Develop Bugs

Returning Galaxy Nexus; Cosmetic Defect

So I received my phone yesterday straight from the Play Store. I started to use the Toolkit and everything went smoothly. I even put an XO screen protector on it.
Then this morning I noticed it. There's a marking on the bottom left corner of the side of phone. It's looks like a laser marking similar to those found on sheet metal. It doesn't affect the functionality of the phone but if I'm paying 400 for a phone I expect it to be in top notch condition. This could also affect the resale value of the phone. So I got in touch with Google. I was hoping to get some sort of credit (Google Wallet, perhaps), but the representative wasn't unable to do that and connected me with Samsung instead. They're going to send me a replacement phone and put a hold on my credit card while I ship this one back and they'll inspect it. I hope return process turns out okay. I've already removed the screen protector and flashed it back to stock.

I returned two phones with faulty screens(one had a whole column of pixels die day 3) but I would've kept them if that little mark was the only problem.
Slap a case on it and you'd never know it's there, though as it is it's not a bad little birthmark anyway. I doubt that very slight defect will effect its resale value very much. The perpetual deluge of new phones coming out will be doing that.

In my personal opinion, if that was the only thing wrong with the phone I would keep it, especially when a lot of warranty returns result in refurbs (not certain if that is the case with the Play Store). In fact, to me that would be like a birth mark and add character to the phone. To me it actually looks kinda cool, but that's just me.
It's like a sexy birthmark on a beautiful woman. Or freckles. Don't know why those things bother some people.

I have a mark in the exact same spot only its a straight line not an "s"
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Xparent ICS Blue Tapatalk 2

I personally wouldnt return it for that as long as it was working perfectly. The replacement might act up, you never know.

Mmmm... Samsung's RMA department still hasn't contacted me yet to get my credit card info. I'll ask if the replacement is refurbished. I'll keep the phone if it is.
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA

Yeah, you have a chance of getting a replacement with a bad screen, bootloops, broken usb port, or other issues, which is way worse than that mark.
Still, you're entitled to a replacement if you're not satisfied. Hope you get a good one.

Wow, I didn't realize there was a high rate of defects with the Galaxy Nexus, especially with actual issues. I feel like such a prima donna now.
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA

monstah_rain said:
Wow, I didn't realize there was a high rate of defects with the Galaxy Nexus, especially with actual issues. I feel like such a prima donna now.
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA
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Not really high. One percent of a million phones shipped is still 10,000 units that slipped through quality control.
It's just that as soon as someone comes across an issue, they immediately post it here (like you did). So we pretty much know ALL the problems this phone might encounter.

yea if the phone is perfect hardware wise i'd definitely keep it. they will most likely send you a refurb. you're going to regret it if you get a phone with a bad screen.
you're going to put a case on it anyway right? and if you don't you're going to get cosmetic defects from scratches anyway

monstah_rain said:
Wow, I didn't realize there was a high rate of defects with the Galaxy Nexus, especially with actual issues. I feel like such a prima donna now.
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA
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What did you feel like earlier? Some of us paid over $700 for our phones.
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@rbiter said:
What did you feel like earlier? Some of us paid over $700 for our phones.
...
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Early adoption has it's price. I just bought a six month old phone that could be outdated in six months.
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA

monstah_rain said:
Early adoption has it's price. I just bought a six month old phone that could be outdated in six months.
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA
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Im not talking about early adoption. I was inferring to the high nose @ $400.
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I guess I shouldn't have a right to complain because I paid 300 less than you. You can afford to buy a phone at 700, I don't. I'm sorry the price dropped after you bought the phone, but that is the cost of early adoption.

monstah_rain said:
I guess I shouldn't have a right to complain because I paid 300 less than you. You can afford to buy a phone at 700, I don't. I'm sorry the price dropped after you bought the phone, but that is the cost of early adoption.
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You still don't get what i am saying. Dude, you got a great price for a badass phone and there is a small cosmetic defect. Be happy with it if the internals are good. You could do worse and just get your nose caught higher up in the air. My sister piad for $400 for hers and she has a purplish screen. I haven't mentioned anything to her and she has been more than happy and glad she spent the $400. I am going to tell her in a couple weeks and show her my screen. My sister is pickier than me but i doubt it will bother her after she knows. If it does i will trade with her. Purple screen and all. It's a phone. Nit life or death and that scratch isnt going to ruin your life. Just your demeanor.
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@rbiter said:
You still don't get what i am saying. Dude, you got a great price for a badass phone and there is a small cosmetic defect. Be happy with it if the internals are good. You could do worse and just get your nose caught higher up in the air. My sister piad for $400 for hers and she has a purplish screen. I haven't mentioned anything to her and she has been more than happy and glad she spent the $400. I am going to tell her in a couple weeks and show her my screen. My sister is pickier than me but i doubt it will bother her after she knows. If it does i will trade with her. Purple screen and all. It's a phone. Nit life or death and that scratch isnt going to ruin your life. Just your demeanor.
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I've already acknowledged that my issue is extremely minor compared to others and I've already contacted Samsung to cancel the RMA because I don't want a refurbished phone. Regardless of what the issue I had with the phone, you make it seem like I have less of right to complain because I paid less for the same phone.

@rbiter said:
You still don't get what i am saying. Dude, you got a great price for a badass phone and there is a small cosmetic defect. Be happy with it if the internals are good. You could do worse and just get your nose caught higher up in the air. My sister piad for $400 for hers and she has a purplish screen. I haven't mentioned anything to her and she has been more than happy and glad she spent the $400. I am going to tell her in a couple weeks and show her my screen. My sister is pickier than me but i doubt it will bother her after she knows. If it does i will trade with her. Purple screen and all. It's a phone. Nit life or death and that scratch isnt going to ruin your life. Just your demeanor.
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u're not getting his point
anyways, if u buy something, even if it costs 10$, it should be as described and without any defects (whether purple-ish screens or like the one OP got). he paid for something according to a description, and when it arrived it didn't meet the descriptoin they advertise it upon. he has the right to get a replacement, and not a refurb, but a brand new device.

[Q] Worst Build Quality of a Phone

I've owned my Galaxy SIII for almost three months now and it probably has the most defects out of any phone I've ever owned. The hardware buttons are loose, the back cover doesn't stay down on all the corners, and the back cover came with hairline cracks already on it. However, the final thing that really made me consider getting a replacement is the fact that the back cover doesn't even hold the battery in all the time. When I set my phone down on a hard surface without being extra gentle, the phone turns off. I temporarily solved this by putting a folded up piece of paper under the battery cover to keep the battery in better, but I don't think this should be necessary for a $200 flagship phone. I'm already over the 30 day return period, but would these reasons qualify for me getting a replacement phone under warranty?

I have 0 defects. My phone costed 549
Anyways call sammy and send it in for warranty

Yea I'd get a new one I paid $649 for mine and its perfect no problems at all!
Sent from my SGH-I747M using xda premium

Boo freaking hoo. Is there a reason you didn't return it for another phone?
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using xda premium

CZ Eddie said:
Boo freaking hoo. Is there a reason you didn't return it for another phone?
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using xda premium
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Don't be simple.

Best phone I've ever owned...not one defect.
You know what they say in diet commercials...."results not typical..."
I guess that's you.

rpavich said:
Best phone I've ever owned...not one defect.
You know what they say in diet commercials...."results not typical..."
I guess that's you.
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Lol this is still by far the best phone I've ever owned, but it doesn't make up for bad quality assurance on Samsung's part. I'm going to get this replaced and hope the next one I get still underclocks and accepts kernels as well as the one I have now.

Yeah man, get it replaced. You got a dud. No issues I haven't caused myself here.
Sent from my SGH-I747 using Tapatalk 2

EddyVercetti said:
I've owned my Galaxy SIII for almost three months now and it probably has the most defects out of any phone I've ever owned. The hardware buttons are loose, the back cover doesn't stay down on all the corners, and the back cover came with hairline cracks already on it. However, the final thing that really made me consider getting a replacement is the fact that the back cover doesn't even hold the battery in all the time. When I set my phone down on a hard surface without being extra gentle, the phone turns off. I temporarily solved this by putting a folded up piece of paper under the battery cover to keep the battery in better, but I don't think this should be necessary for a $200 flagship phone. I'm already over the 30 day return period, but would these reasons qualify for me getting a replacement phone under warranty?
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Sorry for being blatantly sarcastic but loose buttons, cover not seating properly, battery falling out, and cracks? Obviously it was damaged. Before you got it. Pretty sure I'd return a TV with a cracked screen right away before stating it was the worst build quality of any TV ever due to dead pixels and screen flickers and the picture going wonky. I mean, come on man lol. Those defects absolutely would have qualified.. had you reported it right away.
Sent from my SGH-I747M using xda premium

It as a fake!!! Even the spelling was wrong on the phone you bought!! :laugh:

So let me get this straight. It came with cracks and you didnt return it right away?
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using xda premium

It came with crack I kept it and smoked it
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using xda premium

I agree with the group consensus; is there any reason you're reluctant to bring it back? Do you feel guilty about dropping it or something? If not you should be on your way to the store and hope the phone gods have mercy on you since the 30 day return period is over.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using xda app-developers app

EddyVercetti said:
I've owned my Galaxy SIII for almost three months now and it probably has the most defects out of any phone I've ever owned.
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EddyVercetti said:
Lol this is still by far the best phone I've ever owned, ...
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SOMETHING isn't adding up here.

rpavich said:
SOMETHING isn't adding up here.
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LOL

Since you're pass the warranty buy a new back cover or a case like an Otter commuter, it will keep the battery and button in place...btw still dont get why you didn't exchange it if it came with a cracked back. Lets see pictures of all these defects!

Wow, I did a COMPETE work over on my phone when I was getting it, checked EVERYTHING, the sales rep was getting a little agitated, but I ask her, if she were spending $500+ on a phone wouldn't you check everything? She shut her pie hole quick, and had her get another one once. Oh well.

Unlike some of you, I actually have enough hand-eye coordination skills to keep my phone in my hand. Cases are bulky and for the clumsy. I am still under the one year warranty and the hairline cracks are only visible from one specific angle. They're really not bad defects, but they just add up and get annoying. I'm only asking if this is worth getting my phone replaced because I don't want to restore to stock for no reason.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using xda premium

....... again..... if it had these defects.... and they've "added up" to become annoying.... why exactly did you decide to wait 3 months to try to do anything about it?
And if you think that cases are "bulky and for the clumsy"... then the only cases you must see anywhere are OtterBox Defenders and such. Did you ever hear of TPU? next to no bulk added to the phone (about as thick as a DVD... roughly), and gives the phone a bit nicer feel in the hand. Plus makes it a LOT less slippery than with no case at all. I've never dropped a phone either, but i'm not the type that's willing to risk the off chance that something DOES happen that a little bit nicer grip could have prevented.
The only "issue" (if you can even call it that) that i have with my phone that you are also experiencing is the loose volume/power button... which i'm pretty sure EVERYONE is experiencing. They aren't screwed into the phone in any way. They are slotted in, as they are for just about every phone. Yes, they're slightly loose, but it's not like they're ever going to just up and fall out of the phone.
At this point i'm tempted to ask if the hairline cracks you speak of are actual cracks or if you're just seeing the brushed finish of the back of the phone (assuming you have the Pebble Blue)
Still... why did you wait 3 months? Especially with the battery issue and such. I can toss my phone onto my bed, cover or no cover, and it doesn't shut off cause the battery popped out of place.

I've worked in the wireless industry for over 10 years I've yet to see anyone keep a phone out of the box with parts literally falling off and out of the phone. Hell I've never seen that at all for that matter. I can guarantee you've dropped that phone and I doubt that stuff happened out of the box. You may be in the on year warranty but if it has that sort of physical damage good luck getting it replaced.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using Tapatalk 2

[q] please help any suggestions will be perfect and appreciated!

I bought my s3 on friday had my mom pick it up from best buy. this morning i went to shower and left the phone on the shelf playing music at least 6+ inches away from the edge of the shelf which over looks the toilet, some how while shampooing my hair the phone fell into the toilet...... :crying:i took it out dried it blew dry it a bit and then put it in rice as few suggested and read online..... what im asking is there anything i can do/say to ATT/Samsung/Best buy to get another one w/out having to pay 200 dollar deductible for ATT insurance? i would not care about paying up too 100 too get another one but i realize its highly unlikely. the phone is not even a week old and pray a miracle can happen.... any answer would be greatly appreciated...

Brooklynsour said:
I bought my s3 on friday had my mom pick it up from best buy. this morning i went to shower and left the phone on the shelf playing music at least 6+ inches away from the edge of the shelf which over looks the toilet, some how while shampooing my hair the phone fell into the toilet...... :crying:i took it out dried it blew dry it a bit and then put it in rice as few suggested and read online..... what im asking is there anything i can do/say to ATT/Samsung/Best buy to get another one w/out having to pay 200 dollar deductible for ATT insurance? i would not care about paying up too 100 too get another one but i realize its highly unlikely. the phone is not even a week old and pray a miracle can happen.... any answer would be greatly appreciated...
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Yeah, the countless number of people who've dropped their phone into the toilet. You could ask bestbuy but I doubt they will refund you/replace since this is an issue you brought upon yourself.

DarthDerron said:
Yeah, the countless number of people who've dropped their phone into the toilet. You could ask bestbuy but I doubt they will refund you/replace since this is an issue you brought upon yourself.
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i didnt drop it in there, the phone vibed itself to the edge i guess from the music being loud and phone not having the slightest bit of friction?

Phone shouldn't be in the bathroom while showering. High humidity isn't the best thing for electronics.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using Tapatalk 2

+1
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using xda premium

lol very true but not too helpful the phone works fine besides the speaker...... please some advice i begggggg

Sorry to say it man but you may be out of luck. Water damage is really tough to talk your way out of, even if the phone vibrated itself into the toilet, you still set it there.
Maybe find someone who can do speaker repairs or else you may just have to deal with whatever fee it is.

I'd consider myself lucky that it still works at all, minus the speaker. Yeah, it's an important feature but with water damage...it's usually a non-working device with a $200 price tag to fix.

Yeah that's absolutely a bit of a tough position. Definitely not the best place for a phone, but you do have options. You could call AT&T and beg for mercy, threaten to switch, call retention, or do something like that though. I would say first just try to win over the sympathy of someone working there. They're people too and a lot of people have had toilet-phone related incidents haha.

I believe that you have a certain number of days with Best Buy to buy the protection plan. I also don't know how rigorously they test it to return withing their 14 day return policy. I might try a couple of stores if I didn't meet with success. With iPhones they put them into baggies with rice.
Good luck.

after testing it yeserday i put it back in rice cuz there was some moisture left on the front cam.... today its all gone and the phone works pretty fine, but like i stated before everything but the speaker..... i spoke with the insurance company for ATT with is asurian and they told me 200$ deductible best buy told me im basically screwed and that i can try and go to the best buy store and try and beg them to let me either exchange it or kick rocks....i wish i can pay another 50 for another phone.... they should have some policy for phone under 7/14 days old and if it works should be able to exchange for a newer one.... FML, if phone had a bit more friction, it dove into the water on its own =( thanks for suggestions ^

Brooklynsour said:
if phone had a bit more friction, it dove into the water on its own =( thanks for suggestions ^
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This actually made me laugh. Please don't try to play the victim here. This was 100% your fault. Don't blame the phone for not having enough friction.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using Tapatalk 2

lol i didnt drop it in the toilet it vibed in there my fault was bringing in the bathroom but all the other 100+ times i brought my old skyrocket in the bathroom and set in the same place playing music it never moved or anything and the s3 on the first time i bring it to play music it slides of the shelf is pretty unexpected especially when im washing the shampoo out my hair.....

Brooklynsour said:
I bought my s3 on friday had my mom pick it up from best buy. this morning i went to shower and left the phone on the shelf playing music at least 6+ inches away from the edge of the shelf which over looks the toilet, some how while shampooing my hair the phone fell into the toilet...... :crying:i took it out dried it blew dry it a bit and then put it in rice as few suggested and read online..... what im asking is there anything i can do/say to ATT/Samsung/Best buy to get another one w/out having to pay 200 dollar deductible for ATT insurance? i would not care about paying up too 100 too get another one but i realize its highly unlikely. the phone is not even a week old and pray a miracle can happen.... any answer would be greatly appreciated...
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Click to collapse
My friend's iphone had water damage and geeksquad fixed it for free with a warranty. Im not sure how much the warranty is but im guessing its way cheaper than 200 dollars lol. Some dude dropped his s3 in poop water and putting it in rice worked perfectly maybe the poop was the charm xD
R.I.P
Your Phone's speakers

yea its working now after the rice but im gonna take it to best buy either tomorrow or friday and pray i leave with a positive mood and smiley face lol.... the phone should have a 30 day warranty from best buy and like 90 days or w/e it is from samsung but the lady from samsung told me that after water damage the warranty is basically gone and if the technician see a problem with the motherboard it will cost alot of money.... =(

I agree with Samsung stance on that. By no means was your phone defective.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using Tapatalk 2

Since this is resolved I will close it since it is turning into a flamefest
Friendly Neighborhood Moderator

Umm, help? Screen Flickering.

I got a new S3 from USA AT&T today, bought a Zagg screen protector and when I got home applied correctly according to directions making sure to be extremely careful. (AT&T store didn't have them in stock to give and apply for me)
I booted up my device after applying the shield and now I get insane flickering even with power saving mode and auto brightness turned off, touch buttons are not functioning now, and I believe the water strips went off, I Know I didn't use more than the suggested amount for applying the screen protector and I'm super sad, because I don't have insurance, I bought the phone today, if there a chance that AT&T will honor the exchange? Phone, SIM and battery are in a bowl of rice as we speak.

PapaRhino said:
I got a new S3 from USA AT&T today, bought a Zagg screen protector and when I got home applied correctly according to directions making sure to be extremely careful. (AT&T store didn't have them in stock to give and apply for me)
I booted up my device after applying the shield and now I get insane flickering even with power saving mode and auto brightness turned off, touch buttons are not functioning now, and I believe the water strips went off, I Know I didn't use more than the suggested amount for applying the screen protector and I'm super sad, because I don't have insurance, I bought the phone today, if there a chance that AT&T will honor the exchange? Phone, SIM and battery are in a bowl of rice as we speak.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There is always a chance. If younfind a sympathetic rep. There are ways to make it look fine but you have to Google that.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using xda premium

Okay so, after a few hours in the rice the screen is fully functional, but now the capacitive buttons don't work. What can I do? I'll leave it in the rice still overnight to see what happens next if anything. I'd love to wake up to a few answers if possible, thank you!

hednik said:
There is always a chance. If younfind a sympathetic rep. There are ways to make it look fine but you have to Google that.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using xda premium
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Without saying it is ethical to do so if your phone is already broken, don't you usually have like 7 days to buy insurance after buying a new phone?
Sent from my Nexus 7

phositadc said:
Without saying it is ethical to do so if your phone is already broken, don't you usually have like 7 days to buy insurance after buying a new phone?
Sent from my Nexus 7
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30 days with AT&T, but I would also have to basically repay for the phone with a $200 non-refundable deductible.
I checked again this morning and the water damage indicators are both completely white, I was looking at the wrong area. I'll just go get it replaced soon.

PapaRhino said:
30 days with AT&T, but I would also have to basically repay for the phone with a $200 non-refundable deductible.
I checked again this morning and the water damage indicators are both completely white, I was looking at the wrong area. I'll just go get it replaced soon.
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just to note: a lot of the big retailers that sell these nice screen protectors will also install them for you if you ask (or for a small fee). i've seen this done at places like sams and best buy. it gets done right (no bubbles) and takes the kind of crap you've been dealing with off your shoulders. good luck and cheers

xBeerdroiDx said:
just to note: a lot of the big retailers that sell these nice screen protectors will also install them for you if you ask (or for a small fee). i've seen this done at places like sams and best buy. it gets done right (no bubbles) and takes the kind of crap you've been dealing with off your shoulders. good luck and cheers
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Click to collapse
Bought them from Target, I wouldn't trust them with not ripping the damn thing, lol.

xBeerdroiDx said:
just to note: a lot of the big retailers that sell these nice screen protectors will also install them for you if you ask (or for a small fee). i've seen this done at places like sams and best buy. it gets done right (no bubbles) and takes the kind of crap you've been dealing with off your shoulders. good luck and cheers
Click to expand...
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Beer,
would you really trust a retailer in DFW to do it for you ??? lol

hednik said:
Beer,
would you really trust a retailer in DFW to do it for you ??? lol
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hahaha! good point. go texas...

All-hail the magical rice! Everything is working perfectly now

I am very sad...

Have no idea how this happened...

Yea thats too bad. I would imagine droppage?

mscion said:
Have no idea how this happened...
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Dropped or that case is to hard on the corners
TWEAKED soon 2.0 NOTE 3

I have a very small crack there too.
Sent from my SM-N900T using XDA Premium 4 mobile app

Thanks folks. I did not drop it. I think it may be the case being too tight especially when I try to take it out.
I called Samsung and they would look at it and do diaognostics for free. The spokes person said
they may be able to replace the bezel for about $70 but I don't think they would actually do that. I'm sure their technician
will recommend replacing the screen, even though the screen it is not broken, cause it is all tightly glued together. Thats over $200.
I think it is kind of a bait and switch. Second. I don't want them to do dianositics. I just want them to fix the part. But they refuse to fix anything
without doing diagnositics. Go figure. Btw, showed it to a samsung sales person at best buy and low and behold he had the same crack and
the same case! It is called tech21 impactology. I bought it the first day I got the N3...
EDIT: Anyways. I don't know for sure what really happened, even if someone with the same case had the same problem. Correlation is not the same as causal but it makes you wonder.
EDIT: My sympathies @willham

I have the same cracked in the same exact spot! But I have a few cases, so I don't know which one could have caused it. I have never dropped my phone since I bought it back in October.
Sent from my SM-N900T using Tapatalk

I have the exact same crack in the exact same location. Must be a place of high stress. Not overally worried, but sucks cause otherwise mine is in mint condition. And I have dropped it a few times though, sitting on the toliet to the floor, off the couch, off the bed etc. No major drops though. I have the supcase unicorn beetle case on it since I've owned it.