A major plus with the SGSII is the Gorilla Glass on the display, but the million dollar question is what it has on the camera lens?
I love not having to worry about the screen on my Nokia N8 (also Gorilla glass), but am always wary about the camera lens which is "scratch resistent mineral glass" although it's generally recessed in its housing enough not to be a real issue.
Looking at the SGSII videos and pictures, however, it looks as though it will rest solidly - and directly - on the lens cover of the camera in the back (and of couse that's not part of an easily replacable component like the battery hatch).
So - are we going to be able to put our phones down face up without worry?
You shouldn't worry, scratches on lenses isn't really a problem. The reason is a because of how optics in lenses/cameras work. The surface on the lense is so far from focus that a scratch on the lens isn't projected on the lens as a scratch. Of course, a big damage will cause visible effects though.
I'd really like to add some links with info, but I'm not allowed, really a pity that new users cannot prove their information.
But try to google:
kurtmunger dirty lens
and
tech arp lens elements for scratches
for some info
Isn't the SGS and ALL iPhones supposed to have 'Gorrilla Glass'? iPhone's shatter like no-one's business; is it a lie? Like the cake?
Apple doesn't use Gorilla Glass
http://www.gottabemobile.com/2010/06/25/ifixit-backtracks-on-iphone-4-gorilla-glass-claim/
KLoNe1 said:
Isn't the SGS and ALL iPhones supposed to have 'Gorrilla Glass'? iPhone's shatter like no-one's business; is it a lie? Like the cake?
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Depends how you abuse a phone. iPhones shatter because they are small and slick and have hard metal around the edge that directly transfers impact force to everything else because it is the frame of the phone (plastic or metal that is attached to frame would dampen the impact somewhat) Also I think it is the back of the iPhone that shatters, and that glass is not as good as the screen glass.
tjtj4444: great first post. I agree 100%, small scratches are not visible to the image sensor when focused on something far away. A finger smudge is worse. So I hope those lenses are oleophobic
The camera cover on the Samsung Galaxy S2 is suppose to be depressed behind the phone. I don't think it will be vulnerable to scratches and severe damage. However, as in the case of all tech-gadgets, over the years of ownership, there should be visible signs of wear and tear. If these signs of wear of don't appear over time, then I have to say, you must be a very careful owner, lol.
I'm none too worried about an odd scratch, but more of multiple scratches. I remember being crushed when my Samsung i900 arrived with two scratches on the lens, but they never affected the photos.
On my Desire, however, I got so many scratches that they caught enough light to have the same effect as grease on the lens. Fortunately with the Desire, I replaced the battery cover multiple times and eventually just popped the lens cover out of one.
So, no, an occasional scratch won't ruin it forever, but multiple, repeated scratches will.
Gorilla glass isn't even that good honestly. It seems to be great for demonstrations where people actively try to damage it with keys and stuff but when you use it in the real world, stuff like sand and fine debris can easily mess the screen up.
On the forums here, someone stated that their LG Optimus 2X screen shattered and he is looking for a replacement, he eventually found the necessary parts, but my thought is that if it can shatter with just a drop, whats to say that this is a one time occurrence? Although there is no doubt its stronger than mineral glass and Apple's Glass.
buttes said:
Gorilla glass isn't even that good honestly. It seems to be great for demonstrations where people actively try to damage it with keys and stuff but when you use it in the real world, stuff like sand and fine debris can easily mess the screen up.
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Im not so sure about that; I had my Captivate for about 7 months and nnever used a screen protecter.
I dropped the phone multiple times from various heights along with bumps, bangs,and stuffing in pockets.
Not a single scratch; the phone looked like hell too, However if you cover the body you'd think it was new.
Sent from my Nexus One using XDA Premium App
i used samsung omnia hd for 1 and a half year without any screen protector. and when i sold it, not even a single scratch wwas there. gorilla glass really works
Is there any official confirmation of Gorilla Glass?
Yeah, it definitely works. The flooring in my bathroom almost has a sandpaper consistency (yeah, lovely, I know, but it's a rental flat), and my record of inflicting damage on my phones is nothing I'm proud of, but I mostly blame that da%& flooring.
And, yet, I must have slid my Nokia N8 face down across that thing like 4-5 times and there's not a mark on the glass (the anodized aluminum is another matter unfortunately).
I'd be gutted if it turned out the SGSII didn't have Gorilla Glass. Last thing I need now is another phone with a grease-magnet screen protector.
I am sure Gorilla Glass is great but does it TRULY protect it against scratches from daily use?
Thats what they said about the iPhone but you do end up getting it scratched.
Perhaps Invisible shield for the back and sides and go bare in the front would be the optimal way.
You have to distinguish between scratching the actual screen versus scratching the oleophobic coating off. The iPhone has had the coating since the 3GS so it's a lot easier to scratch it off than to actually scratch the screen.
I've had a Vibrant (Gorilla Glass with no coating) and a few Nexus S's (no gorilla glass but oleophobic coating) and I abused the crap out of the Vibrant but it stayed flawless. The Nexus S... had the coating come off but if you clean it well you won't notice until you grease up the screen again, then the lack of coating becomes apparent. Even still, it stood up pretty well and it feels amazing compared to a screen without the coating.
dhruvmalik said:
I am sure Gorilla Glass is great but does it TRULY protect it against scratches from daily use?
Thats what they said about the iPhone but you do end up getting it scratched.
Perhaps Invisible shield for the back and sides and go bare in the front would be the optimal way.
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So a screen protector is not needed or to have it is just a benefit?
If it has Gorilla Glass, I will definitely be going without a screen protector.
Sure an added layer of protection wouldn't hurt, but it comes at the cost of a plastic protector that attracts more dust and grime, detracting from the touch, feel and appearance of the device.
i'm sure it will have gorilla glass.... that seemed to be the trend with this past gen of samsung's Galaxy labeled phones
Of course we know it's got Gorilla Glass on the screen, but anyone know about the lens?
Just an FYI, I've read lots of posts by SGS owners who got scratches on the screen just by carrying the phone in their pocket. I don't doubt any of the reports by posters here, but Google "I scratched my Gorilla glass" and you might not be so confident.
I see there is square metal rin around the camera lens. Is it proturding few mm to protect lens from getting scratched when placed on the hard surface like table?
Unfortunately the similar metal rim in S2 and lens is flush and I've developed lots of minute scratches on the lens (visible when I see against light reflection). This is one of the biggest design flaw I saw in S2.
It's perfectly flush on my note... so I'll probably expect some scratches too...
This is really unfortunate. The S2 front bezel rim is actually hair proturding to protect from scratches if laid face down in smooth surface. What amuses me is that front screen is scratch proof but not the camera lens. I don't really like to put case. Maybe I should paste 1mm think rubber on two sides of the lens to prevent from getting scratches.
Actually, the front screen isn't scratch proof.
Can anyone confirm what the Note's main camera lens cover material is made of? Plastic, glass, gorilla glass?
I am considering getting a Note, but my current HTC Desire has a plastic lens cover which gets scuffed and scratched easily degrading the photo quality greatly.
I'd like my next phone to have a tough, scratch resistant lens cover.
As far as I know the lens is just ordinary plastic. If I were you I'd get a silicone skin to prevent scratches from rough surfaces I don't have any scratches on my lens yet but I handle my phone pretty careful and I don't ever put it together with my keys in my pocket.
See this link: http://www.martinfields.com/US/Martin-Fields-Overlay-Plus-Screen-Protector-Samsung-Galaxy-Note-
So
I usually wash my phone once in a while but this time I don't know what happened after washing my phone lost reception and I know something was wrong and I also noticed some water has seeped into the phone top right corner and I made sure the flaps were closed. I switched off the phone and kept the phone to dry and after about 6 hours switched on and I noticed it has become better but battery started heating too much I thought its the end of my phone, but later it was fine
But the water mark still persist on the display but it's fine as long as the phone works perfect .
What portion of the screen is watermarked?
I have two Z2's and on both of them the rear glass has began to separate slightly from the frame adjacent to the USB socket. It's the same place on both of them and can be felt by running a fingernail across the glass to the frame edge; the raised part of the frame can be felt more around the rest of the glass than it can near to the USB socket.
Once a week I carefully heat the rear glass slightly then clamp the phone between a wood/foam sandwich for an hour, it helps keep the glass more firmly attached. It's crazy that I have to do that on a high-end phone, it's definitely a design flaw.
I also wash them with warm water and have had no problems so far.
rubiicon59 said:
What portion of the screen is watermarked?
I have two Z2's and on both of them the rear glass has began to separate slightly from the frame adjacent to the USB socket. It's the same place on both of them and can be felt by running a fingernail across the glass to the frame edge; the raised part of the frame can be felt more around the rest of the glass than it can near to the USB socket.
Once a week I carefully heat the rear glass slightly then clamp the phone between a wood/foam sandwich for an hour, it helps keep the glass more firmly attached. It's crazy that I have to do that on a high-end phone, it's definitely a design flaw.
I also wash them with warm water and have had no problems so far.
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The top right corner
It's definitely cured although the mark is slightly visible
Am not dipping/washing this phone again
So that's the opposite side to the USB socket.
Maybe a leak from the sd card cover or the camera lens.
A good cleaning medium is glass cleaner spray, a little on a rag works well for removing all fingerprints and marks, then a buff with a microfiber cloth will bring it up like new.
I spilled a non conductive heptane based chemical on my phone by accident, sadly if something leaks even for a little they will ruin the screen mostly, i have a ugly "watermark" too on the right side too, glad im going to buy the XZ the next month.
rubiicon59 said:
So that's the opposite side to the USB socket.
Maybe a leak from the sd card cover or the camera lens.
A good cleaning medium is glass cleaner spray, a little on a rag works well for removing all fingerprints and marks, then a buff with a microfiber cloth will bring it up like new.
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Yeah it could be
If the leak occured through the camera lens, isn't the camera lens supposed to look hazy/moisture ?
rubiicon59 said:
What portion of the screen is watermarked?
I have two Z2's and on both of them the rear glass has began to separate slightly from the frame adjacent to the USB socket. It's the same place on both of them and can be felt by running a fingernail across the glass to the frame edge; the raised part of the frame can be felt more around the rest of the glass than it can near to the USB socket.
Once a week I carefully heat the rear glass slightly then clamp the phone between a wood/foam sandwich for an hour, it helps keep the glass more firmly attached. It's crazy that I have to do that on a high-end phone, it's definitely a design flaw.
I also wash them with warm water and have had no problems so far.
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How do you heat the rear glass? I have the same problem, but when using the phone with a case on it the glass doesn't come off.
I use a heatgun on a low setting.
The glass hasn't separated yet, it's more like the beginning of separation, so I'm trying to keep it in check.
Regarding the lens, if you managed to totally dry your phone I think the lens would look normal and clear.
Also I've looked at some internal pics of the Z2 and the area where the rear glass is starting to separate corresponds with the two NFC spring contacts on the motherboard.
I've bought my Z2 in 06/14 and I wash it with soap and warm water once a week since then.
Had no problems at all. :good::fingers-crossed:
SONY is the best. I don't think I'll ever buy a NON-waterproof phone.
I've had my phone for about a week now and I noticed that the right side of my camera was collecting a lot of dust. After removing it, I noticed that there is a gap between the rear glass and the camera where it looks like some adhesive is exposed.
Gap on the right side: http://imgur.com/a/ifWFFSC
Left side showing no gap: http://imgur.com/a/FlJTECh
Aside from it bothering me somewhat from an aesthetic standpoint, I'm more concerned about dust and water ingress into the phone and under the lens.
Does anyone else have this issue? Should I exchange the phone before the 15 days are up? Aside from this, I'm impressed with the build quality.
I may have the slightest of gaps but barely noticeable. The glass has to be a wee smaller than the frame so it's not a press fit which would cause stress and ultimately a fracture of the glass.
If it does not bother you too much keep the phone. It won't impede waterproofing and camera quality.