I had it, but the "sticker" that covers up the fingerprint reader is oddly crooked. Probably not a big deal, but it is a little bothersome on a brand new phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
mine dosnt look crooked, but it does appear as though its starting to peel off on one corner

Same
I noticed the exact same two things as the OP. Disappointing for me too (although minor). I was used to rock-solid Nexus One.

My phones fingerprint reader is crooked, which is oddly very very annoying. The screen is also flush on the left side, yet recessed on the right side.

cataclysmicvoid said:
I noticed the exact same two things as the OP. Disappointing for me too (although minor). I was used to rock-solid Nexus One.
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Yeah. If that's the way it is, it isn't the end of the world to me. I came from the iPhone 4 which... say what you will about apple, but their build quality and consistency is generally very very good.
A bit disappointing to me that a beautiful new phone would have annoyances like a back that doesn't sit quite right... but there are worse things in the world really.

Dust particles behind the screen glass..

I picked up the Acer at BB last Friday and love it! I rooted it, increased the battery life, enabled Exchange, got Sync SMS and its the way I like it to be right now. I have been spending some quality time with it haha. I know it has its downsides but I was going to keep it regardless.
Today I notticed dust particles behind the screen glass and there is nothing that bugs me more about a device.. in fact I haven't had this happen since my Razr and I can't believe Acer would not seal the screen properly! This happens only after a week of use, I can only imagine how bad it would be after few months :-(
It looks like I should exchange it at least..
Anyways, does anyone have the same thing happening?

Not yet after almost 10 hours of use in the last 3 days. I have had the Acer sleeve on it since minute 1 though, maybe it will keep some of the dust out. Shoot some compressed air through the openings, maybe that will help.

That or search for a teardown video and blow the dust out that way.

Same problem here.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1059266

silencer51 said:
Same problem here.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1059266
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Click to collapse
I am exchanging mine for sure though I don't think it would make a difference as I believe more and more Acer half assed this otherwise great device

I find it hard to believe that dust would just appear under the screen, or rather, between the screen and the glass without some kind of interference from the user. Either leaving the SD cover open (maybe you removed the tape over the nonexistent sim slot), storing the tablet in an dusty place (and I mean, it's gotta be REALLY dusty) or blowing, without consideration, dust around the device. While the ports may not be 'sealed' they aren't that open to the environment.
Baring all that, the chances are that what you're seeing is actually debris from the manufacturing process which was already in the tablet and, through regular use, some of which made their way into that very tight spot. As hard as it is to believe that, its just as possible.
While both possibilities are valid, the chances are, neither of them will warrant an exchange.
Post back if they take it.

I'm anal when it comes to proper handling of my gadgets and I haven't removed the tape or left the cover open. I can't even be sure its dust I just know there are some things under the glass that weren't there yesterday. You make a valid point that it could be something that was already there. BB will either exchange it or I will return it and buy another one
Its only been a week since I bought it.
Sent from my HD2 using XDA Premium App

Well just got my a500
tested it straight out of the box and sure enough I have one tiny dust spec under the screen.
Otherwise no other issues.
I can also say looking at this screen against my transofrmer (that has mucho light bleed and also a dust spec and is creaky) that the screen is definitely not as nice. It is cooler in color though ironically with better blacks. Also the viewing angles while acceptable are not as nice.
Well Now I have a dilemma. I got a 32gb Acer for 30$ more than a 16gb Transformer.
Transgormer has nicer screen but suffers light bleed a dust spec and is a bit creaky.
IT is a bit lighter with over all nicer screen. IT also has the keyboard dock potential for future.
Second option is I keep the iconia which has more storage usb prot feels better in the hand and better built, but also has dust spec under screen.
I am not sure what to do. Afraid to exchange the iconia as given the track record on all these tablets, I run the risk of getting some light bleed or dead pixels etc.
SO do I just suck it up ignore the little pixel sized dust spec and live on?
Do I gamble and exchange? DO I return both wait till availability on transformer is better and perhaps with time they work through the build quality issues?
Or just use nothing, wait a month and get the galaxy tabb.
One thing for certain is galaxy tab will have nice or nicest screen will be thinnest and lightest and by being samsung will likely have more accessories like cases etc for it.
IT will likely cot a bit more (not too big an issue) and might not have much expandibility which may or may not be much of an issue as there will likey be accessory to dock to allow usb host etc.

>>> Build Quality - The Good, Bad, Ugly <<<

Good : Well i love the new tablet and in hand its light and a pleasure to use, the Plastic back is nice in hand and not slippery and visually this tablet is great. But ...........
Bad and Ugly : Here's my issue with the new Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1
What is happening and i can see this being a big problem down the road of use is that when i hold the Tab with my left hand in portrait with the dock connector on my palm of the left hand, the thin piece of the housing is getting bent and pulled away from the glass and over time i see this getting stretched out. i think Samsung should have built the aluminum edging more webbing in the glass to keep that delicate piece from being so flexible and flimsy.
Anyone else having/noticing this issue or any other flaws, defects ????
Here's a few pics of what i am mentioning :
http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/204/img0528y.jpg
http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/34/img0529ze.jpg
http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/854/img0534n.jpg

Damn, and here I was pondering returning my Transformer for a better build quality Samsung. Shootz!
I still may do it though since I never use portrait mode and for the most part it will be on a stand, but still, it sucks to see that.

You must have a 10.1v
I have the Google i/o edition and the side looks different than your with regard to the placement of those round hole covers on either side in relation to the curve.
I think that on the i/o (hopefully it will be the same as the 10.1) it has resolved that issue. I am trying to hold it as you are mentioning and I see no movement whatsoever. even if i try to pry at it, it is super solid.
is your a 10.1v?
R

^^ No mines the 10.1

H0CKEY said:
^^ No mines the 10.1
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Same as the previous poster my LE from I/O does not look like that either. So what 10.1 do you have?

cosimoss said:
Same as the previous poster my LE from I/O does not look like that either. So what 10.1 do you have?
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mines from San Fran USA - Dev Conference , its the white back Limited Edition

Everyone needs to specify details regarding there unit if they have one. It is clear that the limited edition/early release galaxy tabs are not identically the same as the one yet to be released.

thats really strange, your tablet looks way different than mine which also came from the recent i/o event.
picture attached...
it would seem there were multiple version of the same device if you have the limited edition white backed then...
anyone else? which do you have?
R

im trying to re-create your picture to make sure its not an optical illusion, but your bottom half of the silver bezel looks so angular/curved compared to mine which as you can see from the picture above is much less curved. Espeically noticeable with the small round hole covers on either end of the connector, mine are not very curves, yours seemvery curved and angular.
???
R

three weeks left and still so many questions and so little definitive answers! oh the humanity
Sent from my HTC Vision using XDA App

RTessi said:
thats really strange, your tablet looks way different than mine which also came from the recent i/o event.
picture attached...
it would seem there were multiple version of the same device if you have the limited edition white backed then...
anyone else? which do you have?
R
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No mine looks the same from that angle , here's a pic
http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/84/img0535cj.jpg/

I don't understand - are you using it while something is plugged into the dock connector, or is just from normal use? Maybe you are just holding it wrong?

normal use , i take very good care of my toys hahaha
And no i don't have it plugged in when using it
if you hold it left handed its normal i find that the palm and strong of the thumb seem to put stress on the thin strip of aluminum and slightly pulls it away from the glass since on mine the thin strip is not any thicker under the glass as what i can see visually. so its seems to be a weak point of the aluminum bezel

Bummer i wonder if a port plug would help.
Sent from my Xoom using XDA Premium App

I am not experiencing that same problem, but the glass in one of the corners does appear to be pealing up. Link below. Hoping that this is as far as it raises, but who knows... I talked to the Samsung guy at Google I/O and had my first device replaced for a similar issue I noticed there, and he said this first batch was made by hand in a bit of a rush so that they would be available for us googlers. I expect that the automated and machine driven build process for the production units will have more consistent quality.
http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/854/imag0206a.jpg/

brianwilcox said:
I am not experiencing that same problem, but the glass in one of the corners does appear to be pealing up. Link below. Hoping that this is as far as it raises, but who knows... I talked to the Samsung guy at Google I/O and had my first device replaced for a similar issue I noticed there, and he said this first batch was made by hand in a bit of a rush so that they would be available for us googlers. I expect that the automated and machine driven build process for the production units will have more consistent quality.
http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/854/imag0206a.jpg/
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Harsh that looks bad. I think the quality of the aluminum bezel is to thin and over time with alot of use our holding styles will cause these kind of issues.

H0CKEY said:
Harsh that looks bad. I think the quality of the aluminum bezel is to thin and over time with alot of use our holding styles will cause these kind of issues.
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Just got off the phone with Samsung about this issue. They will allow me to send the unit to them for repair/replacement. Im just a little worried about going through the whole process only to find that they will send me back a unit with similar or worse build quality issues... Anyone else noticing problems with the screen raising up? Might just stick with what I have for fear of winding up with an even worse unit. Really was starting to fall in love with this thing.

brianwilcox said:
Just got off the phone with Samsung about this issue. They will allow me to send the unit to them for repair/replacement. Im just a little worried about going through the whole process only to find that they will send me back a unit with similar or worse build quality issues... Anyone else noticing problems with the screen raising up? Might just stick with what I have for fear of winding up with an even worse unit. Really was starting to fall in love with this thing.
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I'm getting the same thing. Mine was this way out of the box at the conference, and with the plastic back pulling back, it looked like the tablet was warped. I popped it back into place and it looked good so I didn't say anything to anyone at the conference about it. I probably should have though, because now the screen is separating from the housing again in those two corners.
I stupidly threw away the blue card they gave at I/O that had the contact info for Samsung, who did you talk to about getting it repaired?

Not exactly getting a warm fuzzy feeling from this thread. I pre-ordered online. Starting to think I might want to cancel that and just wait for it at Best Buy, if even the Samsung tablets are having build quality issues.

Oh no. I was afraid these reports would begin to surface on the 10.1. Some of these issues described Ive seen in the 10.1v as well, although my biggest gripe with these is the severe backlight bleeding. I have now exchanged this device with Vodafone AU twice and seen a total of 6 units and all have had backlight bleeding and inconsistent build quality.
With the first unit I received both right corners of the screen were popping out over the bezel a little. I believed it to be a problem with the adhesive used, because if you were to put pressure on the corner it would hold for a second then release, and you could hear the "sticky" sound as the adhesive separated.
All the units I've sampled though have had really shocking problems with backlight bleeding/leakage. If you're someone who planned to watch movies on this tablet in dimly lit rooms, you could find this distracting. I do. Its a shame really because I otherwise like the quality of the display, and both 10.1 models are nicely designed and nice to hold. In a lot of ways I prefer the feel of the 10.1v over the iPad 2. Too bad though that the build quality is questionable across the range of what is now 3 different variants of the 10.1 that Samsung has produced. What's the deal Samy?!
I'm not sure what I'm going to do yet but most likely I'll return this 10.1v to Vodafail for a refund and wait it out for the 8.9. Perhaps I'll have better luck then?
Sent from my GT-P7100 using XDA Premium App