Database Users

Nexus 4 Back glass shattered, won't power on.

Hey All,
The other night my phone back glass panel shattered while inside my pocket. I'm not sure when/how it happened. Now, I have a solid red light when charging and the phone will not turn on. I've tried various combinations of holding power + volume down, but to no avail.
I've got a ton of pictures and some saved games data I'm trying to get off the phone. Is there any way to do this?
Also, I called google and they are sending me a new one, but I didn't mention the broken glass. Do you think this will be an issue? I've also had it rooted for about 1 month now.
Any help will be greatly appreciated.

BNCole said:
Hey All,
The other night my phone back glass panel shattered while inside my pocket. I'm not sure when/how it happened. Now, I have a solid red light when charging and the phone will not turn on. I've tried various combinations of holding power + volume down, but to no avail.
I've got a ton of pictures and some saved games data I'm trying to get off the phone. Is there any way to do this?
Also, I called google and they are sending me a new one, but I didn't mention the broken glass. Do you think this will be an issue? I've also had it rooted for about 1 month now.
Any help will be greatly appreciated.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You will need to open the back cover and unscrew the two screw pins that are holding the battery. Flip the plate over and put it back in and screw them back together. You will need a T5 torque screwdriver and small philip screwdriver. The phone should power on now.

scream4cheese said:
You will need to open the back cover and unscrew the two screw pins that are holding the battery. Flip the plate over and put it back in and screw them back together. You will need a T5 torque screwdriver and small philip screwdriver. The phone should power on now.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Arg, T5 of course! I've got a T6. I just ordered a set on Amazon and it should come Tuesday. I'll let you know how it works out!
Thanks for your help.

BNCole said:
Arg, T5 of course! I've got a T6. I just ordered a set on Amazon and it should come Tuesday. I'll let you know how it works out!
Thanks for your help.
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Click to collapse
So do you still have to return the phone for the replacement? LOL

scream4cheese said:
So do you still have to return the phone for the replacement? LOL
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Click to collapse
Yeah, I'm not really sure. If I fix it myself... they might not take it. But I really want those pics off so I'm going to give it a shot anyhow.

BNCole said:
Yeah, I'm not really sure. If I fix it myself... they might not take it. But I really want those pics off so I'm going to give it a shot anyhow.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Try this video.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AZDAIgwbXk4

I don't see any reason why they shouldn't charge you for the second phone: the screen on the first shattered - mechanical damage, it has been opened - this is not allowed. All these will leave you without warranty.

fatum2002 said:
I don't see any reason why they shouldn't charge you for the second phone: the screen on the first shattered - mechanical damage, it has been opened - this is not allowed. All these will leave you without warranty.
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Click to collapse
The black glass shattered while it was in my pocket. The screen is fine. It sounds like a manufacturers defect to me.

BNCole said:
The black glass shattered while it was in my pocket. The screen is fine. It sounds like a manufacturers defect to me.
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Click to collapse
Im sure once they see the shattered glass they'll charge you for the replacement..should of told them from the begining what happened and atleast tried to explain. :/
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda premium

drmclove69 said:
Im sure once they see the shattered glass they'll charge you for the replacement..should of told them from the begining what happened and atleast tried to explain. :/
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda premium
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Click to collapse
Oh I did. The lady said broken glass voided the warranty. So I hung up and called back and just didn't mention it.

I don't get it, whats the warranty good for if shattered glass voids the warranty?...
the whole phone is practically a glass statue.

Nirkon said:
I don't get it, whats the warranty good for if shattered glass voids the warranty?...
the whole phone is practically a glass statue.
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Click to collapse
Exactly. The glass breaking randomly should be covered by the warranty, since it's the damn problem. They even updated the design to include nubs on the bottom of newer models to prevent the glass from touching any surfaces 100% flat.
I had to order some plastic tools to open the case. They should come tomorrow. The new phone hasn't came either, ordered Friday night.

BNCole said:
The black glass shattered while it was in my pocket. The screen is fine. It sounds like a manufacturers defect to me.
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Click to collapse
it may be a manufacturers defect, but the fact the device is going to be tampered with, and opened up; at least from a business standpoint, they shouldnt have to replace it. i hope it all works out for you, but on their end, giving you the refund/replacement would be questionable business practice. they lose money from it but gain customer satisfaction... tough call lol.

Update:
My pry tools came into today and I was able to remove the back. I then removed 1 battery screw and I cannot remove the second one. It is so ridiculously tight that it started to strip the screw. I switched to a flat head that fit exactly and the screw bent the flat head. (cheap metal i guess)
So my plan now is to go to the hardware store and get a brand name 1.0 precision flat head which will hopefully work. If that doesn't work I think I have a small enough drill head to drill the screw out.
One problem after another... this phone is really pissing me off.

Small Plastic Piece Wedged Under Screen

I just received a new Sprint Galaxy S7 Edge in the mail a few days ago. As I was applying a new screen cover, I noticed a very small green piece (what I assumed was plastic) sticking out from the edge of the phone (though not by much, it didn't even make it passed the silver metallic looking frame). It bothered me quite a bit (maybe more than it should), but I was also concerned that maybe this piece went in deeper than I could see, and compromised the water resistance (glue seal). So, I grabbed a small razor blade and, without actually sticking it into the edge of the phone, just tried to move the plastic piece. After a little bit of moving, I got it to actually come out. It was a green triangular plastic piece pictured in the attached image.
So what could this piece be from? Should I be concerned? Should I return the phone and wait however many days for another and be out the $10 spent on a screen protector?
Any input would be appreciated.
Edit:
I've attached an image showing where exactly the piece was lodged.

Was it under the actual screen or the screen protector?

RileyIssKing said:
Was it under the actual screen or the screen protector?
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I've updated the original post with an image showing where exactly the piece was lodged. It was between the screen itself and the metal/plastic piece outlining the phone.

hotelmariofan said:
I've updated the original post with an image showing where exactly the piece was lodged. It was between the screen itself and the metal/plastic piece outlining the phone.
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If you have had the phone long Idk if there is much you can do because I don't think it would have come from Samsung like that. It may have been in your pocket and it just ended up happening. Sorry if I was no help.

RileyIssKing said:
If you have had the phone long Idk if there is much you can do because I don't think it would have come from Samsung like that. It may have been in your pocket and it just ended up happening. Sorry if I was no help.
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Click to collapse
I've had it for 3 days and only just opened it yesterday, so it has received one day of use, and I noticed this soon after opening the box and applying the screen cover.

hotelmariofan said:
I've had it for 3 days and only just opened it yesterday, so it has received one day of use, and I noticed this soon after opening the box and applying the screen cover.
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Take it to a Samsung center (usually inside of a best buy) and talk to them. If it was a Samsung made problem then you should be able to get your phone replaced or repaired under your warranty if your water seal is broken.

Put it in water and see if the seal is broken, do it now before the return period ends. If it takes in water, return it, If not I would not be to concerned.
Sent from my SM-G935F using Tapatalk

grneyez said:
Put it in water and see if the seal is broken, do it now before the return period ends. If it takes in water, return it, If not I would not be to concerned.
Sent from my SM-G935F using Tapatalk
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While it has IP68 rating, they don't guarantee that it's waterproof, so IIRC, they don't actually cover the phone for water damage. So if the seal is in fact compromised, I'd be screwed.

Then return the phone and get it exchanged.
Sent from my SM-G935F using Tapatalk

Back glass of the S8 feels like plastic?

Just like the title says. If I tap the back of my S8+ with my fingernail, it sure as hell doesn't feel like glass.
Anyone else agree?

Noup it's glass, your tap test is useless, since it has more to do with what's behind the glass and how it is placed in the case.
Here's a scratch test, that will tell you what it is actually made of (different materials scratch at different pick hardness. In simple words. You can't scratch glass with paper):
https://youtu.be/w_dTXKhFWtE

When I tap near the top or bottom edge, the sound is somehow firmer, than when I tap in the middle? There it's just plasticky, or hollow inside. Is it normal, or is it just mine? It's making me crazy, and for the life of me I can't find a video or anyone talking about it.
Thanks in advance,
Predrag

djubre7 said:
When I tap near the top or bottom edge, the sound is somehow firmer, than when I tap in the middle? There it's just plasticky, or hollow inside. Is it normal, or is it just mine? It's making me crazy, and for the life of me I can't find a video or anyone talking about it.
Thanks in advance,
Predrag
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Click to collapse
mine is the same.. forget about it and enjoy your phone it means nothing lol

djisgod said:
mine is the same.. forget about it and enjoy your phone it means nothing lol
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Thanks for that. I bought it five days ago, and never paid much attention, until I heard that my broken Xiaomi Mi5 sounds firmer on the back glass than a 700€ Samsung. I'm taking it tomorrow back, and asking to show me another example of it. If it's the same, I'll be really disappointed at Samsung. Not because it really matters, but because at that price point things like that just shouldn't exist. Man I am annoyed....

djubre7 said:
Thanks for that. I bought it five days ago, and never paid much attention, until I heard that my broken Xiaomi Mi5 sounds firmer on the back glass than a 700€ Samsung. I'm taking it tomorrow back, and asking to show me another example of it. If it's the same, I'll be really disappointed at Samsung. Not because it really matters, but because at that price point things like that just shouldn't exist. Man I am annoyed....
Click to expand...
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It's a floating piece of glass attached only at the edges. What did you expect?
Is this honestly an issue? Really?
We really must be living in an utopia if this is the kind of thing that keeps people awake at night nowadays. [emoji1] (I'm am asshole, I know)
Sent from my SM-G950F using Tapatalk

AdrianE46 said:
It's a floating piece of glass attached only at the edges. What did you expect?
Is this honestly an issue? Really?
We really must be living in an utopia if this is the kind of thing that keeps people awake at night nowadays. [emoji1] (I'm am asshole, I know)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I get your meaning and I appreciate it. And I would wholeheartedly agree with you, if not for the fact that a plastic J5 that I use for work sounds firmer and better/fuller than S8 on the back, and it's a floating piece of real plastic attached only at the edges as well. In fact, I'd rather expect J5 to survive submerging than this one. The screen feels like glass, the back does not. The problem is that I think it wasn't that pronounced when I first unboxed it. I can't be sure however.
On the other hand, I definitely want a 700€ feel on a 700€ phone. This is not being spoiled, it's that If I'm paying for the S8 for the next 6 months, i want an S8 and not Xiaomi. In other words, i want to feel happy that I spent 700€, I don't want to feel tricked.

So, here it is what i mean. The sound can't be heard very well because of the lousy J5 camera, but the wobbling is clearly seen.
Is it everyone's that wobbles this much in the middle or just mine?

djubre7 said:
So, here it is what i mean. The sound can't be heard very well because of the lousy J5 camera, but the wobbling is clearly seen.
Is it everyone's that wobbles this much in the middle or just mine?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have the s8+ and i do not have this wobble you mention. tapping shows it seems hollow around the centre but i expect this as the back glass is secured around the edges where it is solid. It's the same with my s6.

djubre7 said:
So, here it is what i mean. The sound can't be heard very well because of the lousy J5 camera, but the wobbling is clearly seen.
Is it everyone's that wobbles this much in the middle or just mine?
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Click to collapse
Oh wow. I retract what I said. Mine is very sturdy compared to that. No wobble at all. Just seems "less solid than a solid ingot of glass". I can kinda hear a bit of hollow space behind the glass, but that's stretching it.
Yours seems defective. Very much so.
Sent from my SM-G950F using Tapatalk

yeah yours is definitely not right. there is no give in mine at all. it sounds hollow in the middle but that is all. return yours

Yeah, today's exactly 7th day since I got it. I'll have to do it tomorrow because of work, and it's gonna be a darn ordeal convincing Telenor that it's a defect.
The procedure is they'll send it to a certified repair service, I'll get some junk replacement and probably gonna get it back 2 weeks from now at best. I'll have to see if I'm able to pull some strings so that I at least get a new device afterwards and not the "here we repaired it" same one, as my company is one of their important (lol) clients.
"Certified service partners" are very protected here, as opposed to consumers.
I'd like to have with me an example of a proper one, though. Or a video...

A question. Our company's technician says that he saw all the tests about s8 as he wants to buy it, and that the back glass has to be bendable, so that in case of breaking it doesn't shatter to pieces, but remains composite. It sounds plausible enough, but why the screen is not as bendable as the back, it's the same G5 glass?
Could it be that you guys check on different lighting conditions if it bends a bit? In the video I made I barely pressed the back at all.
I don't want to go through the whole return procedure just to get it back with the same explanation. It would mean a lot to me.
Thanks in advance

I had the silver one and it was for sure glass but now I have the all black and im pretty sure it's plastic

Back cover is plastic
I bought a brand new Galaxy S8 plus from Sprint. Just opened it to replace charging port. The back cover on mine is plastic

Wooley59 said:
I bought a brand new Galaxy S8 plus from Sprint. Just opened it to replace charging port. The back cover on mine is plastic
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Why would you open it to replace the charging port if you bought it brand new you just voided the warranty Doesnt make much sense As all the S8s brand new are most def glass

Back glass is plastic
TheMadScientist said:
Why would you open it to replace the charging port if you bought it brand new you just voided the warranty Doesnt make much sense As all the S8s brand new are most def glass
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Click to collapse
I bought the phone new from Sprint more than a year ago when it first came out. Recently I had to open it to replace the charging port. When I removed the back cover it was plastic.

Wooley59 said:
I bought the phone new from Sprint more than a year ago when it first came out. Recently I had to open it to replace the charging port. When I removed the back cover it was plastic.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There is no way I assure you if its a legit device it was glass That is part of the advertisement specs and all.Only option was sprint was selling clones or it was a refurb with a aftermarket back witch is highly unlikely as even Company's like Assurion use glass backs
Now the glass will have some flex to it not much I wouldn't suggest bending or such.
If its not real glass its either been replaced or said above

Fine scratches

Anyone else have very faint surface scratches on the back of their phone? No idea how I got them on this supposedly sturdy phone, but they are there. The phone has been on microfiber resting at all times.
My question is this, anyone think we can polish the back to get light scratches out?
Sent from my PH-1 using Tapatalk

I have this same thing going on, day 3 with the device. They're not that noticable but I know they're there and that's what bugs me. Somewhere I read said it could be scratches in oleophobic coating... IDK. JerryRigEverythings scratch test didn't show any markings until around 8 on the hardness scale.
Sent from my PH-1 using Tapatalk

sk33ls said:
I have this same thing going on, day 3 with the device. They're not that noticable but I know they're there and that's what bugs me. Somewhere I read said it could be scratches in oleophobic coating... IDK. JerryRigEverythings scratch test didn't show any markings until around 8 on the hardness scale.
Sent from my PH-1 using Tapatalk
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Click to collapse
Yea I saw the video. That's what has me annoyed. Essentials talk of durability is well documented. Add that to the fact that no cases are readily available means you kinda need to just put up with whatever happens. I'm wondering if we can just use a mild polish on the back to alleviate any minor scratches. Mine are almost invisible, but I their presence at all on a phone I baby, bothers me.
I think baking soda and water would do the trick.
Sent from my PH-1 using Tapatalk

I began to see fine scratches on the back of mine within days. I carry it in my front pocket with nothing else. I'm not aware of any rough treatment at all. I feel disappointed as well.

Same problem here ,another thing to be disappointed besides the Camera.

Same here

I was getting some as well. Try the polish out and see if it works? I don't think anyones tried it yet. Also if you don't mind covering the back you can always throw a skin on it. Also makes the phone a lot less slippery

I had quite a few on my first unit. My replacement unit I have none so far but I put a dbrand skin on it the minute I took it out of the box. My first one also had some scratches in the titanium near the charging port and a nick on the side that came from who knows what.

NeutronBomb said:
I had quite a few on my first unit. My replacement unit I have none so far but I put a dbrand skin on it the minute I took it out of the box. My first one also had some scratches in the titanium near the charging port and a nick on the side that came from who knows what.
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Click to collapse
Interesting. Have you complained to customer support about scratches? I wonder what their take is.
Sent from my PH-1 using Tapatalk

NeutronBomb said:
I had quite a few on my first unit. My replacement unit I have none so far but I put a dbrand skin on it the minute I took it out of the box. My first one also had some scratches in the titanium near the charging port and a nick on the side that came from who knows what.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I also have fine scratches on the back of mine, with scratches near the USB c port. I also have a replacement supposedly on the way, but for freezing & random reboot issues. What did they replace your phone for? How long did it take for you to get the replacement?

Mine was for bad light bleed and the coating on the titanium coming off. Now I have to exchange again because the one they sent me has no speaker grille.
They sent the replacement next day air after they called to confirm. I had already sent my defective device in. This was before they started doing advanced replacement.

I wish you hadn't said anything.. I have them too
Maybe they could be polished out, but if it scratches this easily they are destined to return.

The phone is not supposed to be scratch proof. I'll be surprised if they'll take your phone back just because of slight scratched. Put it in a sleeve to install vinyl backing for peace of mind.

Mine had scratches from day one... lol Just placed my replacement order yesterday but I don't expect to get it anytime soon. Phone is off and collecting dust til I get the box to return it. They stated they wouldn't have any new devices (hopefully ones w/o much of the hardware issues like the speaker grille) in stock until this week when they emailed me last week.

I ended up getting a replacement from essential and placing a skin on the back to protect from getting these fine scratches. I don't hate it as much as I thought I would, I miss the shiny back but I like not having scratches and finger prints all over the back. Wahoo!
Sent from my PH-1 using Tapatalk

Had mine for over six weeks, and no scratches here.

I have a ton of scratches near the camera and magnet ports. No idea how they got there since I carry my phone in my pocket with nothing else in it. The only thing I could think of would be resting it on it's back on a table and sliding it to pick it up? Odd how it is only around the top part. Fingerprint sensor and below is spotless.

Malacant said:
I have a ton of scratches near the camera and magnet ports. No idea how they got there since I carry my phone in my pocket with nothing else in it. The only thing I could think of would be resting it on it's back on a table and sliding it to pick it up? Odd how it is only around the top part. Fingerprint sensor and below is spotless.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Close to that area are the magnets, magnets attract metal and sand, sand is one of the few things that can scratch glass and ceramic. Sometimes even if we believe or not we have sand in our packets due to daily life. Then we have scratches without knowing where we scratched.
Sent from my SM-N950U1 using XDA-Developers Legacy app

I don't understand people complaining about micro scratches like it's something wrong with the phone? If you live in a place that has sand then you should have some type of protection on your device if you don't want scratches. Sand (silica) is harder than any coating and will scratch any phone. It also can become ubiquitous. One of the persons here literally has a user pic with them on the beach! Why make it Essentials fault when your failure to protect your phone is the issue?

I got my scratches at my corporate office in my cube. Nowhere near beach or anything of that sort. Was just playing with it and setting it up. Anyone who's not using any protection on the back and have been using it regularly saying they don't have any scratches, please share a close up video of your phone's back in nice HD detail close up so we can be in awe of your magical device with no scratches. Be sure to move it around under a bright light too. Lol. Be real people, you're gonna get scratches without a protection, whether it's a skin, case or whatever.

Camera glass broke in pocket

Must've leaned against something while the phone was in my pocket but it broke without me knowing so the impact couldn't have been very much.
Cheap poor quality glass on the camera for it to break that easily without me knowing in my pocket during its first 12 hours of use.
For some reason I can't figure out how to embed an image so here is a link to the damage
https://imgur.com/a/3b0hPiY

I find that hard to believe. Cnet dropped the phone numerous times on concrete and the glass covering the camera was the *only* thing to survive.. You must have really hit it hard. Nonetheless I do feel bad for you. What are you going to do?
Please keep us posted.

Chotu88 said:
Must've leaned against something while the phone was in my pocket but it broke without me knowing so the impact couldn't have been very much.
Cheap poor quality glass on the camera for it to break that easily without me knowing in my pocket during its first 12 hours of use.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Doesn't need to be a hard hit if it was a small point that hit the screen. Remember the pressure applied to the glass is a combination of the force and the size of the contact point.

Exactly. But I have ti admint I was also surprised by the CNET Video - phew.
For the OP, the Camera Glass is relatively easy to replace as part of the back.

All the drop test videos I see shows the camera being the last thing to break from extreme heights. Maybe something pointy struck it.

Swimguy14 said:
I find that hard to believe. Cnet dropped the phone numerous times on concrete and the glass covering the camera was the *only* thing to survive.. You must have really hit it hard. Nonetheless I do feel bad for you. What are you going to do?
Please keep us posted.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wasn't able to get it repaired as the Samsung stores didn't even have the phone launched when this happened.
I have to wait around with a broken camera glass until they have the spare parts to replace it.
But I will have to suck it up and pay 1 or 200 hundred bucks to repair it.

If you paid with credit card, check if your credit card has accidental damage protection

Rotten luck man. I feel for you. Quickly get it insured

Swimguy14 said:
I find that hard to believe. Cnet dropped the phone numerous times on concrete and the glass covering the camera was the *only* thing to survive.. You must have really hit it hard. Nonetheless I do feel bad for you. What are you going to do?
Please keep us posted.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I find it easy to believe. If you tap the camera housing with your fingernail, it sounds and feels incredibly flimsy, and you can even pick at the edge of the glass a little. I have concerns about the long term endurance..

In back pocket? It drives me crazy when I see phones in back pockets lol
Sent from my SM-G988U1 using Tapatalk

Swimguy14 said:
I find that hard to believe. Cnet dropped the phone numerous times on concrete and the glass covering the camera was the *only* thing to survive.. You must have really hit it hard. Nonetheless I do feel bad for you. What are you going to do?
Please keep us posted.
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Click to collapse
johnwayne27 said:
In back pocket? It drives me crazy when I see phones in back pockets lol
Sent from my SM-G988U1 using Tapatalk
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Click to collapse
Front pocket. Must've leaned against something that punctured it twice without me knowing.

unfnknblvbl said:
I find it easy to believe. If you tap the camera housing with your fingernail, it sounds and feels incredibly flimsy, and you can even pick at the edge of the glass a little. I have concerns about the long term endurance..
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Click to collapse
Only thing I can pick at the edge is the preinstalled screen protector.

Can we get a picture?

Smashed camera glass s 20 ultra
Hi all, I too have this same issue. I recently posted it on the galaxys20ultra subreddit.

Khyle94 said:
Hi all, I too have this same issue. I recently posted it on the galaxys20ultra subreddit.
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Click to collapse
And how were you able to fix it?
The Samsung store doesn't even have replacement parts yet for over a week now so now my s20 ultra has dust in the lens and is causing black marks in pictures. Keeps getting worse and worse.

Chotu88 said:
Must've leaned against something while the phone was in my pocket but it broke without me knowing so the impact couldn't have been very much.
Cheap poor quality glass on the camera for it to break that easily without me knowing in my pocket during its first 12 hours of use.
For some reason I can't figure out how to embed an image so here is a link to the damage
https://imgur.com/a/3b0hPiY
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What did you end up doing? If you still have it, I'll buy it from you. List on eBay?

Oof that was painful to watch, Glad I put a skin on those camera lenses.
With a good case you are ready to go.
Bad luck man.

Sora94 said:
Oof that was painful to watch, Glad I put a skin on those camera lenses.
With a good case you are ready to go.
Bad luck man.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What's a skin gonna do? Make it look nice that's all.
I put a tempered glass screen protector on my lens and the case gives the lens protection also

clone1008 said:
Only thing I can pick at the edge is the preinstalled screen protector.
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Click to collapse
Are you saying there's a screen protector on the camera?

lawtq said:
What's a skin gonna do? Make it look nice that's all.
I put a tempered glass screen protector on my lens and the case gives the lens protection also
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Click to collapse
Link for the glass protector for the lens? Thanks in advance