HTC One Tear down - One (M7) General

Looks like it is totally unrepairable, even by HTC
http://www.ifixit.com/Teardown/HTC+One+Teardown/13494/1

this simply will build even more admiration for the device
i want it even more now :laugh:
Also i think they have missed the point of simply removing the speaker cover to start the process
Simply put, it's crazy...
despite the score, the article is full of praise for the craftsmanship!
HTC has said over and over that they wanted to create a seamless product, and the absence of any exterior screws is a testament to that.
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Our diligent spudgering appears to have permanently mangled the plastic bezel surrounding the aluminum case. It's possible that prying at a snail's pace while applying heat could minimize this damage, but we're not too hopeful. This phone was not made with open-ability in mind.
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The motherboard of the HTC One is pretty much encapsulated within copper shielding. Two flat pieces of copper adorn each side of the motherboard.
Here's the thing about copper shielding. It dissipates heat and provides electrical grounding. However, copper shielding is a pain to deal with during reassembly—kind of like trying to straighten out aluminum foil once it's been crinkled.
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The HTC One's 1080P, 468 ppi resolution rivals today's HDTVs and the 10.6" Surface Pro, but in a 4.7" size.
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There is no respite for the weary—even the rear camera is coated in copper shielding.
This is the HTC UltraPixel camera, a f/2.0 aperture, 28 mm lens unit with a dedicated HTC ImageChip™ 2.
It is not surprising to hear HTC bragging about camera specs, as their apparent Siri counter-marketing is Zoe, your personal photo assistant.
Manufacturing such a small camera that can do so much is a hefty task, and a shortage of these units is a big reason why HTC has had to delay the official launch.
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The daughterboard remains, but there is still a mystery left unsolved.
No phone operates without antennas, and antennas don't transmit signals well through metal walls. Considering that this daughterboard is on the receiving end of the motherboard's antenna cables and sits directly under the plastic bezel at the top of the phone, we're thinking it has something to do with wireless signals.
See those three spring contacts along the top of the board? They meet the rear case in an area obscured by the plastic bezel. If we had to guess, that's where HTC put the antennas.
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HTC One Repairability Score: One out of 10 (10 is easiest to repair)
Very, very difficult (possibly impossible?) to open the device without damaging the rear case. This makes every component extremely difficult to replace.
The battery is buried beneath the motherboard and adhered to the midframe, hindering its replacement.
The display assembly cannot be replaced without removing the rear case—this will make the most common repair, a damaged screen, nearly impossible.
Copper shielding on many components is difficult to remove and replace.
Solid external construction improves durability.
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---------- Post added at 08:51 PM ---------- Previous post was at 08:32 PM ----------
Engadget: http://www.engadget.com/2013/03/28/ifixit-breaks-open-an-htc-one/
Slashgear: http://www.slashgear.com/htc-one-teardown-proves-durability-a-top-priority-28275687/
yup still positive
If you were looking for the HTC One to be a device you were easily able to take apart for inner-bits replacement, you might not be all that pleased with the report appearing today. On the other hand, if you love it when iFixit gives a big shout out to the device you’re looking to buy for its immense durability, the HTC One might be the phone for you. It’s not going to be a device you’ll be popping open on accident, that’s for sure.
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With the release of the HTC One, the manufacturer has bet a whole lot on the hardware as a proving point in their history. With this release, the company known as HTC says that they’ve done the best they’re able at the moment – this is the HTC One, and it’s named that for a reason. According to iFixit, this device is just about the most difficult smartphone to tear apart they’ve come across – but that’s not all bad news for you if you’re a general consumer.
The HTC One does not have a removable battery, nor is it able to take a microSD card. It’s got a body that’s made from one solid block of machined aluminum with a lovely pane of reinforced glass up front. A collection of awesomely odd bits and pieces can be found in the teardown, including this fun selection:
• Elpida BA164B1PF 2 GB DDR2 RAM
• Samsung KLMBG4GE2A 32 GB NAND flash memory
• Synaptics S32028 chip
• Cable for display labeled with DATE: 2012.11.30
That last bit proves that there’ve been bits and pieces of this device ready to rock for several months now – the back casing of the device can be seen to carry the date 2013/02/15, indicating that some of the parts have been added as recently as the middle of February (for this unit, anyway.)
Have a peek at the timeline we’ve got below of fabulous HTC One bits and pieces, and don’t forget to check out our full HTC One review as well. This is a device that’s set to either be a skyrocket-ready spaceship to the moon for HTC, or one of the biggest disappointments for the company in their history – if it doesn’t sell, that is. Have a peek at our full run-down now!
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Considering its sleek, primarily aluminum construction we never thought the HTC One was going be easy to crack open.
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hamdir said:
If you really intend negativity from your post
i dont think you have succeeded, this simply will build even more admiration for the device
!
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Not at all, simply a statement of fact. If you send 'one' to HTC for a warranty repair it looks likely that you will get a new unit back.

packetlos said:
Not at all, simply a statement of fact. If you send 'one' to HTC for a warranty repair it looks likely that you will get a new unit back.
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yes jsut crazy but again
i feel they were too intimidated and simply failed to figure out how to open it
ie: speaker covers

hamdir said:
If you really intend negativity from your post
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The negativity is implied based on a one out of 10 repairability score. How much do you think it's going to cost to repair/replace a display out of warranty? Or replace a unibody damaged in a fall? Ifixit could give a crap about one manufacturer over another so they have no bias in their reporting. What they are reporting is that the One will be a very expensive phone to repair based on its design. No matter how much the following is true.
the article is full of praise for the craftsmanship!
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Meanwhile, what do you think the sides are made of based on this? It looks like some type of trim applied to the unibodyfor it to bend that way.

we already know the device can be opened from its speaker, so i dont know what were they smoking
and i didnt say iFixit is implying negativity, i was asking the poster if this is his intention, relax lol
have a look at the drop down test it will answer few questions
if iFixit is true and its not a fixable device, than HTC intend not to fix them at all and simply replace it
but like i said i think it has a way to open form the covers

hamdir said:
So really i dont know what to say? are you in full intentions to simply spoil the fun of HTC owners?
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Huh? Kind of shooting the messenger, no? Since the One's unibody was first shown off I've been curious about how it's held together because it's a very unsual design no matter who built it. Drop tests and tear downs give a lot of insight in to questions I'm sure I'm not alone in having. Sorry if the answer's aren't "fun" and I have nothing to do with the outcome of any tests the One or any other device are subjected to. I'd be just as shocked if another brand's device had a repairibility score of "1." And as I said in another thread, devices get the forum's they deserve. If once in people's hands the One is a "happy" device that's what the forum will reflect. After a year of sticking your fingers in the holes in the dyke that was the One X forum you should know that by now.
And "aluminum" as a material isn't what determines repairibility it's engineering and design focused on facilitating it to keep repair costs down. Here's how the "other" aluminum phone did.

BarryH_GEG said:
If once in people's hands the One is a "happy" device that's what the forum will reflect. After a year of sticking your fingers in the holes in the dyke that was the One X forum you should know that by now.]
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One X owners are happy, go ask in their thread
the one x been flying and great device every since the software issues were fixed with the 2.17 update and defects cleared TWO MONTHS after release
you are in fact extremely patronizing and insulting
comparing to the iPhone is useless if the device like claimed by iFixit was not intended to be repaired!

hamdir, do u have any idea how to remove the speaker covers? ifixit looked like they butchered the phone with an axe, there must be another way to have a simpler break down
BTW ifixit said it was all "A"s after the back was removed, meaning removing the backplate was the hardest part

jngtt said:
hamdir, do u have any idea how to remove the speaker covers? ifixit looked like they butchered the phone with an axe, there must be another way to have a simpler break down
BTW ifixit said it was all "A"s after the back was removed, meaning removing the backplate was the hardest part
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yes the speaker covers are currently falling out on their own in defected units and in drop test its flying easily, so really they didnt need to butcher it like this
they acted under the impression that the entire device is uni body and hence started with the screen, if you notice all the way through the tear down they never removed the speakers
its all hilarious really

Yea i noticed them saying the zero gap phone had a gap when they removed the screen. As far as I am aware the zero gap is to do with the back of the phone and the plastic surround after watching htc's video on how it's built.
Sent from my HTC One using xda app-developers app

BarryH_GEG said:
The negativity is implied based on a one out of 10 repairability score. How much do you think it's going to cost to repair/replace a display out of warranty? Or replace a unibody damaged in a fall? Ifixit could give a crap about one manufacturer over another so they have no bias in their reporting. What they are reporting is that the One will be a very expensive phone to repair based on its design. No matter how much the following is true.
Meanwhile, what do you think the sides are made of based on this? It looks like some type of trim applied to the unibodyfor it to bend that way.
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The plastic sides look similar to pvc cladding without the "gel"? Coat, ie look at the endgrain of the cladding strip.

Chipworks didn't seem to have near as much trouble with their teardown.
http://www.chipworks.com/blog/recentteardowns/2013/03/28/inside-the-htc-one/

delete

Hamdir: Do you have the proper disassembly guide then? As it is, this will be impossible to take apart to replace the battery or screen.

jngtt said:
BTW ifixit said it was all "A"s after the back was removed, meaning removing the backplate was the hardest part
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If you look at the pictures for that quote, you will see that they are talking about the QC from the factory who had written all over the interior of the case. Your meaning, while probably true, isn't what they meant.

BarryH_GEG said:
The negativity is implied based on a one out of 10 repairability score. How much do you think it's going to cost to repair/replace a display out of warranty? Or replace a unibody damaged in a fall? Ifixit could give a crap about one manufacturer over another so they have no bias in their reporting. What they are reporting is that the One will be a very expensive phone to repair based on its design. No matter how much the following is true.
Meanwhile, what do you think the sides are made of based on this? It looks like some type of trim applied to the unibodyfor it to bend that way.
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I like how HTC has tried to make the One more sturdy for customers. However, I doubted how the production can make a large amount of aluminum body, and now I'm sure it's even harder with this kind of assembling. Not very good idea for production

Gotta think about this one
hung2900 said:
I like how HTC has tried to make the One more sturdy for customers. However, I doubted how the production can make a large amount of aluminum body, and now I'm sure it's even harder with this kind of assembling. Not very good idea for production
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Chipworks didn't say anything about the level of difficulty with dissembling. Nothing I saw anyways. This puts a little doubt in my mind looking down the road a couple of years. In 2-3 years it will be time to replace the battery...then what? WE HAVE SOME GREAT LOCAL REPAIR GUYS, BUT WILL IT BE POSSIBLE TO REPLACE THE BATTERY WITHOUT WRECKING THE PHONE? Good question huh? How much would a 2-3 year old HTC ONE be worth, if anyone were to consider buying a used ONE?
My current phone, an ATRIX 4G, now 3 years old, had a couple of problems last year. The volume rocker mechanism broke and had to be replaced. I'm also not on the original battery. I have 3 spare batteries just in case. Carrying around a small 10,000mah charger from Ebay
(for $24.95) is an option. But really if something goes wrong with the phone (out of warranty) you may just have to buy a new phone. This means that you cannot count on any trade in value on the phone. If you can live with that, OK. But you still need insurance in case there is a problem along the way.
Just food for thought guys.

This is great! This confirmed my speculation that HTC is just using a single modem for Asia, EU and all other variants of the HTC One! Thanks to the MDM9215M chipset it has!
What it means is
LTE:
EU: 800/1800/2600 MHz
US (AT&T): 700/850/AWS/1900 MHz
US (TMO): 700/AWS MHz
US (Sprint): 1900 MHz
Asia: 1800/2600 Mhz
is only 1 single phone.
So yeah we could cross flash basebands to unlock certain bands. US carriers could purchase the HTC One from Europe then when S-Off is already available they could just flash a baseband of the US model then they should have LTE instantly. Or better yet it's already a world phone by default. Since they are using the same modem chipset with the likes of Xperia Z & ZL.

Lol, to me that only means "don't try it at home":good:

Related

g1 in a sidekick body

would something like this be possible?
jeremycool said:
would something like this be possible?
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Why......?
...G1's are only like 150 dollars on ebay, I don't think so.
protomanez said:
...G1's are only like 150 dollars on ebay, I don't think so.
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.... now that is about the most pointlessly unrelated statement I've ever heard.
lbcoder said:
.... now that is about the most pointlessly unrelated statement I've ever heard.
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SO is yours
Coderedpl said:
SO is yours
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I know you are but what am I?
Children -.-
@Op...
..No.
Anything is possible.
The real question is "is setting out on such an endeavor worth the hassle and potential breakage?"
Frankly, the SK2 was/is *the* perfect form factor for my meat hooks. I would love more modern, android hardware in such a form factor. Will I see it? Definitely not, even though a lead dev for android was a founder of Danger (ever notice how the two keyboards were similar?)
Making the G1's hardware fit into a SK body would be so difficult. Its hardware is not very modular. Only the radio, camera, and gps boards are separate from the main board. The G1 uses metal parts on the body itself as conductors (notice the black-painted metal strips above the battery. The screen is much larger. And the list goes on.
Anyone doing this would have to be an amazing wiz at surface-mount soldering and fabricating new ribbon cables. Again, anything is possible, but that's not the right question.
beartard said:
Anything is possible.
The real question is "is setting out on such an endeavor worth the hassle and potential breakage?"
Frankly, the SK2 was/is *the* perfect form factor for my meat hooks. I would love more modern, android hardware in such a form factor. Will I see it? Definitely not, even though a lead dev for android was a founder of Danger (ever notice how the two keyboards were similar?)
Making the G1's hardware fit into a SK body would be so difficult. Its hardware is not very modular. Only the radio, camera, and gps boards are separate from the main board. The G1 uses metal parts on the body itself as conductors (notice the black-painted metal strips above the battery. The screen is much larger. And the list goes on.
Anyone doing this would have to be an amazing wiz at surface-mount soldering and fabricating new ribbon cables. Again, anything is possible, but that's not the right question.
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thats all i needed to here, i love the g1 but i think the sidekick is the **** for the swivel screen

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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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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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...

The SIII IS actually polycarbonate! (confirmed)

Polycarbonate is used on the battery cover. Polycarbonate is lightweight, solid and is already being widely used in the mobile industry. It was chosen as the best material to represent the minimal organic design of GALAXY S III. Using three layers of high quality, pure and clear polycarbonate, not only is the phone’s aesthetic elevated, but the durability and scratch resistance is maximized.
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Straight from Samsung's mouth!
This is great news!
Source: http://www.phonearena.com/news/Conf...xy-S-III-is-polycarbonate-not-plastic_id30304
Nice to hear. But you do realize that polycarbonate is just another kind of thermoplastic ploymer (read: plastic). It's got some unique properties that make it particularly suitable for a mobile phone's casing and so it's indeed good news for us prospective SGS3 owners. But however we put it, it's still plastic - which is not necessarily a bad thing. The One X is plastic too... and it's just the material thickness and surface processing that is different from the SGS3 - matte versus gloss (or hyperglazed as Samsung calls it).
This is from Wikipedia:
Polycarbonates received their name because they are polymers containing carbonate groups (–O–(C=O)–O–). Most polycarbonates of commercial interest are derived from rigid monomers. A balance of useful features including temperature resistance, impact resistance and optical properties position polycarbonates between commodity plastics and engineering plastics.
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http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polycarbonate
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plastic_identification_code#Plastic_identification_code
They're grouped under Plastics as a material - As category 7 (Others)
So it's all plastic - both the OneX and the SGS3... just with a fancy name (and two different surface treatments) and I think that's the best choice of material for a 4.5+ inch phone to keep the chassis lightweight, flexible and durable, while also avoiding havoc with the various internal antennas that a mobile phone contains (as opposed to the so called premium aluminium).
I'm very happy it is what it is... and looking forward to playing around with one soon. Happy shopping everyone!!
I'm well aware that it's a type of plastic, but now we're just into silly semantics.
Gorilla Glass is also a type of glass.
Plexicle said:
I'm well aware that it's a type of plastic, but now we're just into silly semantics.
Gorilla Glass is also a type of glass.
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Can't argue with you there mate!
I wasn't trying to shoot down what you said pal... in fact I agree with you. What I was trying to get across was that I'm glad it's polycarbonate. Shuts the OneX fanboys up - it's not something exclusive HTC cooked up in its basement (unlike the now infamous Micro Arc Oxidation process), and is a very good choice of material as compared to conventional plastic. Obviously my communication skills need some work.
enigmaamit said:
Can't argue with you there mate!
I wasn't trying to shoot down what you said pal... in fact I agree with you. What I was trying to get across was that I'm glad it's polycarbonate. Shuts the OneX fanboys up - it's not something exclusive HTC cooked up in its basement (unlike the now infamous Micro Arc Oxidation process), and is a very good choice of material as compared to conventional plastic. Obviously my communication skills need some work.
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Oh, no, I wasn't shooting you down either! I thought it was a good point.
It may look or feel like a cheaper plastic. But the durability and functionality of it are really what matters to me, and I'm happy to hear that it's polycarbonate.
Plexicle said:
Oh, no, I wasn't shooting you down either! I thought it was a good point.
It may look or feel like a cheaper plastic. But the durability and functionality of it are really what matters to me, and I'm happy to hear that it's polycarbonate.
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Click to collapse
Glad we understand each other. So you're planning to get one then, I presume? Hope you have a good time with it.
Getting mine next month. Will be combing this thread for user reviews before taking the plunge. This place will be exploding with info and revelations once the device hits the shelves (look at it already!!) . Be seein you around. G'day mate.
I thought this was a known fact to everyone from the first day the SIII was announced lol. At least its cleared it up for anyone that didn't know.
Reckless187 said:
I thought this was a known fact to everyone from the first day the SIII was announced lol. At least its cleared it up for anyone that didn't know.
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Click to collapse
I'm not quite sure where you heard it, but I've been following every morsel of information on the S3, including the rumors for the past year. I watched the Unboxing event from start to finish when it was officially announced. I've watched and read every review in the last couple weeks. I've had mine on pre-order as soon as I was able to.
Hell, even a quote from the source that I just linked reads:
Everyone, including us, were convinced that the Galaxy S III was using a plastic case, but we just got word from Samsung that the phone is better than you think.
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Click to collapse
So, I guess the information was out there somewhere, but apparently I (and many others) have missed it. I certainly wouldn't say it was "a known fact to everyone from the first day the SIII was announced."
Reckless187 said:
I thought this was a known fact to everyone from the first day the SIII was announced lol. At least its cleared it up for anyone that didn't know.
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Click to collapse
Plexicle said:
So, I guess the information was out there somewhere, but apparently I (and many others) have missed it. I certainly wouldn't say it was "a known fact to everyone from the first day the SIII was announced."
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Click to collapse
Have to say that today is the first time that i've come across this information myself... wasn't common knowledge so far. This was actually one of the major bone of contention with the HOX users who felt that it was exclusive to HTC's flagship. So as far as i'm concerned, it's new info, and certainly good news.
Great news, but also rather expected
I have had the SGS 2 since it was launched in May 2011 in Denmark, and nothing has broken yet. The "flimsy" back of the phone is in mint condition after a freaking lot of battery changes. So it is hardly as flimsy as it may feel to reviewers when it's not on the phone. A part from some tear on the hump, and a scratch on one of the corners from one of the times I dropped it on concrete, there is nothing to see. It almost looks brand new.
I thought everyone knew that the sgs3 and HOX both used polycarbonate? The only difference being the sgs3 is glossy whereas the HOX has a matt finish. I mean, what did you all think it was? cheapo acrylic?
Having dropped the S2 and the note hardcore on concrete and asphalt multiple times, i can definitely confirm the quality of the said plastic
After reading S3 is made of polycarbonate I took closer look and you know what it actually looks the exact bloody same!! that is cheap plastic look, just what i wanted for my £500.
Consumers are so dumb (no offence ofcourse).
Polycarbonate is Plastic, we, the consumers just like fancy words like Polycarbonate and we're sold on the product...
If this was Apple you know they'd have called it HyperReal3DPlastic or some such nonsense and the whole tech world would have gone mad over yet another Apple 'invention', and people would be complaining why other phones aren't as good.
Yonatanl2 said:
Consumers are so dumb (no offence ofcourse).
Polycarbonate is Plastic, we, the consumers just like fancy words like Polycarbonate and we're sold on the product...
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I understand that you feel like you're being smart (no offense, of course), but polycarbonate is a type of plastic. Speficially, it's stronger and lighter (and thus more expensive) than your run-of-the-mill plastic.
http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-polycarbonate.htm
Plexicle said:
I'm well aware that it's a type of plastic, but now we're just into silly semantics.
Gorilla Glass is also a type of glass.
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Exactly lol. I didn't mind if it was called plastic at all as the plastic they use is more durable than any other materials manufacturers are using anyway. Polycarbonate does sound better!
ECrispy said:
If this was Apple you know they'd have called it HyperReal3DPlastic or some such nonsense and the whole tech world would have gone mad over yet another Apple 'invention', and people would be complaining why other phones aren't as good.
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Click to collapse
Nah, they'd have called it iPolymer or i something or other and if Steve Jobs were still alive and had made the keynote speech, he'd have said: "...it's just the best plastic ever..."
A follow up article from the same source to help clarify a few things:
http://www.phonearena.com/news/What...ung-Galaxy-S-III-polycarbonate-debate_id30406
Hyperglaze is just a clear top coat of plastic over the color coat. This helps with fingerprints and gives it a more liquid look.
After owning two Samsung phones s2 and now gn I can say having plastic is better. When I had my ip4 I was always scared to drop it chip it scratch it.
Sammy did well
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda premium

HTC One Black Scuffs

Can anyone with the HTC One in black confirm that it does not scuff like the paint on the iPhone 5? I currently have an iPhone 5 and it will suck to go to another phone that is painted black.
Not seen anyone with a black HTC One yet on these forums but if they exist I am sure they will let you know.
There is a short video on YouTube that answers this. I can't post links as I am a noob here but if you search for 'HTC One Anti Scratch' you should find it.
dimgl said:
Can anyone with the HTC One in black confirm that it does not scuff like the paint on the iPhone 5? I currently have an iPhone 5 and it will suck to go to another phone that is painted black.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
paulobrien has one you can ask him.
Or you can ask the reviewer from CNET also.
Andrew Hoyle
Black is not released yet but we have been assured it is anodised. The iPhone5 was a joke arriving with chips in the paintwork out of the box! While it is VERY hard to produce things perfectly and there may be a slight flaw somewhere on the phone, some of the iPhone 5s were shocking.
Scootmien said:
There is a short video on YouTube that answers this. I can't post links as I am a noob here but if you search for 'HTC One Anti Scratch' you should find it.
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Click to collapse
This is the video Scootmien was talking about.
http://youtu.be/_EWqPpYVE08
FWIW - I have been using an iPhone 5 since launch day without a single scratch on it (no case or protector). I do however treat my phone considerably better than most. It has never been dropped and is always set down on something soft, never on hard surfaces.
Again, it all depends on how you treat the phone. Under the right conditions, I'm sure the HTC One will scratch as well. Hopefully not as easily as the iPhone though.
rotchcrocket04 said:
and is always set down on something soft, never on hard surfaces.
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Click to collapse
I thought I was the only one. :highfive:
americasteam said:
I thought I was the only one. :highfive:
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Click to collapse
Lol - same here. My friends think I'm crazy when I grab a napkin at the bar before putting my phone down. :victory:
Bunch of crazy people here
rotchcrocket04 said:
This is the video Scootmien was talking about.
http://youtu.be/_EWqPpYVE08
FWIW - I have been using an iPhone 5 since launch day without a single scratch on it (no case or protector). I do however treat my phone considerably better than most. It has never been dropped and is always set down on something soft, never on hard surfaces.
Again, it all depends on how you treat the phone. Under the right conditions, I'm sure the HTC One will scratch as well. Hopefully not as easily as the iPhone though.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the video. And that's okay, I don't mind a scratch here and there as my iPhone has scratches as well. But what really concerns me is CNET.co.uk's review of the HTC One Black where they mention the HTC One is actually painted, not black anodized metal, so it chips even faster than an iPhone 5. That in itself is concerning.
I really want a beautiful Android phone like this one, but unfortunately there are some things that are starting to turn me off, like the buttons that are too pushed in with the phone and the IR blaster being on the left, as well as the 2,300maH battery which would've been great for yesteryear but no so much to today's standards.
It's so hard to find a beautiful phone that performs like you want it and has top of the line specifications. I had the HTC One X and had to return it due to manufacturing defects and other problems with Sense (goddamn I hate Sense).
Sorry about that rant, just wanted to know about the black scuffs as that would be a dealbreaker for me.
Cnet.co.uk review got it wrong, it's not painted. It's anodized for sure.
Op, can you change the topic to: .... does not scuff?
dimgl said:
Thanks for the video. And that's okay, I don't mind a scratch here and there as my iPhone has scratches as well. But what really concerns me is CNET.co.uk's review of the HTC One Black where they mention the HTC One is actually painted, not black anodized metal, so it chips even faster than an iPhone 5. That in itself is concerning.
I really want a beautiful Android phone like this one, but unfortunately there are some things that are starting to turn me off, like the buttons that are too pushed in with the phone and the IR blaster being on the left, as well as the 2,300maH battery which would've been great for yesteryear but no so much to today's standards.
It's so hard to find a beautiful phone that performs like you want it and has top of the line specifications. I had the HTC One X and had to return it due to manufacturing defects and other problems with Sense (goddamn I hate Sense).
Sorry about that rant, just wanted to know about the black scuffs as that would be a dealbreaker for me.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
iPhone 5 is painted or it would not do this
https://discussions.apple.com/servlet/JiveServlet/showImage/2-19682542-156784/iPhone5WTF.jpg
We are told that the Black one is anodized, but as nobody has a black one yet, we don't know for sure. It will be April before anyone has one I understand.
jonstatt said:
iPhone 5 is painted or it would not do this
https://discussions.apple.com/servlet/JiveServlet/showImage/2-19682542-156784/iPhone5WTF.jpg
We are told that the Black one is anodized, but as nobody has a black one yet, we don't know for sure. It will be April before anyone has one I understand.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
While I'm not trying to start a war here, because I don't know this stuff as well as some others, I do know that the iPhone is anodized.
A large part of an anodizing process (and it's overall resistance against scuffs/scratches) comes down to the type of metal and its hardness (tempered vs. non-tempered) along with depth, dye, and the finishing process itself. Anodizing is quite a bit different than just spraying some paint on something and moving along - however, it does have the ability to chip/scuff almost just as easily (depending on the process and materials used).
rotchcrocket04 said:
Lol - same here. My friends think I'm crazy when I grab a napkin at the bar before putting my phone down. :victory:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
that is crazy. :d
jonstatt said:
iPhone 5 is painted or it would not do this
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Click to collapse
this guy doesn't understand what anodized means...
"Now, after using the phone for more than a week, I can say it’s surely one of the best phones out there, if not the best. It’s got issues, for example, with the pretty finish chipping off, but I’m been very impressed in other areas like battery life and camera."
this is from one of the reviews. do not trust the video on youtube.
Don't forget the guy in that review clearly states he DID put the one and his keys in the same pockets for a week to get these dents.
epicfailguy2 said:
Don't forget the guy in that review clearly states he DID put the one and his keys in the same pockets for a week to get these dents.
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Click to collapse
but to be fair, you do carry other stuff in your pocket..
within a week is a poor result to be honest.
Silver is the way to go
to be fair i make a point of never putting anything in a pocket that my phone is in.
Sent from my Transformer TF101 using xda premium
[email protected] said:
but to be fair, you do carry other stuff in your pocket..
within a week is a poor result to be honest.
Silver is the way to go
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't. Never did, and the time I went to a show and put my SII in a zippered pocket I got nasty scuffs, when the taking out.
But the pocket with the phone, is always the phone alone...

S4 amoled screen broken

Hey everyone!
Longtime lurker/first time post here. I have had the very unfortunate experience of pulling my S4 out of my pocket to check the time only to have my heart and jaw drop at the sight of a broken screen. It seems to be the same problem that others have reported where the glass is fine but the touchscreen is cracked, starting on the right side directly at the power button.
I have NEVER dropped this phone. It has been handled with great care at all times. It was always in an Otterbox Defender series case. Nothing out of the ordinary has happened to it while in my pocket (bumping into something, etc) and there was never anything else in the pocket with it. I have really enjoyed this phone and was mindful of it at all times.
So... where do I go from here? I'm looking for some good advice before I take a next step in trying to get a replacement. I do not have insurance on the phone (yeah, I know), but the price each month plus the deductible for a refurbished phone didn't sound like a great deal to me since I'm able to take care of my things for the most part. If it was an accident, I'd bite the bullet and replace the screen myself or get a new phone but this either a design flaw or a manufacturing defect. Has anyone here had success through Sprint or Samsung in getting a replacement or repair? I'm rooted and running The Blu Kuban right now. Do I need to try to ODIN back to stock for warranty purposes before doing anything from here or is there a better option for me? The phone works but I can't see or operate the screen in anyway.
Any advice would be much appreciated. Thanks!
Google... 1st search result.
Are you a homeowner? Try your homeowner insurance. I added coverage for my phones, tablets, and laptops that cover all loses. I think it only added $15 a year to my cost and the deductible is only $25.00 on a replacement. Maybe your insurance may cover the cost of a replacement phone.
Sent from my icrap 2 using Tapatalk HD
Thanks for the useful reply Joe! How did I possibly forget to search for information on the subject before going through the trouble of making my first post on XDA despite being here for awhile?
Seriously... Read the thread. Its filled with disagreements as to what has been successful and turns into accusations of being too rough on the phone. I was asking if anyone here has successfully gotten their phone replaced and what to best method of going back to stock would be without being able to use the screen at all.
Cruise350 - Thanks alot for the suggestion man, but I'm not a homeowner.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using XDA Premium HD app
I know when I got my replacement for my evo 3d it wasnt refurbished it wasn brandnew still in the box and seals were not touch.Im hoping that the flaws in the screens are just because it was early in production.
Sent from my SPH-L720 using Tapatalk 2
SierraGT said:
Cruise350 - Thanks alot for the suggestion man, but I'm not a homeowner.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using XDA Premium HD app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
More and more insurance companies are offering tech insurance and it is very affordable. I don't carry Sprint's insurance either (bad experience many years ago) I generally just keep my newest 'old' phone as a replacement in the event my new phone gets broke or dies.
It pays to shop around (or google) in trying to find good ways to insure devices. I realize this doesn't help you in your current predicament but perhaps for future reference.
You might search youtube for similar experiences which might tell you how they were fixed or offer affordable solutions for replacement.
Good luck.
Search YouTube for complete galaxy s4 teardown. A replacement screen and digitizer and frame is about $241. I've watched the 37 minute process on the video and feel it is way beyond my skill and patience. I don't know what else to tell you other than insurance might have made this easier and more affordable. Depending on where you go, who you deal with, who you talk to, this process can be expensive and full of hassle. Might I suggest, when you do get a replacement, that you invest in a tempered glass screen protector. There are topics in the accessory section on this topic. It will help protect your device better than simple screen film.
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The one common theme in all these broken amoled screens under the glass are pocket users. Not one of these posts have come from someone that uses a case with holster. The gorilla glass on these phones is very strong, but the screen underneath can flex while in your pocket. I know everyone says they don't abuse their phone, haven't bumped it in their pocket, don't carry anything else in their pocket, but something that is happening is flex. With the plastic back of these phones they will definitely flex while you sit, bend, walk, or whatever during your normal routine. The amoled screen probably has a limit to the amount of flex it can handle before it fails. I know, you didn't abuse your phone but calling it a manufacturers defect is just ridiculous. Suck it up, fix or replace your phone, and next time don't put it in your pocket.
cruise350 said:
The one common theme in all these broken amoled screens under the glass are pocket users. Not one of these posts have come from someone that uses a case with holster. The gorilla glass on these phones is very strong, but the screen underneath can flex while in your pocket. I know everyone says they don't abuse their phone, haven't bumped it in their pocket, don't carry anything else in their pocket, but something that is happening is flex. With the plastic back of these phones they will definitely flex while you sit, bend, walk, or whatever during your normal routine. The amoled screen probably has a limit to the amount of flex it can handle before it fails. I know, you didn't abuse your phone but calling it a manufacturers defect is just ridiculous. Suck it up, fix or replace your phone, and next time don't put it in your pocket.
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Click to collapse
Just to clear this up... I did say design flaw or manufacturers defect. I've had many phones over the last 15 years. I have never had one break in anyway except for my Samsung Epic 4g, which took a 2 story fall (while in my pocket lol) onto a very hard surface. All it did was crack the screen a bit but was still functional for the next year until my contract was renewed.
To say that I should expect a $650 dollar phone in an Otterbox case to completely break to the point of not being able to use it just by being in my pocket in normal everyday situations is RIDICULOUS.
Should consumers really expect this level of quality? Imagine if a salesperson told you this as you were thinking of buying a phone... "Now just to let you know, never keep this phone in your pocket and then sit or walk because it'll break."
If this phone breaks in peoples pockets and isn't intended to be there, then Samsung would've/should've provided holsters with the phone.
Straight from Samsung - "Offering a highly crafted design with a larger screen and improved battery life, the sleek and innovative Galaxy S4 is slimmer yet stronger, with less to hold yet more to see." Sounds like we should expect a strong, well made phone. Not a something that will break this easily. My phone looks exactly like 4 other pictures I have found of other user's broken screens... all at the exact same spot. I maintain that this is either a design flaw or manufacturer's defect. Yes, as you said - the gorilla glass is strong. I just wish they would of made the frame stronger. Then I'd still have a working phone.
Btw, I am an unabashed Samsung fanboy. TVs, last 3 phones, monitors, etc. I talked 4 different people into getting this phone after I had it. I think normally Samsung makes great products with a high level of quality but they made a mistake on this one. I'm no longer looking forward to the S5 that comes with the required fanny pack... well, not until they make this situation right.
Now... does anyone have any info on my question on returning to stock? Thanks!
This is a tough one. I'd suggest at least attempting to contact Samsungs warranty dept. Perhaps they can offer a better solution than sprint.
Back in the Treo days I actually sent in a phone or two to palm, and got refurbished replacements.
The tough part is your defect.
I provide warranty work for appliances, manufacturers know or believe they know how and why something has failed. Glass stove tops are a prime example. Whirlpool will only cover heat fractures. I have to submit pictures of the top and, 99% of the time, the claim is rejected. Mostly because these tops break from impact or improper installation.
Point being, if you send your phone to Samsung, they may not cover it. But if you're optimistic and patient a few minutes on the phone may yield positive results.
http://m.samsung.com/us/support/service/warranty/SGH-T959HABTMB
Definitely unroot and return to stock.
SierraGT said:
Just to clear this up... I did say design flaw or manufacturers defect. I've had many phones over the last 15 years. I have never had one break in anyway except for my Samsung Epic 4g, which took a 2 story fall (while in my pocket lol) onto a very hard surface. All it did was crack the screen a bit but was still functional for the next year until my contract was renewed.
To say that I should expect a $650 dollar phone in an Otterbox case to completely break to the point of not being able to use it just by being in my pocket in normal everyday situations is RIDICULOUS.
Should consumers really expect this level of quality? Imagine if a salesperson told you this as you were thinking of buying a phone... "Now just to let you know, never keep this phone in your pocket and then sit or walk because it'll break."
If this phone breaks in peoples pockets and isn't intended to be there, then Samsung would've/should've provided holsters with the phone.
Straight from Samsung - "Offering a highly crafted design with a larger screen and improved battery life, the sleek and innovative Galaxy S4 is slimmer yet stronger, with less to hold yet more to see." Sounds like we should expect a strong, well made phone. Not a something that will break this easily. My phone looks exactly like 4 other pictures I have found of other user's broken screens... all at the exact same spot. I maintain that this is either a design flaw or manufacturer's defect. Yes, as you said - the gorilla glass is strong. I just wish they would of made the frame stronger. Then I'd still have a working phone.
Btw, I am an unabashed Samsung fanboy. TVs, last 3 phones, monitors, etc. I talked 4 different people into getting this phone after I had it. I think normally Samsung makes great products with a high level of quality but they made a mistake on this one. I'm no longer looking forward to the S5 that comes with the required fanny pack... well, not until they make this situation right.
Now... does anyone have any info on my question on returning to stock? Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
***must bite tongue***
Thanks Biff. I think that's what I'm going to do.
Dave, remember to at least nibble your fingers as well next time buddy!
Sent from my Nexus 7 using XDA Premium HD app
SierraGT said:
Thanks Biff. I think that's what I'm going to do.
Dave, remember to at least nibble your fingers as well next time buddy!
Sent from my Nexus 7 using XDA Premium HD app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
LOL ok, ok, nibbling fingers

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