Database Users

220 Euros Repair for HD2 screen

I apologize with administrators of this site if this topic was
already discussed and if I am using the forum to address a
claim on this phone model. I hope someone form HTC would be
reading this forum so please let me also write this message to them.
Dear HTC,
mostl of us already know, HD2 screen is extremely fragile,
made of tiny glass, and we all have to keep care with it.
I did, I read what happened to other users before of me,
and I always was careful in handling it. Almost I thought it up to
few weeks ago.
Accidents are non predictable and it happened to me that HD2 has fallen from the bed down on the parquet and broke its screen in a hundreds of pieces. As for the other the phone was still working but unusable.
My first though was it is my fault, I had to be more careful, but after a while a really do not understand why a phone should be so fragile. It was really the first fall of the phone and the height was really short (about 30cm)
Why your phone should not have to pass at least a 30cm fall test.
Probably this should have been a condition to prevent selling phones to unacquainted customers. But this is not the case for HD2.
But the incredible thing had still to come, after checking the cost for replacement parts on the web (from 25 to 50 euros) I send the phone to HTC repair and now it is coming back with a bill of 220 Euro.
I have to say that this policy is regrettable, the cost for the repair is more than 1/3 of the cost of the whole device, and about 10 times the cost of
the replacement, event if the cause of rupture is not to be fully charged to the responsibility of the customer.
Unfortunately I had a responsibility on this phone against my company and I had to pay the repair at any cost, but for no reason I should have done it if I was the proprietary of the phone.
I had tenths of mobiles before, and really this is the only one who broke at its first fall.
I am writing this message not only to claim about this unfair repair policy that is demonstrated by the overcharge applied from the assistance, but also to warn all those users like me that use this phone as a means of work and choose their phones on the technical specifications and rely to the quality of the producer.
I am surprised from HTC since I already had three mode HTC devices before of this, and neither experienced this fragility in their previous models. But, this was not the case for HD2. Its robustness do not respect even a poor standard.
Finally I wish to warn other forum users about the cost actually applied for repair.
Best Regards
C.Alberto

I'm sorry that your screen broke and the repair was so expensive , but from first hand experience I can tell you the phone isn't as fragile as you describe it.A week back a friend of mine was playing ShootMe(game where you use accelerometer to simulate different guns) and the phone slipped off his hand(around 1m height) and slided for around half a meter on a parquet floor.I rushed to pick it up , ready to shed some manly tears for my 1 week old phone , but when I picked it up there was nothing except some dust(I had invisible shield so that probably saved it from scratching).Needless to say after that incident I got a pouch .Anyway , I'm not saying it is not fragile , it is ,just not to the extend you are describing or maybe I was lucky?

I can't imagine an HD2 suffering any damage falling 30cm onto a wood floor. I dropped mine recently over a meter onto the pavement, resulting in only small marks in the plastic.

Depends
I guess it strongly depends on the angle of impact with the floor, it it goes down with the back then could be ok, but if, such as in my case it impact from one edge, it does not match the height, the display will break.
I can clearly see on my display the the point of impact along the edge from where the break started, and I repeat in that case it was only 30 cm high.
I guess you have been really lucky in your episode, since mine was the first fall first break actually I experienced 100% fragility.
I had read alot of similar happenings before thinking I was alone and decide to write.

sending it back
... and actually I am seriuosly thinking to send it back, I have a work always on the go, and this is a risk too high in case of continuous travels.

Insurance
I bought mine unlocked, paid alot. Ins. was 85.00 for 2 yrs against water,screen, pretty much everything. I have dropped mine twice from 1m,no damage. I do have it in piel frama Imagnum case. Both times it landed on corner. Sorry for your lose,,,Quig

In Portugal I Payed Last week 167€ for Screen and Lcd repair...
Cumps,
Fiwi

Last night the same thing happened like it happened to OP, my hd2 felt from my bed into the wooden floor. I was ready to cry after it felt but for my surprise it wasn't even scratched at all. While taking it out of under bed it got some little scratches on the screen protector but no scratch on the phone itself or any other visible damage.
I will agree with OP here, it all depends on the angle of the fall.

Mine fallen from approx 1.5m onto concrete tiles. Case in the corner got scratched, but the display/touchscreen survived it. It was 30cms only indeed? Amazing

spamtrash said:
Mine fallen from approx 1.5m onto concrete tiles. Case in the corner got scratched, but the display/touchscreen survived it. It was 30cms only indeed? Amazing
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yeah, it always depends on where exactly your hd2 falls... same with the gayPhones...

FiwiPITO said:
In Portugal I Payed Last week 167€ for Screen and Lcd repair...
Cumps,
Fiwi
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Next time I will better do to send it in Portugal for repair At least it is 50Euros less

Did you had also the LCD repaired for that price?
The price for reparation of mine was only the capacitive Glass cover

Shattered / Cracked Gorilla Glass...what to do??

I just got my DVP a few days ago...
Today I dropped it (the first time it dropped) and it shattered the glass...
everything works fine still...it is just so ugly I would like to get it fixed...
What can I do?
I cannot find any replacement parts, I cannot find any repair shops for this phone also... currently I am on hold trying to call dell (hopefully they give me good news?)....
I am lost and disappointed -I cant believe I cracked it esp. this soon!..
well I am asking for your advice / comments / help on this one, XDA ...
please advise me...
UPDATE: dell said it would be 249.99 to get a replacement phone...
good deal? or should I just get another phone or something? I am thinking of going through with it to get it done, but if there are cheaper options I am interested...

Did you try checking with @dellcares on Twitter? Someone had a similar issue the other day and said @dellcares helped them. Not sure exactly what the outcome was, but worth a shot.

pjfan75 said:
Did you try checking with @dellcares on Twitter? Someone had a similar issue the other day and said @dellcares helped them. Not sure exactly what the outcome was, but worth a shot.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
no, but dell charged me 249.99 to send me a replacement device...
they told me that a cracked screen is considered to be out of warranty (I think it also includes any physical damage as well...not sure about that part though)...

erebusting said:
no, but dell charged me 249.99 to send me a replacement device...
they told me that a cracked screen is considered to be out of warranty (I think it also includes any physical damage as well...not sure about that part though)...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
you're lucky then. They sent me a copy of the posting on their community forums telling me its absolutely not covered. I could replace my 16g device...for $499.00. But they would throw in free over night shipping.

While it sucks, I think it's hard to argue with this stance unless people start to report widespread screen cracks. I've dropped mine a couple of times and no problems (~knock on wood~) and I have not read about a rampant issue with screen fragility, so at the moment it sounds like you were just damned unlucky.

My phone just fell at the train station and the freaking screen cracked. Damn. I called T-Mobile . .The rep at first didn't even know what it was and asked if it was a tablet. Put me on hold for over 10 mins then asked me to call Asurion and see what they said.
Asurion rep put me on hold for about 5 mins and then said it wasn't a supported phone.
I then called Dell Mobility. Lady told me $249 for a replacement. wow! I told her I'd think about it. Though it's half the cost I could get an HD7 straight from T-Mobile for less than $100 with contract renewal

alabij said:
My phone just fell at the train station and the freaking screen cracked. Damn. I called T-Mobile . .The rep at first didn't even know what it was and asked if it was a tablet. Put me on hold for over 10 mins then asked me to call Asurion and see what they said.
Asurion rep put me on hold for about 5 mins and then said it wasn't a supported phone.
I then called Dell Mobility. Lady told me $249 for a replacement. wow! I told her I'd think about it. Though it's half the cost I could get an HD7 straight from T-Mobile for less than $100 with contract renewal
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That is exactly why I have mine insured by Squaretrade...

erebusting said:
I just got my DVP a few days ago...
Today I dropped it (the first time it dropped) and it shattered the glass...
everything works fine still...it is just so ugly I would like to get it fixed...
What can I do?
I cannot find any replacement parts, I cannot find any repair shops for this phone also... currently I am on hold trying to call dell (hopefully they give me good news?)....
I am lost and disappointed -I cant believe I cracked it esp. this soon!..
well I am asking for your advice / comments / help on this one, XDA ...
please advise me...
UPDATE: dell said it would be 249.99 to get a replacement phone...
good deal? or should I just get another phone or something? I am thinking of going through with it to get it done, but if there are cheaper options I am interested...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Replacement glass from here:
mobilephonecrazy.com/modeldetail/Venue-Pro,LCD_Glass_Lens_Screen_.htm
I haven't ordered it yet. Looks like the glass pops out easy.

philippis said:
Replacement glass from here:
mobilephonecrazy.com/modeldetail/Venue-Pro,LCD_Glass_Lens_Screen_.htm
I haven't ordered it yet. Looks like the glass pops out easy.
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Click to collapse
Hi, so i had a similar situation this past week and I wanted to find out if you were able to purchase and replace the screen? Got the same $249.99 replacement quote from dell (even though you can purchase a new one for $300 from dell).
Please help!

Gorilla glass is supposed to be strong?
Guys, shed some light, as I anticipate gorilla glass to be shatter proof to most extent! I am amazed seeing this thread!

nauman said:
Guys, shed some light, as I anticipate gorilla glass to be shatter proof to most extent! I am amazed seeing this thread!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Scratch Resistant NOT shatter proof. Accept this now before something happens and you wind up butthurt.

you guys should get a warranty from squaretrade. they cover shattered screens and liquid immersion and are pretty cheap compared to an extended warranty from dell.

Dell Venue Pro replacement glass / fix
babaaketi said:
Hi, so i had a similar situation this past week and I wanted to find out if you were able to purchase and replace the screen? Got the same $249.99 replacement quote from dell (even though you can purchase a new one for $300 from dell).
Please help!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I had a similar situation - wife dropped and our small son stepped on her Venue Pro, cracking the upper right corner of the gorilla glass. The phone still worked fine, even in the impacted area -- it just looked ugly and glass continue to chip off. Dell offered to replace it for $250.
I found the replacement glass from the below site, ordered it and it took about 2 months to arrive (they were out of stock initially).
mobilephonecrazy.com/modeldetail/Venue-Pro,LCD_Glass_Lens_Screen_.htm
I successfully swapped out the glass today and it was tedious being careful not to break anything and lose parts, but not too bad if you're patient - it took me about an hour. Remove the backing and battery and there are 6 black screws to remove (one was covered by a white sticker for me). I just used my finger nail to go around the edge of the lower housing (not LCD) until I was able to wiggle and eventually pop it free (be gentle, don't force it). Then extend the slider so the keyboard is exposed. Rotate 90 degrees from the lower housing you separated from, being careful not to damage the cables that attach the LCD to the lower housing. There are then 4 screws that secure the digitizer / glass to the LCD and slider housing. Two you can see internally once you rotate 90 degrees as above. The other two are always visible with the slider extended (keyboard visible) but they're under 2 black stickers at the top of the screen on the back. I just used a push pin under the edges to pop off the stickers. After removing these 4 screws, again I used my finger nail working my way around to pop off and remove the digitizer / glass from the LCD and slider housing. Once free, there is a single cable connection to remove the digitizer / glass from the LCD. Check the replacement glass as a guide for where these last 4 screws are and where the cable connects (top of the screen near the speaker). The cable just pops on / off.
Ensure you clean the underside of your new screen and the LCD is free of dust / debris / fingerprints before reassembling! Snap on the glass to the LCD / slider housing and install those 4 screws first, then rotate back 90 degrees to pop on the lower housing and then finally re-install those 6 screws. Mine fired right back up and works fine...I was a little nervous with potential damage to the exposed cables and separating the housings, but it turned out fine.

nauman said:
Guys, shed some light, as I anticipate gorilla glass to be shatter proof to most extent! I am amazed seeing this thread!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I just replaced mine last night. A bit heart stopping at times as there are a lot of fragile cables and little thingst that can fall out but if you have a good light, a small star-shaped screwdriver, and patience, you can do it. I bought the glass from an EBAY seller in china. Took less than 14 days to arrive and the cost was a lot cheaper than the UK seller you see in the posting (I paid like $74, with shipping). My DVP looks new now. I tooks some pictures as I was taking the thing appart and will try and post later.

I was able to create a very raw an amateourish video for youtube. Hopefully you can use this link to get to it //youtu.be/pnOnYZDZfrw I hope this helps somebody out there that needs to replace the glass on their DVP!

philippis said:
Replacement glass from here:
mobilephonecrazy.com/modeldetail/Venue-Pro,LCD_Glass_Lens_Screen_.htm
I haven't ordered it yet. Looks like the glass pops out easy.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the advice, I'll check it out.
I've managed to get some serious scratches on my Gorilla Glass and I've no idea how I've done it as I am always incredibly careful with my phone.
How do you know it pops out easily? Did you see it somewhere? I'd like to see how easy it is to remove and replace before attempting it myself.
Thanks in anticipation,
Best wishes,
DaFfY
---------- Post added at 11:42 AM ---------- Previous post was at 11:38 AM ----------
Ooops! Just seen the video!
Thanks guys,
Appreciate the help.
Best wishes,
DaFfY

now what....
I shattered the front glass on my DVP and bought a replacement on Ebay from a seller in Hong Kong. I watched a youtube video and managed to take the phone apart and replace the screen successfully. If you do this, be warned that there a few pieces that are not attached to the motherboard that will just fall out. Be sure to notice where they came from. For me, a little board running the on/off button and the camera lens fell out. It was easy to put them back in their place. HOWEVER........
Everything works now except I see the letters "ENU" up near the clock, and the virtual keyboard will not appear. Do you think this means the phone thinks the keyboard slider is out because of something I screwed with while the phone was apart?
I just installed the Mango 8107.79 update, and the keyboard still will not appear. So I know its not a bug. The EM app (you get after pressing qwertyuiop and doing the "man machine interface test") is telling me the slider is open when its not.
What does ENU mean? Just be careful if you replace your own screen!!

nylonthread said:
What does ENU mean? Just be careful if you replace your own screen!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
ENU means that the next letter you type is going to be upper case.

nylonthread said:
Everything works now except I see the letters "ENU" up near the clock, and the virtual keyboard will not appear. Do you think this means the phone thinks the keyboard slider is out because of something I screwed with while the phone was apart?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, I think you are probably correct.
Mine says 'ENG', so I would guess it represents the language. 'ENU' is probably English - United States. The code seems to appear when the physical keyboard is pulled out. (It doesn't seem to be visible when using just the on-screen keyboard).

thanks....
Thanks, that's what I needed to know. I guess I'll take it apart again and see if I can figure out why the keyboard is stuck in pulled-out-mode. I feel guilty now, because I just bought a Lumia 710 to replace my DVP, but the display is nowhere as beautiful. The Dell really is a great product....

Galaxy S screen cracked by itself!!!!

Hi everyone looking for some advice.
Yesterday I noticed my Galaxy S screen wouldn't come on after taking it out of my work trouser pocket. Did the usual took the battery off and re-installed it. The screen is now black and not showing anything apart from the very top of the screen which shows some colour and fuzziness. I noticed this morning a half inch crack to the screen middle left of the phone which is internal. The crack is underneath the screen. Now I am 100% this has not been caused by me. The phone has been in a flip case since new and I have never dropped the phone or extreme pressure applied to the screen. The phone is in mint condition with no scratches what so ever. Took the phone to T-Mobile this morning as it is covered under warranty for 24 months and the phone is a year old. The first person I spoke to looked at the phone and saw the crack. They said to me that there would be no point sending it off for repair as it would be deemed as accidental damage. I did point out that there was know way I caused the crack. The person stated even having it in your pocket can cause the screen to crack if pressure is applied to it by other items e.g keys or if I pressed against it. The phone was the only thing that was in my pocket and it was a side pocket of my trousers where no pressure is ever applied. I have kept it in the same pocket of my work trousers for a year and never had any problems. The person then referred me to another collegue who was more helpful. She looked at the phone and confirmed that it was in mint condition with no scratches to the phone. She advised that she would send it off for repair but did explain that they could refuse to repair it or replace if it was deemed accidental damage.
I just have this bad feeling that it is going to come back with them saying it was my fault even though I know it wasn't. Does anyone have any views or opinions on what to do if this happens. I have searched the net and found other people around the world who have had the same problem with their Galaxy S. Looking at prices I will be looking at a few hundred pounds to repair it which I don't think is worth it.

I know you say adamantly that you did not cause the crack, But in some way or other you must have..
I know you are extra extra careful with your phone, Im the same as mine, But there is no way the screen could just crack on its own.
It doesnt have a mind of its own, It didnt crack due to stress, it wasnt poorly. You must of accidently cracked it without realising.
The best you can do is hope it gets fixed under warranty, Otherwise scout around for a phone shop that could replace it for you.

azzledazzle said:
It doesnt have a mind of its own, It didnt crack due to stress, it wasnt poorly. You must of accidently cracked it without realising.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah .. sure!
Let me give you an example of ... my car.
The story:
Windshield broken due to a small rock on the highway (the usual stuff). Went to repair shop, new windshield installed. Everything was perfect until this summer (2 years later). The windshield was still in great condition, no cracks, no pinches, no nothing ... as new. One day, during the lunch break from work I've started the engine, and in one minute after the air conditioner started, the windshield cracked. It was a very sunny day and my car was parked in the full sun.
Who's fault it is? Mine for miss usage? Manufacturer of the windshield? God? poor assembly at the repair shop? pick one.
I would say that the amoled will be replaced because its obvious no mechanical stress was applied ... it was just a faulty unit, nothing more. I have a friend who replaced the amoled screen, under warranty, due to 3 dead pixels ... twice.

ro_explorer said:
one minute after the air conditioner started, the windshield cracked. It was a very sunny day and my car was parked in the full sun.
I have a friend who replaced the amoled screen, under warranty, due to 3 dead pixels ... twice.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
wouldnt the heat from the sun, Then the sudden cold cause such thing to crack ? glass DOES break due to rapid temperature changes, Try this at your house. Put the hair dryer to the window on a really cold day and leave it till it breaks .
And your friend got his screen replaced because of dead pixels.... That is a fault, that was not his fault.
Its a strange case, but its hard to think the screen just broke of its own accord.

I was trying to underline the obvious .. sometimes things break doe to some other reasons than "you". It is obvious that a glass will be under great stress if you put it uncer big temperatures changes but still ... that glass was supposed to resist to such stress.
Same thing with the screen in question: the amoled is a thin film placed on top of some strong substrate. The whole structure is supposed to resist to certain stress and there is no way you can break it by miss usage unless you will break the outer glass also (gorilla glass + capacitive digitizer). So, no matter we are talking about dead pixels on a 2 months old screen or of a cracked amoled structure under the intact gorilla glass, the "cause" is the same : faulty unit (maybe is the amoled itself which has a flaw, maybe is the way it was mounted in the phone ... doesn't really matter).

Maybe your right, But the whole thing is still very strange.
Anyway lets just hope the outcome is better, and it gets fixed under warranty.
But you know what these service centre folk are like, They will try anything to avoid repairs.

Thanks guys for your replies. As I said the crack is internal underneath the outer screen so surely if I had damaged it the outer screen would be damaged. I'm not very hopeful that T-Mobile will repair it but I'll just keep my fingers crossed.
I will let you know the outcome.
Thanks

sandeept said:
Thanks guys for your replies. As I said the crack is internal underneath the outer screen so surely if I had damaged it the outer screen would be damaged. I'm not very hopeful that T-Mobile will repair it but I'll just keep my fingers crossed.
I will let you know the outcome.
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Does your contract have an insurance policy ? if so that should cover accidental damage (i know its not accidental, But they may say it is)
And if not, are T mobile fixing it, Or are they going to send it to samsung ?

Gotta admit its a cracking screen eh? [Nt]
:d :d :d :d :d :d :d

Unfortunately I didn't take out insurance. The phone has been sent away by t-mobile for their repairers to assess but they did advise that it probably will come back not repaired due to the crack being my fault even though I said that I believe I didn't cause it.

sandeept said:
Unfortunately I didn't take out insurance. The phone has been sent away by t-mobile for their repairers to assess but they did advise that it probably will come back not repaired due to the crack being my fault even though I said that I believe I didn't cause it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well if tmobile send it back UN fixed, Send it back to samsung, Is it still under the 12 month warranty ?

I believe the warranty expires this week or next so probably wont be able to, thanks for the suggestion.

If you get it back from T-Mobile unfixed, sent it directly to Samsung.
Maybe they'll still fix it. If they dont they'll probably will call you to tell you how much fixing it will cost. Start telling your whole story again and again, make them tired of hearing
If they dont listen, tell them you want to put in a complaint. Ask for an email adres or something were you can send your complaint email to. Dont let them send the phone back.
Send a large mail explaining everything, maybe put in some laws that apply to your case, like that it has to be faulthy when manufactured etc.
Also that you havent had any scratches on it and that the crack is UNDER the glass.
If they reply again with "we dont fix it" again send a mail with telling them that the phone is in mint condition and that the crack UNDER the screen came out of nowhere and that by law they have to fix it. Make them believe you'll sue them in court if they dont fix it.
Even call them if necessary.
Do everything to be a pain in the ass and meanwhile make sure they dont send the phone back during all this.
Maybe it will work, maybe it wont. But its better then giving up. Gives you a bigger chance of success.
manufacturers like dont like problems that take a long time. And if you proof yourself to be an annoying customer, one that shows he wont give up and do everything that they can to give the manufacturer a bad name, they'll probably think its better to win that particular customer over then to fight him. They dont like bad press.
Maybe they'll fix it, maybe they dont, maybe even they'll give you a discount at fixing it. At least you didnt make it easy for them.

Thanks for the reply. I am definetly not going to just be pushed aside and give up. If the phone comes back un-repaired I am going to complain to T-mobile and keep complaining to them. I will also take your advice and send it to Samsung and complain to them. I know lots of other people who have iphones without cases who do not look after them, scratched, dropped and are still working fine. Then the opposite end there is my phone which has been in a leather flip case from new protecting the screen. I have never dropped it and it doesn't have a scratch on it. Really annoying!

Really there is only one reason a screen/windowzsheet of glass whatever will crack and that is due to force. Force of some sorts was applied to the screen and honestly, as much as you don't want to hear it, it was almost certainly because you leaned on in it. In the pocket and your next a desk, or a chair, and you wouldn't even know its happened 9/10 until you take the phone out to use it. Often the phone will still be "functional " except for the dark screen so you can still feel it vibrate with may's so it could be some hours later before you realise. Another possibility is it was a previous drop or bump that wasn't enough to do it there and then and has simply hit breaking point on this unfortunate day. :'( other causes are to much pressure when a replacement is fitted, as happens with car screens more often than you would think, all it takes is the smallest little bit of awkward pressure and sure enough. Extremely rare for this to happen on a phone as the screens are mounted and held in place in a fundamentally different way.
I've worked in phone shops and car dealerships to qualify my above statements and honestly for all the hassle you are going to face, from people like me mostly, that it simply doesn't break on its own and you being aware of the force is a mute point. The fact is the force was applied and the screen broke. You knowing it happened or even being responsible is not the point, the point is was it a manufacturing error that caused it. They gonna say no and its going to really piss you off and when all is said and done you'll wish you just got a new screen off eBay and fitted it yourself or found someone local who does it.
Just saying is all...
Hope you find a solution mate and I'm sorry if it seems cold but dem de facts....
Sent from my GT-P1000

Hello guys i am new so i have a quick question.I see there and there someone complaing for broken screen on samsung galaxy from itself is this some general case like some HTC or just 1 in 1 000 000?I buying samsung galaxy s or google nexus s (s lcd) depending on your answear?
Sory mate for posting in your thread but this is prety much connected with your problem.

Any news on your issue ?

@OP, Any update??

Update
T-Mobile repair centre emailed me last week stating that the repair was out of warranty as it is physical damage and they quoted £138 to fix. I refused the quote and asked for the phone to be returned to the shop. In the meantime I wrote a letter of complaint to T-Mobile. I picked up my phone a couple of days ago from the shop. Yesterday morning received a phone call from a really nice lady at T-Mobile complaints investigation team. I explained to her the whole situation and she immediately said without disputing it that they would replace the phone free of charge for a new one. Hopefully it is arriving tomorrow - RESULT!

sandeept said:
Update
T-Mobile repair centre emailed me last week stating that the repair was out of warranty as it is physical damage and they quoted £138 to fix. I refused the quote and asked for the phone to be returned to the shop. In the meantime I wrote a letter of complaint to T-Mobile. I picked up my phone a couple of days ago from the shop. Yesterday morning received a phone call from a really nice lady at T-Mobile complaints investigation team. I explained to her the whole situation and she immediately said without disputing it that they would replace the phone free of charge for a new one. Hopefully it is arriving tomorrow - RESULT!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
WOW !!! that truly is a result ... Great news man ! I Highly highly doubted you would get any help considering the extremity of the circumstances.... its like a 1/10000 chance of that happening lol.
Buts its great that you are getting a new phone and havent been left with a HUGE bill.
a little moaning and complaining can go a very loooooooong way

Crap. Need phone replacement/repair options.

My S4 screen got two hairline cracks about a month ago and expanded a little. The phone was working fine but this was bugging me. I went to Amazon and purchased a new OEM replacement glass (cost me $4; skeptical on the OEM claims). Anyway I removed the old glass successfully with a heat gun and a plastic iPhone tool and removed all the old adhesive off.
Being stupid I peeled the black adhesive and balled it up. I went to put on the new glass and I realized the new glass doesn't come with adhesive on it. After installing it I then realized that I actually cracked the LCD (I guess from the pressure when I was pressing a bit on the glass to make contact with the adhesive I thought came on the glass). Anyway, my phone doesn't turn on now (screen is dead) although the phone still works. I removed the screen again and threw everything in a box.
I'm without my personal phone now and I'm stuck using my company phone for the time being for personal stuff. I looked at Amazon and the replacement LCD is $200. I'm not on a contract with this phone and don't want to sign a contract with AT&T or I lose my current minute package I have. I purchased this device from Craigslist from some guy for $400 a couple of months back.
What is the best route to repair this? Keep in mind I don't have insurance since I purchased this outright. This is the 32GB model. Should I just sell it AS-IS on Craigslist? How much should I ask?
By the way I think Gorilla Glass is BS. My phone fell about 4 inches on the ground and got two cracks.

Android300ZX said:
My S4 screen got two hairline cracks about a month ago and expanded a little. The phone was working fine but this was bugging me. I went to Amazon and purchased a new OEM replacement glass (cost me $4; skeptical on the OEM claims). Anyway I removed the old glass successfully with a heat gun and a plastic iPhone tool and removed all the old adhesive off.
Being stupid I peeled the black adhesive and balled it up. I went to put on the new glass and I realized the new glass doesn't come with adhesive on it. After installing it I then realized that I actually cracked the LCD (I guess from the pressure when I was pressing a bit on the glass to make contact with the adhesive I thought came on the glass). Anyway, my phone doesn't turn on now (screen is dead) although the phone still works. I removed the screen again and threw everything in a box.
I'm without my personal phone now and I'm stuck using my company phone for the time being for personal stuff. I looked at Amazon and the replacement LCD is $200. I'm not on a contract with this phone and don't want to sign a contract with AT&T or I lose my current minute package I have. I purchased this device from Craigslist from some guy for $400 a couple of months back.
What is the best route to repair this? Keep in mind I don't have insurance since I purchased this outright. This is the 32GB model. Should I just sell it AS-IS on Craigslist? How much should I ask?
By the way I think Gorilla Glass is BS. My phone fell about 4 inches on the ground and got two cracks.
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Click to collapse
Sell it as-is, ask around $150 - $200... someone who knows how to fix it will gobble it up. Take that money and spend a little extra and buy a Nexus 5 from Google. At least this is what I'd do...

If you really intend on keeping it.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Duc3v5Kgn-A

NighthawkXL said:
Sell it as-is, ask around $150 - $200... someone who knows how to fix it will gobble it up. Take that money and spend a little extra and buy a Nexus 5 from Google. At least this is what I'd do...
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Click to collapse
Agreed. I'd rather have the Nexus 5 anyway.
Really sorry to hear about your phone though. I personally wouldn't risk replacing the LCD, you may break something else while inside..

If anybody wants to buy it let me know via PM. If not, I'll just hang on to it until the S5 comes out. I'm sure the price of the LED screen will drop.
I purchased another S4 (16GB model in White). It sucks because the broken one is a 32GB.

Update: Sold the phone to some guy who owns a cell phone shop for $175. Not bad.

$199 replacement- should I do it?

So here is the situation. My PH-1, defying logic, has a cracked screen despite me having a case and a screen protector on it. It started out as a hairline crack at the top of the screen but also with a fair amount of corner damage. What doesn't make any sense is that before I purchased the case and screen protector the phone survived quite a few drops without a scratch. Yesterday I dropped it again, on its back, and upon turning the phone over know it is really shattered. Still works but it is in rough shape.
I scored the phone on the Sprint deal at 145 plus the camera so I can't really complain if I have to spend another 199 to have a new phone. The problem is, I don't want to spend another 199 if the same thing is going to happen again. I have never had a phone crack with both a case and a screen protector installed before. That being said, the screen protector was a poor fit and did not cover the corners at all. It almost seems as if the case had a negative effect which is also very odd. No damage before installing the case.
Just wondering if this is a rare occasion or if it is common.
I really like the phone and I want the company to succeed. But if they are this fragile I would probably pick up an LG or an HTC.
I am on Verizon so a One Plus isn't an option.

chiadrum said:
So here is the situation. My PH-1, defying logic, has a cracked screen despite me having a case and a screen protector on it. It started out as a hairline crack at the top of the screen but also with a fair amount of corner damage. What doesn't make any sense is that before I purchased the case and screen protector the phone survived quite a few drops without a scratch. Yesterday I dropped it again, on its back, and upon turning the phone over know it is really shattered. Still works but it is in rough shape.
I scored the phone on the Sprint deal at 145 plus the camera so I can't really complain if I have to spend another 199 to have a new phone. The problem is, I don't want to spend another 199 if the same thing is going to happen again. I have never had a phone crack with both a case and a screen protector installed before. That being said, the screen protector was a poor fit and did not cover the corners at all. It almost seems as if the case had a negative effect which is also very odd. No damage before installing the case.
Just wondering if this is a rare occasion or if it is common.
I really like the phone and I want the company to succeed. But if they are this fragile I would probably pick up an LG or an HTC.
I am on Verizon so a One Plus isn't an option.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think what happened to you is a one off. You should go buy a lotto ticket maybe? On the bright side, you'd still be paying less than what I paid for 1 PH-1 with the 360 cam, used. I bought my combo from swappa in mint condition for $390. You're only at $344, and you got 2 phones Granted one bit the dust. But if I were you, I'd get the replacement. I'm not sure there is a better phone out yet, imo. Only thing to make this phone better on gen 2 would be to get rid of the black bar at the bottom so it is completely bezeless, and to up the IP rating to 68 at LEAST 67. Motorized selfie cam? No notch? That would be nice. I hardly ever use the selfie cam anyway. Just my $0.02. If mine broke, I'd be buying another one

surface13 said:
I think what happened to you is a one off. You should go buy a lotto ticket maybe? On the bright side, you'd still be paying less than what I paid for 1 PH-1 with the 360 cam, used. I bought my combo from swappa in mint condition for $390. You're only at $344, and you got 2 phones Granted one bit the dust. But if I were you, I'd get the replacement. I'm not sure there is a better phone out yet, imo. Only thing to make this phone better on gen 2 would be to get rid of the black bar at the bottom so it is completely bezeless, and to up the IP rating to 68 at LEAST 67. Motorized selfie cam? No notch? That would be nice. I hardly ever use the selfie cam anyway. Just my $0.02. If mine broke, I'd be buying another one
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Click to collapse
That's kind of what I was thinking. Just hoping to NOT see other reports of similar breakage.
Thanks for the .02

chiadrum said:
That's kind of what I was thinking. Just hoping to NOT see other reports of similar breakage.
Thanks for the .02
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I literally just put my broken one in the mailbox to go back to Essential (Asurion is actually the insurance claim handling company). Mailman hasn't even picked it up yet. I cloned everything into the new replacement last night w/TWRP. So, there was virtually no on-screen setup (security/fingerprints had to be redone), and I'm back up and running as if my phone was simply repaired. That's something that's just not possible with a different phone.
Essential was quick about responding. They take 1 biz day to process and the replacement is sent FedEx Standard overnight.
I am overall disappointed with the fragility of the phone as its durability was a major selling point for me. Essential still has that PH-1 bouncing and tumbling on concrete on their homepage. But, right now there is not another phone with the dimensions, design quality, and components that can compare to this. Now, if I broke another one, I probably would not do it again, unless the price was at least half.
I am a little concerned about your situation being that you had screen protection and a case. But if I were you, I would still do the replacement, and try completely different protective devices. Especially since you got such a deal on the first one, I think it would be a no-brainer for me. I paid $350 for mine w/no 360 cam, and I still did the replacement.
I mean, even knowing this outcome, (I'm $550 in at this point) I still don't think I would have went for the OnePlus 5T. I really appreciate the form factor of this phone, and I plan to baby this replacement.

GospelNerd said:
I literally just put my broken one in the mailbox to go back to Essential (Asurion is actually the insurance claim handling company). Mailman hasn't even picked it up yet. I cloned everything into the new replacement last night w/TWRP. So, there was virtually no on-screen setup (security/fingerprints had to be redone), and I'm back up and running as if my phone was simply repaired. That's something that's just not possible with a different phone.
Essential was quick about responding. They take 1 biz day to process and the replacement is sent FedEx Standard overnight.
I am overall disappointed with the fragility of the phone as its durability was a major selling point for me. Essential still has that PH-1 bouncing and tumbling on concrete on their homepage. But, right now there is not another phone with the dimensions, design quality, and components that can compare to this. Now, if I broke another one, I probably would not do it again, unless the price was at least half.
I am a little concerned about your situation being that you had screen protection and a case. But if I were you, I would still do the replacement, and try completely different protective devices. Especially since you got such a deal on the first one, I think it would be a no-brainer for me. I paid $350 for mine w/no 360 cam, and I still did the replacement.
I mean, even knowing this outcome, (I'm $550 in at this point) I still don't think I would have went for the OnePlus 5T. I really appreciate the form factor of this phone, and I plan to baby this replacement.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, I am addicted to the form factor after having the hand stretching, ache causing Nexus 6. And the fingerprint scanner for unlocking and notifications. What caused your breakage? Did you have a case and/or screen protector?

chiadrum said:
Yeah, I am addicted to the form factor after having the hand stretching, ache causing Nexus 6. And the fingerprint scanner for unlocking and notifications. What caused your breakage? Did you have a case and/or screen protector?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Mine fell from my back pocket onto concrete, about 1.5 ft drop. I had a case.... in my backpack . It's just too pretty a phone to want to case it much. But, that's all over for me now.

GospelNerd said:
Mine fell from my back pocket onto concrete, about 1.5 ft drop. I had a case.... in my backpack . It's just too pretty a phone to want to case it much. But, that's all over for me now.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You cracked yours?
Sent from my PH-1 using Tapatalk

Yep I did. I bet if I could have watched it happen in slow motion, it would have looked just like the video on the Essential homepage, except...crack!

chiadrum said:
So here is the situation. My PH-1, defying logic, has a cracked screen despite me having a case and a screen protector on it. It started out as a hairline crack at the top of the screen but also with a fair amount of corner damage. What doesn't make any sense is that before I purchased the case and screen protector the phone survived quite a few drops without a scratch. Yesterday I dropped it again, on its back, and upon turning the phone over know it is really shattered. Still works but it is in rough shape.
I scored the phone on the Sprint deal at 145 plus the camera so I can't really complain if I have to spend another 199 to have a new phone. The problem is, I don't want to spend another 199 if the same thing is going to happen again. I have never had a phone crack with both a case and a screen protector installed before. That being said, the screen protector was a poor fit and did not cover the corners at all. It almost seems as if the case had a negative effect which is also very odd. No damage before installing the case.
Just wondering if this is a rare occasion or if it is common.
I really like the phone and I want the company to succeed. But if they are this fragile I would probably pick up an LG or an HTC.
I am on Verizon so a One Plus isn't an option.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I try not to drop fragile electronic devices.
On the other hand I can be a dolt so I always get insurance.
I got a SquareTrade coverage on this phone right after I got it.
It was $140 for three years with a $75 deductible for repairs.
So I suggest getting a SquareTrade warranty on the next one.
It also adds value when you want to sell it.

tech_head said:
I got a SquareTrade coverage on this phone right after I got it. It was $140 for three years with a $75 deductible for repairs. So I suggest getting a SquareTrade warranty on the next one.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Since the 'out-of-warranty' replacement is $199, unless you think you might go through more than one replacement, neither the extended warranty from Essential, or the price you gave for SquareTrade would be worth it. That's why I never sign up for them. I figure if I manage to break my device, the repair or replacement fee is going to be either my incentive to be extra careful from then til the next device, or impetus to sell it and try something else.
chiadrum said:
despite me having a case and a screen protector on it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
@chiadrum Mind letting us know which make/models of case and screen protector you had on it when this happened?

GospelNerd said:
Since the 'out-of-warranty' replacement is $199, unless you think you might go through more than one replacement, neither the extended warranty from Essential, or the price you gave for SquareTrade would be worth it. That's why I never sign up for them. I figure if I manage to break my device, the repair or replacement fee is going to be either my incentive to be extra careful from then til the next device, or impetus to sell it and try something else.
@chiadrum Mind letting us know which make/models of case and screen protector you had on it when this happened?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Actually, $140+$75 = $215 which is a wash if you have one incident at $200.
It also covers any other issue for three years, so YMMV.
But even a bricked device would be covered.
One might argue that insurance is never worth it. you can only make the argument until the first time you drop and break your device, have a battery issue, brick or anything else.
I don't typically break or lose my phones, but there is a first time for everything.
YMMV

tech_head said:
Actually, $140+$75 = $215 which is a wash if you have one incident at $200.
It also covers any other issue for three years, so YMMV.
But even a bricked device would be covered.
One might argue that insurance is never worth it. you can only make the argument until the first time you drop and break your device, have a battery issue, brick or anything else.
I don't typically break or lose my phones, but there is a first time for everything.
YMMV
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You have to pay the initial$140 either way, so it's $75 vs $200
Sent from my PH-1 using XDA Labs
---------- Post added at 01:03 PM ---------- Previous post was at 01:02 PM ----------
avd said:
You have to pay the initial$140 either way, so it's $75 vs $200
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Unless there is a deductable.
Sent from my PH-1 using XDA Labs

Do it
Sent from my PH-1 using Tapatalk

GospelNerd said:
Since the 'out-of-warranty' replacement is $199, unless you think you might go through more than one replacement, neither the extended warranty from Essential, or the price you gave for SquareTrade would be worth it. That's why I never sign up for them. I figure if I manage to break my device, the repair or replacement fee is going to be either my incentive to be extra careful from then til the next device, or impetus to sell it and try something else.
@chiadrum Mind letting us know which make/models of case and screen protector you had on it when this happened?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Case was the Tudia without the notch for the 360 cam, so a full coverage case in other words. Fits pretty snug and covers the edges for sure. Screen protectors were mocolo. Screen protector can be placed on the phone even with the case on, that is how much screen is still exposed even with the protector. Also, the phone was not nearly as responsive to touch with that protector on. Really surprised that the case didn't do the trick with the corner covered. The corner is where the downfall began.

chiadrum said:
It almost seems as if the case had a negative effect which is also very odd.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Can you elaborate on this statement in the OP? Got any pics?
I got some of those edge-only adhesive screen protectors with the black borders, which leaves a tiny amount of screen glass exposed (barely 1mm on top [which allows for the speaker opening], and on bottom, and probably 0.5mm on either side). It appears that even with that gap, only the screen protector or the plastic around the screen could make initial contact on a fall. But, my Incipio clear case doesn't fit without catching the edges of the protector and audibly making them peel up (not necessarily visibly). So it's not wearing a case at the moment.
I have a Tudia Lula 2.0 case coming (the one with the 360 cam cutout), so your incident is a little concerning.
I don't care about the durability of a case or screen protector as long as they do their job when it matters, and that is to prevent the phone itself from sustaining damage. But it's for naught if they don't prevent, or worse even cause damage.

GospelNerd said:
Can you elaborate on this statement in the OP? Got any pics?
I got some of those edge-only adhesive screen protectors with the black borders, which leaves a tiny amount of screen glass exposed (barely 1mm on top [which allows for the speaker opening], and on bottom, and probably 0.5mm on either side). It appears that even with that gap, only the screen protector or the plastic around the screen could make initial contact on a fall. But, my Incipio clear case doesn't fit without catching the edges of the protector and audibly making them peel up (not necessarily visibly). So it's not wearing a case at the moment.
I have a Tudia Lula 2.0 case coming (the one with the 360 cam cutout), so your incident is a little concerning.
I don't care about the durability of a case or screen protector as long as they do their job when it matters, and that is to prevent the phone itself from sustaining damage. But it's for naught if they don't prevent, or worse even cause damage.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't think the Essential is any more or less fragile than other phones.
My daughter dropped her S9 in a case with a green protector.
$149 to replaced the device.

tech_head said:
I don't think the Essential is any more or less fragile than other phones.
My daughter dropped her S9 in a case with a green protector.
$149 to replaced the device.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think phones with an edge to edge screen are way more susceptible to damage from a drop than phones with bezels or whatever you call them on all 4 sides. Unless you get a bulky case with raised edges that completely obliterates the beautiful design of the phone a case will probably provide little to no protection in a drop. The same is true of a screen protector because it provides zero protection for the edges of the glass.

jhs39 said:
I think phones with an edge to edge screen are way more susceptible to damage from a drop than phones with bezels or whatever you call them on all 4 sides. Unless you get a bulky case with raised edges that completely obliterates the beautiful design of the phone a case will probably provide little to no protection in a drop. The same is true of a screen protector because it provides zero protection for the edges of the glass.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Fair point. I always said screw design,give me a tank.I did pull the trigger on the replacement.Got it in a day.Signed up for OTA 8.1 and had it in a couple of hours.Now I just have to baby this thing.And this one is fully unlocked.My original was a Sprint variant and it was bugging out when I pulled the SIM and I could never have used it on vacation overseas.

GospelNerd said:
Can you elaborate on this statement in the OP? Got any pics?
I got some of those edge-only adhesive screen protectors with the black borders, which leaves a tiny amount of screen glass exposed (barely 1mm on top [which allows for the speaker opening], and on bottom, and probably 0.5mm on either side). It appears that even with that gap, only the screen protector or the plastic around the screen could make initial contact on a fall. But, my Incipio clear case doesn't fit without catching the edges of the protector and audibly making them peel up (not necessarily visibly). So it's not wearing a case at the moment.
I have a Tudia Lula 2.0 case coming (the one with the 360 cam cutout), so your incident is a little concerning.
I don't care about the durability of a case or screen protector as long as they do their job when it matters, and that is to prevent the phone itself from sustaining damage. But it's for naught if they don't prevent, or worse even cause damage.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry just seeing this now.Cant find a pic but there was a gash on the corner and a crack across the top.Then one last drop and it was a spiderweb.

Hey Guys,
I am from Dubai, United Arab Emirates. I dropped my 3 month old Essential Phone on concrete floor face down and the display is completely smashed in one corner and has cracks all over the screen. Mine broke because I had neither the case nor any screen protector on the phone.
I am planning for the 199$ replacement but heard from them that its a refurbished device. Just want to know whether the refurbished replacement device is void and free of any scratches/ dents or any other physical defects on the body of the phone. And also the overall quality of the phone is good before I take this plunge.
Thanks,
Zulfiqar