Database Users

How many people have problems with the back button

This is the only thing stopping me from getting this phone.. I'm trying to determine how wide spread the issue is. I figured a poll was the best way to see how wide spread the issue was, and whether its worth it to shop around to try and find a working phone

Mine seems to work fine Its not as sensitive as say my girlfriends Incredible buttons, the ones on the Epic seem to work more like physical buttons but they aren't. You have to use a little force for it to recognize and I actually prefer that because I always found myself coincidently hitting the buttons on my girlfriends Incredible when i didn't mean to/meant to press another button

It is really a non issue for me. Haven't noticed it.

I think if you used one of the defective phones, it would have been obvious.. All the other buttons worked without issue. The back button on the one I tried wouldn't register no matter how hard or how long you pressed it - some times. Some times it would register for a light little hit, other times I'd be pressing down pretty hard and nothing. By the second or third time, you'd feel the feedback buzz (which was pretty cool), and it would actually work..
It was sort of funny, the rep who was trying to sell me the phone started off to try and down play it and say "I'd just have to get used to it"... until I gave it to him. In the end, he agreed there was something wrong.
I didn't want to make the guy try other phones because I was planning on purchasing the phone from my business' phone retailer... It would have been sort of wrong to make the guy go through 3 phones and just leave if I found one that worked..
Not sure if it matters, but what state are you guys in? I'd imagine that similar batches ship to the same region.. I'm in LI, NY

Absolutely never had a problem with the backbutton.
All 4 of my capacative buttons work with light taps AND full presses.
Its hard to tell wherethe buttons are when the lights time out, and you have to hit the button in the right spot for it to register. My nexus was the same with its capacatives.
beamed from the stars on a Epic 4G

While I don't think there is an issue with the buttons persay. I was doing some testing and seems there might be some "lag" I was having this issue more with the home button at times. One time after i knew i clicked it i let is sit. took a few seconds but continued to do its thing... So maybe its the same with the back button as well. Next time after you click it once let is sit and see if it proceeds.. that way we know its a lag issue vs button issue. A lag issue would be easier to fix I would think.

First of all NeonMonster, thank you for being awesome with the Nexus One back in the day of rooting it and changing things! Haha.
Secondly,
I had a defective Epic 4G. The back button was the worst of the bunch. I would have to hit it 10-15 times to get it to work. But it wasn't the only faulty button. All of the capactive buttons seemed to falter just about anytime I went to use them.
I went to Sprint the next day and explained the problem and she said I was the first to bring it to their attention. But long story short, she exchanged it and the buttoms work perfectly. There aren't as sensitive as say the EVO or Incredible but they work as intended and the phone I once thought was hopeless and I hated, is now a phone I'm contemplating keeping.
So there are definitely defective devices out there but it is as simple as going in and getting a replacement.
Thanks for everything you guys do!

I picked my Epic on launch day and all was well..my brother on the other hand just got one this afternoon and after we got it activated i hvae noticed his has this same problem.

lithid-cm said:
While I don't think there is an issue with the buttons persay. I was doing some testing and seems there might be some "lag" I was having this issue more with the home button at times. One time after i knew i clicked it i let is sit. took a few seconds but continued to do its thing... So maybe its the same with the back button as well. Next time after you click it once let is sit and see if it proceeds.. that way we know its a lag issue vs button issue. A lag issue would be easier to fix I would think.
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I didn't notice any lag... Again, I think if you have a defective phone, it would be obvious. A press just didn't register, even if you'd wait..

Yeah, there isn't a lag. It just straight up does not register any contact. You have a defective phone. I took mine back and got a new one and it works EXACTLY like it should. Night and Day!

Buttons work great.

I bought the cheap screen protecter at RS and had it put on in store, my button presses were instant. When I got home and decided I didn't like or really need the screen protector, I took it off and then my button presses didn't register as smoothly may be a quick fix for some that want to use a screen protector.

asiana_jones said:
First of all NeonMonster, thank you for being awesome with the Nexus One back in the day of rooting it and changing things! Haha.
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Aww from the nexus forum?? That was such a fun time! The nexus is truly a phone meant to be rooted. kinda miss that thing but the keyboard on the epic is too good.
But yes, there will always be phones that are defective and need to be replaced.

yeah i noticed some lag on mine. i also tripped out when then home and menu buttons were switched (compared to the evo) and kept pressing the wrong buttons.

its looking like a 50/50 so far on getting a phone without tis problem :-\

nicknomo said:
its looking like a 50/50 so far on getting a phone without tis problem :-\
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That logic doesn't work.
1. Most people that don't have the problem won't vote.
2. Remove the people on the last option and it's 70/30 (at the time I write this).

You might be right with #1 (I don't know), but as for #2 it is 15-14 for people who are and aren't having some sort of problem with the back button (or other buttons)..
I do agree that this is far from scientific, as people who have never used the phone are likely to be voting..

Only read because I had the issue
Yep. I think you might just skip over this thread all together unless you've had the issue. Personally, I got one phone with the issue, exchanged it, and got another with the same problem - although not as bad as the first. However, I haven't returned the second one yet and the problem seems to have gone away. I'm not sure exactly how these buttons are engineered, but I'm wondering if more people with this problem will simply see it go away. FYI: the first phone I had was getting better but it started out as more of a 70% fail/only work with hard mashing.

My back button has a mind of its own :-( it presses itself when it wants to. Very annoying.
Sent from my Epic 4G - Rooted for My Pleasure!!

My first phone didn't have a working 4g radio. The second had this problem and it is very annoying if your used to a working button I returned it to radio shack. My third phone is perfect in every way.(hardware wise) this was all in the first week of the phone release. I would deffinetly go back and return it.
Sent from my SPH-D700 using XDA App

[Q] Back Button?

Is there a known issue with the back button? If I open an app I always have to tap the back button at least twice to go back. I'd like to be able to change my mind a little faster than the epic will let me.

brewdude said:
Is there a known issue with the back button? If I open an app I always have to tap the back button at least twice to go back. I'd like to be able to change my mind a little faster than the epic will let me.
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Yes. There have been lots of threads about this issue, apparently a hardware problem on certain shipped units. I had the problem, exchanged my phone for a new one, which has a perfectly functioning Back key. Others have reported similar results.

Yeeeup! My first epic had the back buton issue.. its a hardware issue like the previous poster said.. take yours back for a exchange.. my new one works perfect.
Sent from my SPH-D700 using Tapatalk

Back button.
Can you please post your build date if you have an affected device?

RRexA3 said:
Can you please post your build date if you have an affected device?
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How do we get the build date?

back button
my back and home button were not working properly, went to sprint store on monday and got the run around from a really un motivated sprint rep and was on lunch so I did not want to waste all day. Then I used two other properly functioning epics since, went back today and simply demanded a new one and it works great now. Dont mess around, these phones cost way too much money, if it dont work like it should run that bad boy back and get a new one.

I'm trying to get an idea of how bad the "defective" back buttons are. I'm switching from a Captivate to an Epic and the Captivate capacitive buttons could be a tad touchy, so I'm kind of used to it.
I'd say my back button (on my just received Epic) registers 70 - 90% of the time - sometimes a little more, sometimes a little less. That's probably slightly lower than on my Captivate, but not by much (as far as having to press buttons twice now and then).
Are people with "working" back buttons nearing a 95% - 100% response detection?

evancg said:
I'm trying to get an idea of how bad the "defective" back buttons are. I'm switching from a Captivate to an Epic and the Captivate capacitive buttons could be a tad touchy, so I'm kind of used to it.
I'd say my back button (on my just received Epic) registers 70 - 90% of the time - sometimes a little more, sometimes a little less. That's probably slightly lower than on my Captivate, but not by much (as far as having to press buttons twice now and then).
Are people with "working" back buttons nearing a 95% - 100% response detection?
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We had a epic with a bad back button. If you have one you will notice a signifigant diffrent from the menu, home, and search buttons. If they all respond about the same then you don't have a bad one.
Sent from my SPH-D700 using Tapatalk

Thanks for the information. The response on the back button is noticably worse than the others (and again, coming from the Captivate I'm already used to the somewhat touchy reaction of the buttons in general).
I requested a replacement from Amazon - we'll see if it's improved.

For those devices with less than stellar response time from the capacitive buttons will this become worse over time or stay the same?

Home button making a cracking sound

I am afraid the home button on my SGS4 is somehow defective. It still functions properly, but it is making all kind of cracking sounds. It almost feels loose. I checked on a SGS3 and a Note 2 and none of the home buttons were exhibiting the same behaviour.
So my question to you guys is, does your home button feel solid or is there and cracking with light touch?
Please take a look at the video I made.

MaTiCeK- said:
I am afraid the home button on my SGS4 is somehow defective. It still functions properly, but it is making all kind of cracking sounds. It almost feels loose. I checked on a SGS3 and a Note 2 and none of the home buttons were exhibiting the same behaviour.
So my question to you guys is, does your home button feel solid or is there and cracking with light touch?
Please take a look at the video I made.
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Click to collapse
On mine, i can hear and feel a slight crackling noise with light touch without pressing the key all the way down. The button feels solid, tight and works just fine AFTER the initial press, but it bothers me that it does that. The shop people wouldn't consider this as a defect since it's so minor, but minor enough to annoy a fussy tech person like me.
Does anyone else have this problem?

Nice and solid on mine. No noises what so ever.
Sent from my GT-I9500 using Tapatalk 2

My I9505 is perfect but my I9500 has the same problem as yours.
Sent from my GT-I9505 using xda premium

Has it gotten worse or better since then? I wonder if it will go away after a few months of button mashing?

Just wondering (it might be stupid from my side, still...) did you remove plastic protective foil from the button. Usually it gets stucked on the button and it is hard to spot...

I switched my I9500 for a new one and the home button is now perfect with no cracking noises.
Sent from my GT-I9500 using xda premium

otacon888 said:
I switched my I9500 for a new one and the home button is now perfect with no cracking noises.
Sent from my GT-I9500 using xda premium
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I have sold my sgs4. I might however buy a black one once the Google Experience ships.

MaTiCeK- said:
I am afraid the home button on my SGS4 is somehow defective. It still functions properly, but it is making all kind of cracking sounds. It almost feels loose. I checked on a SGS3 and a Note 2 and none of the home buttons were exhibiting the same behaviour.
So my question to you guys is, does your home button feel solid or is there and cracking with light touch?
Please take a look at the video I made.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Same on my I9500. Annoying as S%#. Had it for a week and has not gotten better or worse

Dark5tar said:
On mine, i can hear and feel a slight crackling noise with light touch without pressing the key all the way down. The button feels solid, tight and works just fine AFTER the initial press, but it bothers me that it does that. The shop people wouldn't consider this as a defect since it's so minor, but minor enough to annoy a fussy tech person like me.
Does anyone else have this problem?
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Click to collapse
Yeah, I got this problem as well! Mine is not loose just like yours, but if you press softly on the button you can feel it move before the key activates.
Then, when you put the phone away, the problem returns after 10 mins of not being used. As if the plastic material "expands" and gets jammed. It really annoys me, because the phone was very expensive for me 800USD here in Denmark! And i expect a perfect phone for that kind of money!
Have anybody got a solution to this?
I am not willing to return the phone because they are only going to send it to get repaired, and I can feel it in my gut that I will get a phone back with more errors than before lol.
And how have it developed since? Gotten worse or better?

Seballe said:
Yeah, I got this problem as well! Mine is not loose just like yours, but if you press softly on the button you can feel it move before the key activates.
Then, when you put the phone away, the problem returns after 10 mins of not being used. As if the plastic material "expands" and gets jammed. It really annoys me, because the phone was very expensive for me 800USD here in Denmark! And i expect a perfect phone for that kind of money!
Have anybody got a solution to this?
I am not willing to return the phone because they are only going to send it to get repaired, and I can feel it in my gut that I will get a phone back with more errors than before lol.
And how have it developed since? Gotten worse or better?
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Too early to tell. It's really irritating though. I resulted in downloading a software home button to use instead (to prevent it from getting any more worse). Swipe Pad and Pie Control are both good at simulating the hardware home button - no root is required either.

i just noticed a slight cracking noise on my home button as well. It is more apparent if you press towards the edges of the button, and kind of seems like a 2-stage click. annoying

Dark5tar said:
Too early to tell. It's really irritating though. I resulted in downloading a software home button to use instead (to prevent it from getting any more worse). Swipe Pad and Pie Control are both good at simulating the hardware home button - no root is required either.
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Thanks for the information! I like Pie Control best of the two!
Although, the problem wont solve itself by avoiding the button, so i think i will press it even more, just to see if the problem persists, gets worse or fixes itself. In my experience the button has gotten worse over the past few days. The shop wont take the phone back because they label it as "self fault" (dont know the english term), they think I am the problem and have not taken care of my phone. This is ridiculous! I have now sent at mail to Samsung Denmark to see if they can help me!
RTbar said:
i just noticed a slight cracking noise on my home button as well. It is more apparent if you press towards the edges of the button, and kind of seems like a 2-stage click. annoying
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This describes my experience as well!
I have tried using a small tool to "push" the button around in its socket, but to no avail, it's still the same problem. This is really getting on my nerve!!

Seballe said:
Thanks for the information! I like Pie Control best of the two!
Although, the problem wont solve itself by avoiding the button, so i think i will press it even more, just to see if the problem persists, gets worse or fixes itself. In my experience the button has gotten worse over the past few days. The shop wont take the phone back because they label it as "self fault" (dont know the english term), they think I am the problem and have not taken care of my phone. This is ridiculous! I have now sent at mail to Samsung Denmark to see if they can help me!
This describes my experience as well!
I have tried using a small tool to "push" the button around in its socket, but to no avail, it's still the same problem. This is really getting on my nerve!!
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Let me know how you get on with the button and Samsung support. Really interested to know what the outcome is.

Dark5tar said:
Let me know how you get on with the button and Samsung support. Really interested to know what the outcome is.
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I've got something very similar with mine. It feels slightly loose and not the solid feel it had when I first got the phone. I'm interested in how you get on too.

Mine moves slightly which is expected, but no cracking sounds and feels solid
Sent from my GT-I9505 using xda premium

My home button does the same thing. Although I think it started after I tripped and dropped it at the top of a staircase and it bounced off every stair all the way down *facepalm*

+1
Power button is wonky too.
I'm really unimpressed by the overall build quality of this phone - especially for its price.
Oh well. "First World Problems"

My home button feels absolutely fine, on the other hand, my power button feels sticky and spongey when I press it, still works fine though.
Nothing like my Galaxy Note 2 which clicks when pressed.

Mine started "clicking" few days ago. It drives me mental when trying to navigate through at night.

Wiggly unresponsive home buttons

I came across a bunch of threads and videos on YouTube of people saying that their home button is loose, wiggly, and sometimes unresponsive. (as in my case)
My s6 has an issue where it didn't respond to normal pressing on the left side of the button, and since I'm left handed caused a lot of miss clicks for me.
I went to samsung today and they've sent it to the technicians, hopefully I'll get a replacement.
Here's an example from youtube of someone who has an issue on both sides of the button. (only responds in the middle)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R5IIAIl0Dfw
Since this is a manufacturer problem, I think Samsung should recognize this issue and replace units that have that issue.

Yup, had the same with mine, but only left side.
So many quality issues with this phone that I went back to iPhone6.

Apoxx said:
Yup, had the same with mine, but only left side.
So many quality issues with this phone that I went back to iPhone6.
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Mine is on the left side only as well, I'm not sure how the 14 days return policy apply to electronic devices in my country, I didn't even notice the problem at first, now that period has passed anyway so I gave it to Samsung under their warranty, hopefully they'll either fix it or replace the device and won't just claim it's not a real issue or something, it's a premium device that I paid a lot for, there shouldn't be issues like this with a premium phone.

They hand out refurbs under warranty. I would've kept it for something that minor.

I wonder if that's an issue that can be repaired though, like replacing the button or something. (using the manufacturer warranty of course)

Mine has the same issue. Left side presses do nothing until I get towards the centre. Right side is perfect up to the very edge. The button doesn't feel wobbly. But I put it close to my ear and tapping I could then hear the left side is rattling but the right side there's no rattling. I'm going back to the EE shop tomorrow about this. Two things concern me though. Is it possible to get one that doesn't have this issue because many people have said they've had a few replacements with the same problem. Secondly, I hope Oliv3 is wrong and I don't get a refurb replacement.

Roman5 said:
Mine has the same issue. Left side presses do nothing until I get towards the centre. Right side is perfect up to the very edge. The button doesn't feel wobbly. But I put it close to my ear and tapping I could then hear the left side is rattling but the right side there's no rattling. I'm going back to the EE shop tomorrow about this. Two things concern me though. Is it possible to get one that doesn't have this issue because many people have said they've had a few replacements with the same problem. Secondly, I hope Oliv3 is wrong and I don't get a refurb replacement.
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My first S6 had the exact same problem. I got a replacement with a fully functional home key. Too bad a third of the screen had a really bad case of pink tint. Getting a replacement tomorrow. I wonder what will be wrong with that one...
I am getting a bit fed up with the inconsistent build quality of these phones.

This has ALWAYS been the case with the Galaxy series of phones.
I had 7 replacement S4s, YES 7!!! Because each replacement I got had a fault be it pink tint, green tint, banding on the screen, wobbly power buttons, wobbly home button etc
I finally gave up on my 7th handset and made do with a defective power button as it had a near perfect screen.
So basically, I would rather a wonky home button than half a screen that's pink.
Think twice about sending in for replacement.
My S6 has very unresponsive capacitive buttons, the back button especially doesn't register i've touched it 25% of the time.
But, the screen is good, so I'm living with it.

Oliv3 said:
They hand out refurbs under warranty. I would've kept it for something that minor.
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Refurbished phones like Apple does? So if i send my phone that has a little scratch on the frame i'll get one without it? Because i have the wiggly home button that doesnt respond to clicks on the sides, but i didnt want to send it to repair and be without phone for a couple of weeks, but getting rid of the scratched frame would make me send it.

They repaired it, though it took two repairs.
First time they've replaced everything besides the home button, which was the problem I've sent it in the first place. (They've replaced the entire display, charging port and god knows what else)
Second time they've replaced a bunch of stuff including the home button. (Random stuff like "battery sticker(?)")
Oh well, at least now it responds like it should, it's still a bit wiggly but nothing that bothers me as long as it works well.

Dunams said:
They repaired it, though it took two repairs.
First time they've replaced everything besides the home button, which was the problem I've sent it in the first place. (They've replaced the entire display, charging port and god knows what else)
Second time they've replaced a bunch of stuff including the home button. (Random stuff like "battery sticker(?)")
Oh well, at least now it responds like it should, it's still a bit wiggly but nothing that bothers me as long as it works well.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Probs they send out refurbished products in the US only, you know to be on the same level of Apple. I think i'll wait then, the problem doesnt bother me that much.

Crooked Home Button?

Currently out of state so I'll try to post photos when I get a chance but does anyone notice their home buttons being ever so slightly crooked? Could just be my OCD but I'm going to hit up Best Buy when I can to compare with the demo models.

Mine looks crooked also.
Sent from my SM-G935T using Tapatalk

JoeyWhite said:
Currently out of state so I'll try to post photos when I get a chance but does anyone notice their home buttons being ever so slightly crooked? Could just be my OCD but I'm going to hit up Best Buy when I can to compare with the demo models.
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Not really crooked but the home button on my girlfriends s7e is lower on the left side and won't register when pressed. Some others are reporting this issue and could be related with the crooked issue you're seeing. If it doesn't impact functionality it should be fine but if it doesn't register when pressed sometimes I'd get it exchanged.

Mine is not crooked but the left side and right side do not register as press, you have to hit it dead center and press harder until it clicks.
Just got my 2nd phone in the mail (BOGO offer) and it does the same thing, so hesitant to go in and exchange it for another one that would do the same thing?

Yeah I ended up getting it replaced and the replacement I received today has a loose and very loud home button... Clicks even when you tap it. Tmobile is sending another one. Hopefully third time's a charm.