Database Users

Blackstone Build Quality - Creaking sounds when pressed near USB port

Does your Blackstone make creaking/squeaking noises when you press the glossy black plastic area around the USB port?
Mine creaks like an old bed even with light pressure. This is annoying because when the phone is on a table and I want to press the power button, I'll press on the bottom area of the phone to anchor the device.
So far I've compared with my buddy's set, and his Blackstone needs much more pressure before it creaks.
For a flagship device that costs so much, I really didn't expect to see this!

Yeah, mine creaks as well. It's annoying but you get used to it.
Not only at the USB port, though, at the back below the camera as well.

Don't know about everyone else's experience...but mine creaks only after it gets a little warm, ie while charging, heavy use, etc. It doesn't creak at all when it's cool. When it's warm, it creaks mostly in the virtual button area and isn't that bad, although it did scare me the first time it happened ha

My case is deformed, so it makes a clicking noise, and I can press it in, below the Volume controls. Annoying as hell!
After trying it, yeah mine actually does creak when I press it near the USB port... But I have to press pretty hard. Not noticable. But the loose, discount feel I get from press the side below the Volume buttons is unbearable!!! :'(

My HD make also clicking noise below the volume buttons. Except of this anything else is ok. No cracking on usb port, no dead pixel.

BlackMonkey said:
My HD make also clicking noise below the volume buttons. Except of this anything else is ok. No cracking on usb port, no dead pixel.
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Still annoying though, ain't it? It's an expensive phone, I'd expect it to be top class... Really a big letdown for me. Reminds me of my Nokia N81 8GB... Squeaky as friggin' hell! Plastic all the way through!

I'll consider myself lucky then.... my HD is built like a tank. Noticed no creaks at all or pressure points. Way more solid compared to my old Touch.

imusion said:
I'll consider myself lucky then.... my HD is built like a tank. Noticed no creaks at all or pressure points. Way more solid compared to my old Touch.
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You'll get there. Mine was ok for the first month. Started creaking beside volume buttons and it was barely noticeable at first, now it's really bad.
It also starts creaking near the power button and in other places.

BlackMonkey said:
My HD make also clicking noise below the volume buttons. Except of this anything else is ok. No cracking on usb port, no dead pixel.
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Same here, creaking below volume buttons...near usb port...And 2 dead pixels! what luck

This problem is definitely a manufacturing defect.
I expect that HTC decided on a plastic back (which is also available on a lot of other mobile phones, but they just under specified the thickness of the material, maybe to save weight and make the phone slimmer, who knows.
However, it is annoying when it occurs, and HTC should provide a replacement cover free of charge.
The problem does seem to become more apparent with usage and heat.
Some users have reportedly strategically placing a piece of paper inside the back cover to alleviate the issue.

Lol-x said:
...HTC should provide a replacement cover free of charge...
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I agree, and I'd really be delighted if they did... Like jumping up and down-delighted.
EDIT:
I've sent an e-mail to HTC about this problem, as I can see many people are having the same problems. I told them of the annoying squeaks and creaks, and if they were going to fix it in the near future, free of charge.

yeah, here in china me and my HD users all have this noise.

mine creaks only after it gets a little warm, ie while charging, heavy use, etc. It doesn't creak at all when it's cool.

Mine creaks around the usb port even if I touch it there very gently. And it's becoming more and more noisy with time! plus it started creaking when I touch the touch screen firmly. I am starting to be afraid it will fall apart someday because of this. I have never droped it, sat on it, and I never put it in my trousers pocket, whenever i put it out of my hand i put it in this sock that came with the phone. So why is this creaking getting louder?!?!? HTC should do something to fix this problem!!!

yes mine too. beside the volume buttons and on the other side.
2 stripes of paper are the solution. I got normal office paper, cut stripes and bend it on double size, noch creaking any more...
but it's a pain in the ass to put the stripes into the phone...

chong81 said:
Does your Blackstone make creaking/squeaking noises when you press the glossy black plastic area around the USB port?
Mine creaks like an old bed even with light pressure. This is annoying because when the phone is on a table and I want to press the power button, I'll press on the bottom area of the phone to anchor the device.
So far I've compared with my buddy's set, and his Blackstone needs much more pressure before it creaks.
For a flagship device that costs so much, I really didn't expect to see this!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Shield your HD with ZAGG INVISIBLE SHIELD, it may reduce the creaking!

not looking forward to it
I didn't know the Blackstone had this problem. Although mine sort of has a few little spots that have very minor creaking, I have only had it for a week and I could see where it might get worse. But I have a worse problem. My vibrate doesn't work! And its a manufacturer's defect. I never dropped it or anything like that, I am very disappointed about that. I will have to get a replacement I suppose, but I do look forward to my new creaking phone, lol
blacksage

Mine didn't creak in the beginning but after many back cover removals it creaks like crazy. I just bought a new type of cover that is tough soft plastic and less elastic than silicon. It fits perfectly and really tight. That has stopped mine from creaking...at least for the time being.

defcon2000 said:
yes mine too. beside the volume buttons and on the other side.
2 stripes of paper are the solution. I got normal office paper, cut stripes and bend it on double size, noch creaking any more...
but it's a pain in the ass to put the stripes into the phone...
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Click to collapse
can you upload a picture of the "solution"?
thank you!

noris08 said:
can you upload a picture of the "solution"?
thank you!
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Click to collapse
This is my solution.
The creaking sounds is gone from the back cover part but is still present when I press on the stylus (the shiny part of the bottom) and around the charging plug.
My Touch Pro had the same problem with plastic parts that could be pressed in.
Too bad that devices in the price range have this problem.
Pretty much all HTC devices have had some kind of build problem sine the beginning of when they started releasing phones. Dust problems on the screen (behind the front cover) were quite common back in the days.

Defective Bezel Seal And Defective Digitizer Seal.

My MyTouch 3G Slide has a couple defects. The bezel or plastic housing that surrounds the upper portion of the device surrounding the screen has gaps in it around the seam that allows dust or any small particulate to enter under the screen. I have looked at several of the devices and they all have it to one degree or another. For instance, on my Slide I have 3 of these holes one of which has allowed a grain of sand under my screen. My wife's Slide has 4 of these holes or gaps and they are substantial on her phone. One XDA member has had this happen in the same spot that both my wife and my Slides are collecting dust.
While the light leaks or gaps in the bezel are a problem (for me) I think the real problem lies in the adhesive strip that connects the digitizer to the LCD screen. The way the digitizer is adhered to the LCD there shouldn't be any way for dust to have gotten in between the two pieces of hardware. I'd like to believe that it was just my particular phone but my wife's phone is having the exact same issue.
The phone really is phenomenal and I'm sure it was just a fluke that I've had issues (hoping so). Just keep an eye out for any issues similar to what I've mentioned above. I have really gone back and forth with this and I am definitely disappointed with having an issue(s) right out of the gate. My wife really likes the phone and after giving it some thought I like it as well ... a lot. I will return and reorder another couple Slides because this device is that awesome. Thanks for your thoughts/contributions to the thread.

I've tried to get some photos of the gaps but they are small and hard to photograph. To inspect your device: Go into a dark area and pull up your contacts, messaging app or a white web page in the browser with full screen brightness and inspect the seam of the plastic housing surrounding the touch screen on the top half of the slide. The gaps are almost like rectangular notches just below/above the corners of the screen in the seam. My theory is that these are artifacts from the plastic molding process that were exacerbated by poor/hasty assembly. I am definitely returning my Slides.

Its all true. After reading, and seeing the image posted by another member here, I checked my phone. I went into a dark room, opened up a site that has pretty much a white page, and I too noticed a gap at the bottom right hand corner of my screen. As of right now no dust/dirt has shown up under my screen, but what's to say that it won't later on. Heck, screw dirt. What if moisture finds its way in, and starts to fog up the screen from within? This could be a major problem later on down the road.

whew... just checked mine, noticed nothing like that, thank goodness.

[email protected] said:
whew... just checked mine, noticed nothing like that, thank goodness.
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Strange, I've confirmed with everyone I know with a Slide (only black and white thus far) and everyone is seeing the same thing. What color Slide did you get? I wonder if the red Slide is manufactured differently? Anyway, that is awesome because I think the phone is GREAT other than the small gaps in the bezel.
I will say I took some compressed air and attempted to move the artifact under my screen just to see if air was moving through those gaps. The grain of sand or whatever it is did not budge. I'm just not sure what to think. I hate the idea of returning this phone ...

Mine is like that. Not that i care much as im returning it soon. But it does have gaps and light leakage all over the bottom of the screen, near the buttons.

i just check my and maybe i cant see it but i havent found anything... i have a red one

Re: My MT3G Slides (and others) Have A Defective Touch Screen Bezel
Initialy checked mine as well, black. I don't appear to have this problem either.
I will inspect further to verify.
Sent from my T-Mobile myTouch 3G Slide using Tapatalk

The only one I have is at the very bottom of the buttons, which might even just be the light hitting the glass at a specific angle. Other than that, no light leaks/cracks/blocks/whatever you call them on my screen area. Red Espresso.

I just swapped my white MTS for a Black one with no signs of cracks or light showing threw. TMO rep did not know of this problem and said he would send out an e-mail to other reps to let them know.

My day is now ruined
Yep, both bottom sides, right at the corners, above the buttons. I will not return it though, think instead a lil duct tape and some JB weld will do (seriously, a little touch of black silicon for a good seal, still sucks though). Screen cover seems to be blocking any dirt at the moment.

woow good looking out.. i was wondering how a spec of dust got to my screen. im planning on putting a piece of scotch tape over those regions (i have a red slide btw).

I have a red one and didn't see any leaks bottom or top. Thank goodness!

mtjnkee said:
seriously, a little touch of black silicon for a good seal
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I hear you; I've been trying to find a way to keep the bezel sealed until I can get a case/cover for the phone. I literally have one tiny grain of sand at the bottom left hand corner of my screen. I so don't want to return the phone; I'm in love with the thing.
Glad to hear some of you have a better seal on the bezel.

I have some small light leak on the bottom, not an issue yet and I'm still within my 14 days so I might stop by the t mobile store tomorrow and try to get a replacement.

1. slight curved gaps at the corner edge where the top of the plastic curves down to turn into the sides. check
2. vertical rectangular light leak above home and genius keys. check
3. these lights only light up when hard keys are lit..when screen first lights up...light leaks are not there...once keys light up, light in the gaps light up. doesnt this mean the screen is sealed and there is no leak from the screen itself?
4. however, if you have a creaky top plastic housing, the seam running along the edge of the white plastic and grey plastic is not flush...on my 1st slide, i could see the screen light up in these 'cracks' of the seam...could debris get into screen this way then?
5. for those with debris already at lower left part of screen: pls do me a favor:
hold phone (sideways with back cover facing the ground) at just below eye level and try to see that left corner that is underneath the painted black surround of the screen..do you see white light when the screen is lit? if you look along the 'inside' edges along the rest of the phone, you will see that there should not be white light emitting out and should have a 'clean' look...there should basically be a solid black border...perhaps, if you guys have this white lighting show through, that could mean a separation of the screen somehow? btw, you do not have to be in a dark room to see this light along the inside edge....it is very noticable as the light comes thru where i think there should be no light. ps: when looking at the phone screen normally (ie from top down), screen looks perfect and this issue doesnt affect actual picture on screen.
my first slide had the light leaks but i didnt think anything of them as i thought they were related to the buttons only...but the issue i had spoke of in #5 above, i had this light coming thru along the whole edge of the bottom of the screen plus creaky top plastic housing.

I have dust under the entire screen of 2 Slides (Espresso), I couldn't notice it indoors but it is glaringly apparent when in the sun. The phones go back tomorrow. I've had my G1 for a year and a half with not a single spec of dust under the screen. I've had 2 MT3G Slides (Espresso) for 6 days and dust is under both screens; these devices are very cheaply made. Phone is lightning fast, screen size is great, physical keyboard is great, UI has some excellent features you can find nowhere else ... too bad I won't be keeping them. Been nice knowing you guys.

Seriously everyone be lucky that this is the only problem that people are having with this phone. You want to talk about shoddy build quality on first run devices, lets not even mention what the original PSP was like. If all that's wrong is that a few people have a bad bezel, then I'd say you made out well with the phone. NJAZ, just exchange them and have the employee test them at the store before you walk out with it, problem solved.

xenoletum said:
NJAZ, just exchange them and have the employee test them at the store before you walk out with it, problem solved.
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Well I have to send them back as I ordered them online. 2 phones plus about 5 other people I know with these phones have dust blowing in under the defective bezel. It's unacceptable. Like I care about a PSP. What the hell does a PSP have to do with this? You didn't even comment on your phone having the light leaks/gaps or not. What is your point? You think folks should settle for inferior builds of an expensive phone? You can ignore whatever you'd like. I will wait for a better phone.

Wanted to add to my previous post about mine not having the leak... I have the red one.

Clicking noise when pushing back and menu buttons...

I know a lot of people have creaking on the bottom of their phones, but is anyone else experiencing a metallic ticking or clicking noise when pressing the back or menu button?
I know it sounds hyper sensitive, and I'm sure it is, but its driving me insane... to the point that I don't want to use the phone. It has definitely happened progressively... started as creak.
I'm past remorse period and am rooted... also my screen is perfect.
Just would like to know if anyone else has this issue?

Yeah, a quick search for "buttons" or "creaking" and you'll find you're not alone. I saw a gentleman that had sprayed some lube, giggity, and it resolved it for him.
I had creaking on the edge, between the silver bezel and the white plastic. I carefully applied tape to the white and silver, leaving only the slight space in between; and then dropped some Gorilla Glue (super glue) in there. My phone/case/frame creaks no more.
My back button is starting to creak and I might look into the lube, again, giggity, but it's just the nature of the beast. You got the good display, so consider it a win, no doubt.

Screen raised a little bit higher than the bezel near the dock connector

I'm close to my 14 days return period at bb and suddenly I noticed that the glass screen on my Iconia is separating a bit noticeable enough for my fingers to feel it when I touch that section. It is the area at the docking connector side, the screen is raised a bit higher than the side metal bezel. When I pushed it down hard it flushed back in but raised again after some time. I never noticed it before and I've been really using it daily for more than a week now and only until yesterday I saw this. I feel really bad because I really love my Iconia and was really planning to keep it. I had the same issue with my HTC EVO, but I held on to it because I've read in the EVO forum that others have even worst screen separation and mine wasn't as bad. So I'm wondering if most Iconias have this issue so I don't need to return it anymore. I've checked the display unit at bb and it has same screen lifting around that section near the docking connector.
Sent from my A500 using Tapatalk

Same issue here. I noticed it the other day. I have a week left on my 14 day return period. Honestly it is not that big of a problem to me. I cannot push it back down, I just figured it was made that way. I noticed the demo unit at my local best buy was the same way. I do not think it is a deal breaker to me.

Yeah mine is like that too :\

MMm - no trouble here yet. Then again I was a first generation nook owner who never had a button crack, and those were hard to find ;-)
I take mine to and from work every day and use it at least 2 hours a day not counting weekend software development time where it's my test platform, so you could call mine pretty high wear and tear.

So it seems like it is common to have that slight lift on the screen and hopefully will not get worst than it is. I will just keep it and not replace with another one, who knows the replacement might even be worst or have dust like the others were complaining. I've put too much time setting this up and I really love it even with all the criticism it gets from other users.

I feel a slight raise on mine - but far from calling it an issue.

There's some dust particles getting under there now...think Staples would accept a return for that? Still in my 14 days. It's annoying.

Staples told me they would take it back for any reason in 14 days... even if you just decided you didn't like it.

cdkizzle said:
There's some dust particles getting under there now...think Staples would accept a return for that? Still in my 14 days. It's annoying.
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Oh no, I hate dust inside the screen. Was your screen raised really high or just a bit?
Sent from my A500 using Tapatalk

lol. There shouldn't be any question at all....take it back.

I'm not returning mine but this is irritating for sure

I believe it is designed that way, just as there is the gap between the glass and frame on the opposite side (where the microphone is placed in the center).
I for one find the A500 a great piece of hardware, and this doesn't bother me a bit... I actually hadn't noticed until you mentioned it here ;-)
Sent from my A500 using XDA Premium App

Raised here as well
Looks like an intentional raise to me though. The sides are flush and begin to raise about 1.5 inches in from the side of the tablet toward the center until it reaches it's highest point dead center to the dock port. Then back down by the same amount.
If it is not intentional it sure is a nicely implemented defect.

If I run my finger along the edge of the screen I can feel the glass being raised ever so slightly, fractions of a millimeter, towards the middle, above the dock connector.
Though as I look closer and use a metal ruler I find that it's not the glass that is raised but rather the bezel that is lowered slightly in the middle, above the connector.

All of them I have seen are like that, don't think its a defect at all.
It looks like it is easy for dust to get in past the microsd slot area as you can see the back of the screen through the cracks. I would be careful outside and in dusty areas. I am going to look for a sleeve that covers it or something...it should be sealed better than this.

I haven't had any dust yet, (hopefully never) and my screen is raised. (or the bezel is lowered)

I'm getting that too now. It's definately raised. I checked when the OP first posted this and it was not like this. Now I can press on the glass just above and slightly to the right of the dock connector and the screen goes down flatter. The raised area is not quite centered. I've had this tablet 3 days shy of 1 month.
Sent from my A500 using Tapatalk

Is the back cover supposed to flex?

just got mine today thanks to a preorder from PCWorld, love the device and software is amazing... One small problem, i got the black version and theres this strange flex in the back cover, likes its not stuck to the insides of the device, when held it clicks and when you release it clicks again like its sticking and unsticking to the insides of the device!?!? Has anyone else noticed this? Othewise it feels perfectly solid and good quality.

What areas of the cover are you talking about? I dont notice any clicking except near the power/volume button area.

the whole of the back cover seems like its not stuck down to the device. It depresses when you touch it and makes a sticking sort of noise. Its not obvious at the edges but towards themiddle it just gets worse. I didnt think it seemed normal for 400 quid worth of hardware.

Well mine does not make a clicking noise on the back. The cover isnt supposed to be glued on so there is some play on mine when I press some areas but not much.

steviesteve78 said:
just got mine today thanks to a preorder from PCWorld, love the device and software is amazing... One small problem, i got the black version and theres this strange flex in the back cover, likes its not stuck to the insides of the device, when held it clicks and when you release it clicks again like its sticking and unsticking to the insides of the device!?!? Has anyone else noticed this? Othewise it feels perfectly solid and good quality.
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Yea, it isn't iPad feel. If you squeeze it around the edges enough it will creak...just the design I guess...

Danny80y said:
Yea, it isn't iPad feel. If you squeeze it around the edges enough it will creak...just the design I guess...
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...stay tuned for Samsung's aftermarket interchangeable back covers...Only $59.00 each!!

I honestly have no flex or creaking anywhere on the case of my tab. I have really tried to find a place where I could feel or hear it too. My asus transformer has creaks and flexes all over the place and it is one of the reasons I am getting rid of it. My tab feels just as solid as my xoom, only at about half the thickness and weight.

Took it back to the store and the advisor agreed that something wasn't right. They changed it for a new one and when I got home the new one did the same thing but to a lesser extent. I guess its the payoff for slimmer devices and I will be keeping this one.

steviesteve78 said:
Took it back to the store and the advisor agreed that something wasn't right. They changed it for a new one and when I got home the new one did the same thing but to a lesser extent. I guess its the payoff for slimmer devices and I will be keeping this one.
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It may slightly flex, since it is plastic, but it shouldn't creek or click at all. If it does, I know in the US you could get a replacement.