Database Users

Broken plastic "lens" replaceable

So today my phone dropped on the ground flat on the ground from about hip height and after picking it up i noticed i now have a cracked screen from the top.
I'm wondering how much the plastic front lens will run about. I see some prices online for about 100-180$ and it seems like every1 is pointing to the g1 digitizer?
The touch screen features work properly with no problems at all. I'm wondering, is that whats really needed? Or is there just the plastic lens somewhere?
Don't really feel like spending around 130 bucks for accidental damage. Might awell wait for a different phone to come out .

I know you can order just the glass but I have never needed to repair the glass or LCD on a G1 or MT3G. From just looking at mine I assume you can seperate the digitizer from the LCD.
http://shop.ebay.com/i.html?_nkw=g1+glass+&_cqr=true&_nkwusc=g1+glasss&_rdc=1

the G1 digitizer is not a "plastic lens" it's the touchscreen, which sits on top of the LCD screen. I bought a replacement digitizer for relatively cheap on Ebay. If you are going to fix it be extremely careful. I managed to break the flex cable of my LCD screen fixing the digitizer....

Replace LG Nexus 4 Glass Front Only

Is it possible to replace the front glass without replacing the digitizer and LCD? I have saw many, many glass only replacements on eBay for it. I want to do it myself. Is it possible? I know it is possible for the galacy necus but as the 4's LCD is on top i was wondering on bidding for a cracked screen one on ebay and fixing the glass only.

As far as I know, the digitizer and glass are glued together pretty tightly, and it's extraordinarily tough to separate the two without damaging either; plus, if separate them you have the constant worry of dust getting in there. It's usually worth it to just buy a glass+digitizer that are glued together.

Johmama said:
As far as I know, the digitizer and glass are glued together pretty tightly, and it's extraordinarily tough to separate the two without damaging either; plus, if separate them you have the constant worry of dust getting in there. It's usually worth it to just buy a glass+digitizer that are glued together.
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Click to collapse
I have seen videos of people seperating them on the galaxy nexus. Also, if the glass is cracked is the digitizer gone too? because the touch doesnt work and its cracked.

I have done a teardown of the Front display before. It is not easy. Yes the Digitizer and LCD are Glued together and I HIGHLY recommend NOT attempting to seperate them without the proper setup to do so. Once they are seperated it takes a SPECIAL glue to glue the Digitizer to the LCD and it has to be aligned correctly or you have to go through the process again. ALSO the LCD+Digitizer display is GLUED to the Bezel with an RTV type substance. I HIGHLY reccommend spending the extra few dollars to get the 3 piece setup. With that the repair is VERY Quick and easy. Takes about 15 min or so. (Half of which is getting the Back cover off without breaking anything).

Ohgami_Ichiro said:
I have done a teardown of the Front display before. It is not easy. Yes the Digitizer and LCD are Glued together and I HIGHLY recommend NOT attempting to seperate them without the proper setup to do so. Once they are seperated it takes a SPECIAL glue to glue the Digitizer to the LCD and it has to be aligned correctly or you have to go through the process again. ALSO the LCD+Digitizer display is GLUED to the Bezel with an RTV type substance. I HIGHLY reccommend spending the extra few dollars to get the 3 piece setup. With that the repair is VERY Quick and easy. Takes about 15 min or so. (Half of which is getting the Back cover off without breaking anything).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
But one question. Is the digitizer broken if the glass is broken and it doenst recognie touches?
EDIT: I will buy a broken nexus 4 off ebay for a few bucks and replace the glass so I want to know if it works if you get it. And there is a 80$ difference between the glass and the 3 piece assembly

jacobreed222 said:
I have seen videos of people seperating them on the galaxy nexus. Also, if the glass is cracked is the digitizer gone too? because the touch doesnt work and its cracked.
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Click to collapse
The Top Glass is the Digitizer, the LCD is just that. I think the iPhone4s/5 has the Digitizer integrated into the LCD and I think this is a process that may start to become commonplace as LG announced that they have a LCD Display with Integrated Digitizer in production now.
jacobreed222 said:
But one question. Is the digitizer broken if the glass is broken and it doenst recognie touches?
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Click to collapse
Yup You can see the digitited touch grid if you look at in the right angle in bright light.

Ohgami_Ichiro said:
The Top Glass is the Digitizer, the LCD is just that. I think the iPhone4s/5 has the Digitizer integrated into the LCD and I think this is a process that may start to become commonplace as LG announced that they have a LCD Display with Integrated Digitizer in production now.
Yup You can see the digitited touch grid if you look at in the right angle in bright light.
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Click to collapse
So youre saying I am out of luck with these:
http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_trk...=nexus+4+glass+replacement&_sacat=0&_from=R40
So why do they sell them anyway? zFor non broken glass?

jacobreed222 said:
So youre saying I am out of luck with these:
http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_trk...=nexus+4+glass+replacement&_sacat=0&_from=R40
So why do they sell them anyway? zFor non broken glass?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The Glass IS cheap but they do that so they can trick you into wasting your money. It is not an easy process to do. I have done a replacement on both the fron and back and it was very time intensive. (The front I just ordered the 3 piece and it was quick.) For anyone who has had little to no experience doing display repairs I reccommend the 3 Piece set. If you have SOME experience and have GOOD tools get the 2 Piece. ONLY get the Glass Digitizer IF you have Some professional tools and experience. Also the Special Glue for gluing the Digitizer to the LCD is about $20 by itself so that $15 Digitizer works out to ~$35-40 not to mention if you scratch or break the LCD by accident then you end up having to buy that too. I am not trying to be preachy here but trying to give you the REAL risks and obsticles associated with the repair on the N4. It is a VERY easy phone to repair in general EXCEPT the display. Just get the 3 Piece display and sell the broken one on ebay. It will sell because Professionals (who have the right tools) will grab them and refurbish them and then use them for repairs.
Take a look at this Vid, It's for the iPhone 5 but the process is the same for the N4 and N7.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PbZwypAINYE

Ohgami_Ichiro said:
The Glass IS cheap but they do that so they can trick you into wasting your money. It is not an easy process to do. I have done a replacement on both the fron and back and it was very time intensive. (The front I just ordered the 3 piece and it was quick.) For anyone who has had little to no experience doing display repairs I reccommend the 3 Piece set. If you have SOME experience and have GOOD tools get the 2 Piece. ONLY get the Glass Digitizer IF you have Some professional tools and experience. Also the Special Glue for gluing the Digitizer to the LCD is about $20 by itself so that $15 Digitizer works out to ~$35-40 not to mention if you scratch or break the LCD by accident then you end up having to buy that too. I am not trying to be preachy here but trying to give you the REAL risks and obsticles associated with the repair on the N4. It is a VERY easy phone to repair in general EXCEPT the display. Just get the 3 Piece display and sell the broken one on ebay. It will sell because Professionals (who have the right tools) will grab them and refurbish them and then use them for repairs.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
OK

jacobreed222 said:
OK
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Click to collapse
Hey,
I have nexus 4. The outer glass is cracked, but lcd works perfectly. However the touch is unresponsive. If i buy just the outer glass from ebay and replaced using UV glue. Would the touch function will work? Its strange that all the other smart phones touch function work, if you break the outer glass; but on nexus 4 it stops working. looking forward to hearing your opinion. thank you.
saj

saj420 said:
Hey,
I have nexus 4. The outer glass is cracked, but lcd works perfectly. However the touch is unresponsive. If i buy just the outer glass from ebay and replaced using UV glue. Would the touch function will work? Its strange that all the other smart phones touch function work, if you break the outer glass; but on nexus 4 it stops working. looking forward to hearing your opinion. thank you.
saj
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's what I was asking in the first place. Let me know if you figure it out.

jacobreed222 said:
That's what I was asking in the first place. Let me know if you figure it out.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think the digitizer is so attached to the glass when the glass breaks it breaks the digitizer as well, hence why every n4 LCD that cracks has no touch response, the digitizer is glued to the glass and not the LCD as it is on the galaxy nexus making it a billion times easeyer to just buy a whole LCD unit
Sent from my Nexus 4 [NEO @1.836 GHz] on [PSX v4.1 4.3]

IRX120 said:
I think the digitizer is so attached to the glass when the glass breaks it breaks the digitizer as well, hence why every n4 LCD that cracks has no touch response, the digitizer is glued to the glass and not the LCD as it is on the galaxy nexus making it a billion times easeyer to just buy a whole LCD unit
Sent from my Nexus 4 [NEO @1.836 GHz] on [PSX v4.1 4.3]
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It probably is easier to replace the whole unit, however it's too expensive for some people; cheapest unit I've found runs for around 120 USD, 10 times more expensive than just the glass. Specially now that Google lowered the prices, and a 120-130 USD screen doesn't make much sense when you can have a new phone for just 199 USD.
In my case, I cracked the lower corner of the screen and the lowermost buttons don't work (ie: home, back and switch app buttons). Otherwise, the screen works perfectly.
From what I've read so far online, it's fairly hard, although not impossible, to replace just the glass on a screen such as our Nexus 4's. The main difficulty is that the LCD, digitizer (the thing that takes your finger's input, in case you're wondering –as I did– what that is) and the glass are fused together. From what I gather (I am, by no means, an expert on this... take whatever I say with a grain of salt) this means that this partes are glued together with very strong adhesive.
I haven't found any videos or guides for our Nexus, but the process should be very similar to this one for a Galaxy S3. For the time being, I resorted to just rotating my phone when I need the back and home buttons. However, when it's time to buy a new phone I'll try to replace the glass on this one.
If anyone of you guys want to try this, I hope you take a video of the process and share it with the rest of us, unlucky/clumsy Nexus 4 owners.

ivancamilov said:
It probably is easier to replace the whole unit, however it's too expensive for some people; cheapest unit I've found runs for around 120 USD, 10 times more expensive than just the glass. Specially now that Google lowered the prices, and a 120-130 USD screen doesn't make much sense when you can have a new phone for just 199 USD.
In my case, I cracked the lower corner of the screen and the lowermost buttons don't work (ie: home, back and switch app buttons). Otherwise, the screen works perfectly.
From what I've read so far online, it's fairly hard, although not impossible, to replace just the glass on a screen such as our Nexus 4's. The main difficulty is that the LCD, digitizer (the thing that takes your finger's input, in case you're wondering –as I did– what that is) and the glass are fused together. From what I gather (I am, by no means, an expert on this... take whatever I say with a grain of salt) this means that this partes are glued together with very strong adhesive.
I haven't found any videos or guides for our Nexus, but the process should be very similar to this one for a Galaxy S3. For the time being, I resorted to just rotating my phone when I need the back and home buttons. However, when it's time to buy a new phone I'll try to replace the glass on this one.
If anyone of you guys want to try this, I hope you take a video of the process and share it with the rest of us, unlucky/clumsy Nexus 4 owners.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I also found a series of videos for galaxy nexus to replace only glass

I've found this tutorial for repairing n4 cracked screen, but I don't know if what he's replacing is only the outer glass or the whole digitizer and glass together.
vickev.com/#!/article/repair-your-cracked-lg-nexus-4-e960-screen
and by the way, did someone find the glass with the digitizer for a good price? Not considering those tricky ebay announcements of outer glass, as Ohgami_Ichiro has already alerted.
found this one, but 85,85 € is kinda expensive.
spareslg.com/lcd-e-touch-lg-nexus-4-lg-e960-acq86270901.html

Erich M said:
I've found this tutorial for repairing n4 cracked screen, but I don't know if what he's replacing is only the outer glass or the whole digitizer and glass together.
vickev.com/#!/article/repair-your-cracked-lg-nexus-4-e960-screen
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It is LCD+digitizer+glass assembly replacement. Not easiest but one of easy ways, costs about $120.
Erich M said:
and by the way, did someone find the glass with the digitizer for a good price? Not considering those tricky ebay announcements of outer glass, as Ohgami_Ichiro has already alerted.
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Click to collapse
For example ebay.com/itm/Original-OEM-NEW-Front-Touch-Screen-Digitizer-Glass-Lens-LG-Google-Nexus-4-E960-/181230445260?pt=US_Cell_Phone_Replacement_Parts_Tools&hash=item2a322d22cc
$38
Erich M said:
found this one, but 85,85 € is kinda expensive.
spareslg.com/lcd-e-touch-lg-nexus-4-lg-e960-acq86270901.html
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It is glass+digitizer+lcd+housing assembly.
There are also glass+digitizer+lcd+housing+battery assemblies.

If you replace the digitizer only the screen will not respond the same. My galaxy s3 has touch issues now cause I only replaced the digitizer. Now need to buy a whole assembly
Sent from my neXus⁴ using Tapatalk 2

Nexus 4 LG E960 Screen replacement
Well, I was pretty keen on getting a chinese glass/digitizer. The one I had in mind was on ebay.
I was a bit concerned about waiting up to 2 or 3 weeks, but I thought at £28 it would be worth it, as long as I could fit it successfully when it arrived. The alternative was £100 approx from spareslg.com. I was a little concerned about the integrity of the LCD as I was getting some "flowing" around the cracks on the glass. I thought (as was posted earlier) tha it would be no harm in trying to remove the broken glass now, and prep the what was left of the screen for the new glass. If it went well I would know that the LCD was ok. If it went badly however I would loose the opportunity to sell the second hand screen for £20 or so (also posted earlier). I decided to go ahead and strip down the phone.
Getting to the nitty gritty, I warmed up the screen with a hairdryer, inserted a pry tool between the bezel and the glass and started to loosen. I had replaced a glass on a Samsung Galaxy Ace successfully before and this procedure felt very familiar. The procedure actually felt much easier. The glass lifted away from the lcd within three or four minutes, and I continued to heat and ease the glass for only 6 or 7 more minutes. As I was raising the glass while working towards the top of the phone, I noticed that the LCD was leaving the frame as it didn't appear to be held by much, if anything. I thought I would remove what was left of the screen assembly from the frame and continue separating the two parts outside the frame. It was at this point that I noticed that the the LDC panel appeared to be dividing into two parts; like two wafers. Wishful thinking made me hope that what I was seeing was a digitizer membrane or something; but I soon resigned myself to the possibility that the LCD was history.:crying:
I didn't bother to clean off the glue residue, I reassembled the phone and switched it on. The picture below shows that the LCD was ruined. What looks like glass is in fact the movement of the pry tool on the adhesive on the LCD. No flash was used either.
The second photo shows the split LCD. The final photo shows the digitizer grid in the old glass.
If I had the same problem again, I would probably try again. I'd be particularly careful around the edges, not allow the LCD to rise out of the frame (and possibly tear) and take it much more slowly, and possibly use a wire separation tool if around.
Ohgami_Ichiro posted earlier that the costs of digitizer only repairs can go high. If you add fancy glues and tape then it would have cost me at least £50. New at £100 minus sale of old, £15 ?(so net £85) That could be £35 difference, £45 if you skipped the UV glue.
It might not be the last time this phone breaks though!! so savings may increase!
I have no choce now, £100.
Bye the way can anybody recommend a good open case, mine had barely 1.5 ml above screen edge.
Hope you've enjoyed the how NOT to.

Hi dear friends,
Sorry for late answer but i recommend you to take lcd digitizer and replace with cracked one. Becouse generally such chinese complete assemblies (lcd+digitizer and housing) are problematic as lcd quality bit lower than original one. So what to do is; to take digitizer around 20$ (there also which 10$ cost but really lower sensitive digitizer ) and replace it yourself. What else you need for this replacement?
-First you need something thin and sharp like as your grandfathers shaving blade for pry lcd and digitizer. (cost 1$ maybe)
-Then you also need glue cleaner for clean old glue particles, (costs 5$ with uv glue totally)
-uv adhesive for glue lcd with digitizer and (costs 5$ with adhesive cleaner totally)
-3m sticker for attach new digitizer to housing. (2-3$ for piece)
and totally cost max 30$. Maybe you will work more harder but at least you will get phone which which works with original screen with better view. :good:
---------- Post added at 02:42 AM ---------- Previous post was at 02:36 AM ----------
Just i need to warn you to definitely use heating gun or hair dryer(at max. temp.) while seperate cracked digitizer from lcd. Otherwise you will crack your lcd too. With my best wishes!!!

Nexus 7 Digitizer Repair

I've just bought a cracked 16GB Nexus 7 for £40
Prior to buying I read a few guides but another one I've read has got me confused. They say if the touch is affected the screen needs to be replaced but if not its just the glass.
I thought the glass digitizer is the glass and responsible for the touch as well? So if that breaks it wouldn't affect the LCD, would it?
Also, has anybody got any advice for the repair. What side to heat etc.
Thanks
Sent from my GT-I9300 using Tapatalk 4 Beta

As far as I know, the glass and digitizer can come separately... The glass overlays the lcd/digitizer panel. You can replace just the glass if you need to. The glass does have some effect on the touch, as it transfers touch input to the digitizer. However, if touch still works with the cracked display (which it very well can work just fine), you can save some $ and replace the glass only. It's much easier to replace glass + digitizer, but more cost-effective to replace just the glass. Use your own judgement. If the lcd panel works fine, touch response ok despite the cracked display, then replace the glass. If you have the money, or touch is affected, spring for the entire display assembly- that's what I did on my S3, but then again, my display had burn-in which is an entirely different problem.
To replace glass only:
First remove as many sensitive components (ie battery, speakers, etc) as you can. You don't HAVE to do this, but it's recommended to protect them from the heat. Then, use scotch tape to tape the cracked areas of the screen- this secures the bits of glass and makes removal easier. Next, heat with a heat gun or hair dryer to a maximum of 180*F. You should probably use a digital thermometer (like you use for cooking or electronics) to keep an eye on the temp. Heat only the glass-side/screen of the device. Move the heat over it evenly and constantly. Once the adhesive is warm enough, you can GENTLY slide a long blade under the glass and release it from the lcd digitizer. You can also use a plastic tool/plastic knife. Be careful not to scratch the lcd, and gently clean it with 90%+ alcohol after you remove the glass, and before placing the new glass. Watch some Youtube vids to see the process in action.
NOTE: I've heard both that the Nexus 7 screen is held in place by adhesive and that it's held in place by retaining clips. I'm assuming it's adhesive, but I would get that verified before you undertake this project. Good Luck!
Edited to Add:
Alas http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2431525

absinthesummer said:
As far as I know, the glass and digitizer can come separately... The glass overlays the lcd/digitizer panel. You can replace just the glass if you need to. The glass does have some effect on the touch, as it transfers touch input to the digitizer. However, if touch still works with the cracked display (which it very well can work just fine), you can save some $ and replace the glass only. It's much easier to replace glass + digitizer, but more cost-effective to replace just the glass. Use your own judgement. If the lcd panel works fine, touch response ok despite the cracked display, then replace the glass. If you have the money, or touch is affected, spring for the entire display assembly- that's what I did on my S3, but then again, my display had burn-in which is an entirely different problem.
To replace glass only:
First remove as many sensitive components (ie battery, speakers, etc) as you can. You don't HAVE to do this, but it's recommended to protect them from the heat. Then, use scotch tape to tape the cracked areas of the screen- this secures the bits of glass and makes removal easier. Next, heat with a heat gun or hair dryer to a maximum of 180*F. You should probably use a digital thermometer (like you use for cooking or electronics) to keep an eye on the temp. Heat only the glass-side/screen of the device. Move the heat over it evenly and constantly. Once the adhesive is warm enough, you can GENTLY slide a long blade under the glass and release it from the lcd digitizer. You can also use a plastic tool/plastic knife. Be careful not to scratch the lcd, and gently clean it with 90%+ alcohol after you remove the glass, and before placing the new glass. Watch some Youtube vids to see the process in action.
NOTE: I've heard both that the Nexus 7 screen is held in place by adhesive and that it's held in place by retaining clips. I'm assuming it's adhesive, but I would get that verified before you undertake this project. Good Luck!
Edited to Add:
Alas http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2431525
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
edit: ok, the internet doesn't even have a guide so I have no chance

UrbanDesigns said:
Nooooo
It can't be that hard to seperate the digitizer from the LCD.
It's got to be easier then doing a phone!
I'll just try it any way, worst that happens is I break the LCD as well.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
True, lol... suppose it wouldn't hurt to try!

So im waiting for my digitizer/lcd to arrive but all things I read say the digitizer and lcd are fused and cant be seperated. I didnt even bother trying. So far dissasembly was a breeze. Used my daughters hair dryer and a small flat head screwdriver to seperate digitizer from the bezel with minimal breakage. This is my reference photo for reassembly
Sent from my SPH-L900 using xda app-developers app

rezistrat said:
So im waiting for my digitizer/lcd to arrive but all things I read say the digitizer and lcd are fused and cant be seperated. I didnt even bother trying. So far dissasembly was a breeze. Used my daughters hair dryer and a small flat head screwdriver to seperate digitizer from the bezel with minimal breakage. This is my reference photo for reassembly
Sent from my SPH-L900 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It doesn't look like it's even possible, can't find anything online about it.
I'll just sell it as new screens are £60 and I paid £40 for it (16GB WiFi)
Wouldn't be worth buying a new screen

That's probably the best thing to do, put that money towards a new digitizer assembly. I literally just changed the display on my Galaxy S3 and it was a breeze. Way easier than replacing the glass would have been (although I needed the LED panel, not the glass, so different situation)... Now I have a beautiful new screen. I hope my N7 screen never breaks! I would be extremely upset about that.
The thing that bothers me is, there's gotta be a reason they're selling the glass only and not just the assembly... apparently someone has successfully changed the glass only, otherwise I'd think they're just in it for a money grab- sell screens that are impossible to change and then cash in when someone destroys the lcd and has to buy that too. What a shame.
---------- Post added at 04:42 PM ---------- Previous post was at 04:09 PM ----------
rezistrat said:
So im waiting for my digitizer/lcd to arrive but all things I read say the digitizer and lcd are fused and cant be seperated. I didnt even bother trying. So far dissasembly was a breeze. Used my daughters hair dryer and a small flat head screwdriver to seperate digitizer from the bezel with minimal breakage. This is my reference photo for reassembly
Sent from my SPH-L900 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So what are you doing with your old digitizer? If it's already bad, maybe you wouldn't mind giving it a go and confirming whether the glass screen can be separated or if it is hard-fused...? Or can you tell just by looking that it would be an impossible task?

absinthesummer said:
That's probably the best thing to do, put that money towards a new digitizer. I literally just changed the digitizer on my Galaxy S3 and it was a breeze. Way easier than replacing the glass would have been (although I needed the digitizer, not the glass, so different situation)... Now I have a beautiful new screen. I hope my N7 screen never breaks! I would be extremely upset about that.
The thing that bothers me is, there's gotta be a reason they're selling the glass only and not just the assembly... apparently someone has successfully changed the glass only, otherwise I'd think they're just in it for a money grab- sell screens that are impossible to change and then cash in when someone destroys the lcd and has to buy that too. What a shame.
---------- Post added at 04:42 PM ---------- Previous post was at 04:09 PM ----------
So what are you doing with your old digitizer? If it's already bad, maybe you wouldn't mind giving it a go and confirming whether the glass screen can be separated or if it is hard-fused...? Or can you tell just by looking that it would be an impossible task?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The glass you're referring to is the digitizer, that's attached to the LCD.
There isn't 3 units, it's the digitizer which is glued to the LCD and the digitizer that is the hardest thing to replace.
edit: actually that's wrong, it's the glass>digitizer>lcd

I didn't assume 3 units.. But everyone calls the layers (exterior glass and underlying lcd or led panel) different things, and I may have gotten my wording mixed up because I'm doing many things at once... I will edit my post accordingly. But that wasn't the point of the question though.
Anyway, I know on my phone the glass can be separated from the led panel. We've heard its fused for the N7. I was just wondering if the other poster would be willing to attempt separating them if they're just going to be throwing the assembly out anyway (since they're getting a new assembly). That's something I would do with a display that's already bad. But that's me.
Sent from my SGH-T999 using xda premium

absinthesummer said:
I didn't assume 3 units.. But everyone calls the layers (exterior glass and underlying lcd or led panel) different things, and I may have gotten my wording mixed up because I'm doing many things at once... I will edit my post accordingly. But that wasn't the point of the question though.
Anyway, I know on my phone the glass can be separated from the led panel. We've heard its fused for the N7. I was just wondering if the other poster would be willing to attempt separating them if they're just going to be throwing the assembly out anyway (since they're getting a new assembly). That's something I would do with a display that's already bad. But that's me.
Sent from my SGH-T999 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
After doing more research I know it can be done (it's bonded, not fused) but it's just hard, re-bonding looks like the hard part but it can be done:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2337288
It's actually not all that difficult with the proper equipment, my only worry is the backlight

Agreed... I'm watching a video now about replacing the assembly & pulling the bezel off... That part doesn't look too bad, reassembly looks simple enough too... But even they were like "it's impossible, get a new assembly. All you need to decide is whether to get one with a new bezel or one without and salvage your old one."
That sucks. :/
Edited to add: just saw that link, it looks like a PITA! It can be done, but should it be done?

absinthesummer said:
Agreed... I'm watching a video now about replacing the assembly & pulling the bezel off... That part doesn't look too bad, reassembly looks simple enough too... But even they were like "it's impossible, get a new assembly. All you need to decide is whether to get one with a new bezel or one without and salvage your old one."
That sucks. :/
Edited to add: just saw that link, it looks like a PITA! It can be done, but should it be done?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yeah, the bezel part is easy enough.
not sure what i'm gonna do now though. might still try it anyway

If I crack my front screen, do I need to replace digitizer too?

I've decided to go naked with my Nexus 4. Having dropped it once already and cracking the back, I'm curious what would be involved with fixing a front display crack.

The LCD display is located behind the digitizer glass, so if you manage to break it without breaking the exterior glass then I'd be impressed (without opening the phone from the opposite side).

wait i think i'm mistaken, so the actual glass that i'm touching is the digitzer?
i'm under the assumption that it's glass>digitizer>lcd display and that when the phone drops, only the glass breaks. my question under that assumption again is does the digitizer also get damaged?

Well you are correct, the digitizer is the thin sensor layer behind the glass, but the trend with touchscreen phone is they're glued in together with the glass as a single unit, and I don't think they even sell them separately.
http://www.etradesupply.com/media/c..._4_e960_digitizer_touch_screen_-_black_5_.jpg
There is a youtube video to replace the glass/digitizer, but its looks like it will require some patience. It doesn't help that LG tape the digitizer to the LCD to make them seamless as well, making the process harder: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=paRc_n4uB8s

damaged front glass / screen

Damaged my front glass display. No bleeds or dead pixels and digitiser fully responsive.
Can the glass be replaced alone?
Been to several local repairers and they saying glass display and digitiser comes as one unit and needs to replace all which comes to about 50% cost of phone. (Would written off if it was a car).
Seen some online vids using dry ice to remove the glass then reglue a new one followed by UV light to fix glue. (Sounds like dental work).
Any experiance on this?

AbuYahya said:
Damaged my front glass display. No bleeds or dead pixels and digitiser fully responsive.
Can the glass be replaced alone?
Been to several local repairers and they saying glass display and digitiser comes as one unit and needs to replace all which comes to about 50% cost of phone. (Would written off if it was a car).
Seen some online vids using dry ice to remove the glass then reglue a new one followed by UV light to fix glue. (Sounds like dental work).
Any experiance on this?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This was possible on earlier phones even if they have digitizer and glass together, but you would need special equipment to do this, and it was a dangerous process where the chance of damaging the whole display was huge... On the Edge phone I do not see how it would be possible, because on flat screens you needed to take a wire and put it between the glass/digitizer and be careful by removing. After that you have to glue it again with UV glue.
The special point here is that with the edge screen the chance of breaking it totally is for sure more than 90%. Also as I have heard it is not even possible to remove the display on the s7 Edge without braking it. So if you need to replace just the home button, it leads also to screen replacement.

arnes_king said:
This was possible on earlier phones even if they have digitizer and glass together, but you would need special equipment to do this, and it was a dangerous process where the chance of damaging the whole display was huge... On the Edge phone I do not see how it would be possible, because on flat screens you needed to take a wire and put it between the glass/digitizer and be careful by removing. After that you have to glue it again with UV glue.
The special point here is that with the edge screen the chance of breaking it totally is for sure more than 90%. Also as I have heard it is not even possible to remove the display on the s7 Edge without braking it. So if you need to replace just the home button, it leads also to screen replacement.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
http://forum.xda-developers.com/s7-edge/help/damaged-glass-screen-t3483109/post69201097#post69201097
above link is proof of concept... it can be done... also several professionals in the US offer this service. I was just a bit bamboozled why its not being offered by anyone locally.