Related
Having heard about the screen cracking problems and just generally wanting to protect my new excalibur I searched the Net for a good case.
I found several online stores and ebay sellers carrying a Black Aluminum Case, i even found it on amazon and the reviews looked pretty good.
The case is pretty much identical to this one, maybe some of you have tried it.
I really like the way Case protects the screen and the phone in general while allowing access to all the keys, and it doesn't look half bad if a little bulky.
Unfortunately the belt clip fell apart after just 2 days use though thats not such a deal breaker but I have also just realized that the case decreases my signal strength, in some situations by 3 bars. That i cannot live with, it sort of ruins the point of having a hard accessible case if you have to keep on taking your phone out of it every time you want to make a call.
This is the most active Excalibur forum i have found (and stuff you guys develop is awesome) and i was just wondering if you guys could recommend a good affordable case. I have found a black plastic case and a lot of leather/cloth ones but after this bad experience i would like to see what you guys have to say first.
Thanks
Just use a rubber case, seems to do the job for me and they are fairly cheap on ebay.
For Fathers Day, I got a black/silver carbon fiber case... looks damn sexy with the black wallpaper on Kavanas ROM. No signal probs at all.
There are other options
Dude, I am dead serious about my phone looking sweet. I can tell you do too, hence the aluminum case. So, here's what you do, go back to ebay and get one of those antenna boosters. It's a freakin strip you put on your battery or something, it's toilet paper thin. It takes up no space. Try it. It might help, and then you wouldn't have to sacrifice the cool case. It's worth a shot.
Plus, unless you have extensively tested this theory. I doubt that your case is making your signal quality go down. Since the signal is transmitted so far away and makes it through so many metallic and non-metallic obstacles, yet your phone picks it up. Now, it does all of that, and you think that a 20th of an inch of aliminum is going to stop the signal. Maybe, but I would try something else before trashing the case. Just an opinion. Hope this helps.
RoachX said:
Having heard about the screen cracking problems and just generally wanting to protect my new excalibur I searched the Net for a good case.
I found several online stores and ebay sellers carrying a Black Aluminum Case, i even found it on amazon and the reviews looked pretty good.
The case is pretty much identical to this one, maybe some of you have tried it.
I really like the way Case protects the screen and the phone in general while allowing access to all the keys, and it doesn't look half bad if a little bulky.
Unfortunately the belt clip fell apart after just 2 days use though thats not such a deal breaker but I have also just realized that the case decreases my signal strength, in some situations by 3 bars. That i cannot live with, it sort of ruins the point of having a hard accessible case if you have to keep on taking your phone out of it every time you want to make a call.
This is the most active Excalibur forum i have found (and stuff you guys develop is awesome) and i was just wondering if you guys could recommend a good affordable case. I have found a black plastic case and a lot of leather/cloth ones but after this bad experience i would like to see what you guys have to say first.
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
outerdepth said:
Since the signal is transmitted so far away and makes it through so many metallic and non-metallic obstacles, yet your phone picks it up. Now, it does all of that, and you think that a 20th of an inch of aliminum is going to stop the signal.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Exceptional point!
I have a black aluminum case as well... my signal is just fine...
outerdepth said:
Plus, unless you have extensively tested this theory. I doubt that your case is making your signal quality go down. Since the signal is transmitted so far away and makes it through so many metallic and non-metallic obstacles, yet your phone picks it up. Now, it does all of that, and you think that a 20th of an inch of aliminum is going to stop the signal. Maybe, but I would try something else before trashing the case. Just an opinion. Hope this helps.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have tried it out in numerous situations, there are of course some situations where i get full bars with the case or with out but there are many (including my home) where with the case i will get 1 -2 bars and seconds after taking it out of the case the signal will go up by 2 or 3 bars. Put in the case, wait a couple of seconds and again the down to 1 - 2 bars. I didn't think a thin sheet of aluminium would effect the signal either, maybe its the lining or even the finish on the case.
Don't those signal boosters eat up the battery?
jacknmary said:
For Fathers Day, I got a black/silver carbon fiber case... looks damn sexy with the black wallpaper on Kavanas ROM. No signal probs at all.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You wouldn't happen to have any links to that product?
Im sorry...I bought it at the local mall. A phone accessory vendor had it. cost me 20, and I'd be happy to pick one up for you if you wanted to paypal the cash.
Ill post a pic soon...
jacknmary said:
Exceptional point!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes.. it sounds good! But, not a very educated point that's for sure... hehe
outerdepth said:
Dude, I am dead serious about my phone looking sweet. I can tell you do too, hence the aluminum case. So, here's what you do, go back to ebay and get one of those antenna boosters. It's a freakin strip you put on your battery or something, it's toilet paper thin. It takes up no space. Try it. It might help, and then you wouldn't have to sacrifice the cool case. It's worth a shot.
Plus, unless you have extensively tested this theory. I doubt that your case is making your signal quality go down. Since the signal is transmitted so far away and makes it through so many metallic and non-metallic obstacles, yet your phone picks it up. Now, it does all of that, and you think that a 20th of an inch of aliminum is going to stop the signal. Maybe, but I would try something else before trashing the case. Just an opinion. Hope this helps.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The battery booster idea... yeah. Not happening. Unless you engineer a way to actually improve the phone's internal "antenna" with that sticker (because that's all it is), it's not going to improve anything, but maybe make your battery door wobble less.
The way cell phones transmit their signals is a little different... Our phones don't emit radiowaves with a lot of power. The receiving towers have very high gain amplifiers that amplify these incoming signal VERY much in order to make them usable, and send them out to our phones at a very high power. If our phones emitted with the same wattage, we'd probably have brain cancer in a month. That's why it's important to look at SAR values when shopping for a phone. Our Excaliburs aren't too bad in that category...
You'll notice that ALL mettalic phones have a plastic panel SOMEWHERE on the case. The Iphone for example... black plastic at the bottom. The LG Shine which is all stainless steel, has a plastic cap at the top. These areas is where the antenna "array" is mounted. Why ? Because a mettalic case around it will effectively BLOCK the signal. Our Excalibur's antenna is at the top of phone, so make that area is clear of metallic obstructions in order to get a good signal
Oh and a piece of 1/20 inch aluminum will definitely STOP the signal IF it covers the phone all the way around. It acts like a cage for it. This is why when you open up a phone, you'll see these metal panels over the various radio chips on the phone's motherboard. They're put there to block radio interferance. Now if his case has holes in it, that's where the signal gets in , to the antenna. If those "holes" arent strategically placed, it will make radio waves not reach the antenna at full power, thus making his signal bars drop...
hmmmm.... i use a metal case that completely covers my phone (top included) and i have absolutely no loss in signal strength.... There are currently two types of metal cases for the HTC Excalibur (excluding colors) with minor diffferences between the two:
this one: http://www.pdair.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=10100000_900000_11000048&products_id=5295#thumb , which the top is left open and the edging around the keys are weird (i've owned this one and it sucks cuz your phone has a tendency to slide around)
and this one: http://www.ids.hk/item_detail.asp?C...e&itemID=40D714A9-0AFE-473B-A1D7-6346E7A8AF39 , this is the one i own ( albeit not from that site ) the entire top is covered. and the edging around the keys is a lot better.
Specifically all these cases sell with tag names: Monaco Aluminum Case, Metal Case, Metal Deluxe Case. and Innopocket Metal Case.
The one titled Innopocket Metal Case is the one you're going to want to get. It fits the phone better. and is better constructed.
I have the exact case posted in the opening thread (Monaco with open top). The Dash can move around a little but I am comfortable with this because it helps with screen adjustment depending on your angle of use. I never use the belt clip. I just orient it a certain way and use the original Dash belt holder (extra protection). I like the cool feel of the aluminum vs. the rubbery feel of the Dash. Also unlike the Dash, the aluminum case has little feet to better release sound and help with cooling when lying flat.
In any case I get great signals with or without the case in my area. But I have a friend that has like two levels of screens and mesh on the windows and doors. Kind of like the stuff high tech companies put on the windows to prevent signal theft of computer processors and such. If I open the case inside my signal strength does increase. But I don't complain because many cant even get a signal inside. So I guess it's true that under some circumstances, even the open top aluminum case impedes signal strength.
outerdepth said:
... and you think that a 20th of an inch of aliminum is going to stop the signal. Maybe, but I would try something else before trashing the case. Just an opinion. Hope this helps.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Guess you've never thought of how a coaxial cable works (Cable TV). The shield on that cable is much smaller than 1/20th in. and it seems to do a pretty good job of keeping foreign signals out.
jacknmary said:
For Fathers Day, I got a black/silver carbon fiber case... looks damn sexy with the black wallpaper on Kavanas ROM. No signal probs at all.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
oh wow i had an exact case for my dash when i had it
pudgedaddy said:
hmmmm.... i use a metal case that completely covers my phone (top included) and i have absolutely no loss in signal strength.... There are currently two types of metal cases for the HTC Excalibur (excluding colors) with minor diffferences between the two:
this one: http://www.pdair.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=10100000_900000_11000048&products_id=5295#thumb , which the top is left open and the edging around the keys are weird (i've owned this one and it sucks cuz your phone has a tendency to slide around)
and this one: http://www.ids.hk/item_detail.asp?C...e&itemID=40D714A9-0AFE-473B-A1D7-6346E7A8AF39 , this is the one i own ( albeit not from that site ) the entire top is covered. and the edging around the keys is a lot better.
Specifically all these cases sell with tag names: Monaco Aluminum Case, Metal Case, Metal Deluxe Case. and Innopocket Metal Case.
The one titled Innopocket Metal Case is the one you're going to want to get. It fits the phone better. and is better constructed.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The case i have is identical to your first link except the back of my case has less holes (top right of the back). I wonder if making some holes in the same area would help.
How do you find the belt clip for the case you bought? Is it hardy enough for regular use?
Thanks
RoachX said:
The case i have is identical to your first link except the back of my case has less holes (top right of the back). I wonder if making some holes in the same area would help.
How do you find the belt clip for the case you bought? Is it hardy enough for regular use?
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Did your case not come with a belt clip? Heck i'd give you 2 two i have if you were down the street from me. I don't use them. Not that i hate the reliability, but i'm very skiddish having "my baby" left out in the open to get lost. But if you're didnt come with one, chances are it would work with any variation. The back of both cases i posted have a screw hole in the miggle of the back of it that a metal nub screws into. Thats what lock onto the clip when its on your belt. Without that screw hole or metal nub, you're dead in the water
Oh it came with a clip, and said clip fell apart after a days use :-(. I'm looking at the version of the case you have the clip mechanism looks different.
I was just trying to help, so sorry if anyone feels mislead.
Well, it would seem that if I want to get a response out of someone, all I should do is say something slightly objectionable, MAN.
A simple no, I don't think that's how it works could have done the job. It's cool I have thick skin. LOL!
I do wanna add, though, that metals do not possess the exact same properties across the board. What I mean is, iron and aluminum are both metals, but aluminum is not magnetic because it is not a ferrous metal such as iron or one of its alloys, steel. I do want to add also, that I understand the radio chip concept and the metal cage placed around it to keep interference out. This does not mean that the chip cage is made of aluminum. I am not saying that it is, but I doubt it. Isn't aluminum used as an antenna for radios? Just saying, you think if it makes a good radio antenna or tv antenna, that it would make a good cellular radio antenna.
OrganicM said:
The battery booster idea... yeah. Not happening. Unless you engineer a way to actually improve the phone's internal "antenna" with that sticker (because that's all it is), it's not going to improve anything, but maybe make your battery door wobble less.
The way cell phones transmit their signals is a little different... Our phones don't emit radiowaves with a lot of power. The receiving towers have very high gain amplifiers that amplify these incoming signal VERY much in order to make them usable, and send them out to our phones at a very high power. If our phones emitted with the same wattage, we'd probably have brain cancer in a month. That's why it's important to look at SAR values when shopping for a phone. Our Excaliburs aren't too bad in that category...
You'll notice that ALL mettalic phones have a plastic panel SOMEWHERE on the case. The Iphone for example... black plastic at the bottom. The LG Shine which is all stainless steel, has a plastic cap at the top. These areas is where the antenna "array" is mounted. Why ? Because a mettalic case around it will effectively BLOCK the signal. Our Excalibur's antenna is at the top of phone, so make that area is clear of metallic obstructions in order to get a good signal
Oh and a piece of 1/20 inch aluminum will definitely STOP the signal IF it covers the phone all the way around. It acts like a cage for it. This is why when you open up a phone, you'll see these metal panels over the various radio chips on the phone's motherboard. They're put there to block radio interferance. Now if his case has holes in it, that's where the signal gets in , to the antenna. If those "holes" arent strategically placed, it will make radio waves not reach the antenna at full power, thus making his signal bars drop...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Also, I wasn't expecting this kind of a reponse out of you, xticon, oops, xciton. Wow, very insightful. Could you please explain to me the purpose of this "shield" as far as the coaxial cable is concerned. I always thought it was there as a ground or to create a potential difference for the signal. Guess, I am wrong. Could and would you please clarify, since I appear to be retarded. Thanks, buddy!
xciton said:
Guess you've never thought of how a coaxial cable works (Cable TV). The shield on that cable is much smaller than 1/20th in. and it seems to do a pretty good job of keeping foreign signals out.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Belt clips attached to the phone always break or come apart somehow. I'm with Pudgedaddy, I would never leave my baby dangling over the edge like that. LOL
2 weeks and is broken!
I had this thing for not more that 2 weeks and the speaker is broken
T-mobile is sending replacement tomorrow, but this is disappointing from HTC
Only this time i will put screen protector from day one.... the screen is not exactly scratch resistant.
If we add the battery performance andddd this is not exactly Desire
How'd you break it?
I work in mobile sales and deal with people like you on a daily basis, "i've only had it 2 weeks and its all scratched/part A broken/ its really slow/ battery life rubbish" I have had my desire for nearly 2 months with no scratches, the screen is as scratch resistant as most touch devices - as in don't stick it somewhere its gonna get scratched- pockets with keys - and you'll be fine. Try and remember how much these devices cost and treat them with respect. If your unfamiliar with Android/smartphones/computers then don't complain if it doesn't work as you'd expect as you have no knowledge or experience to base it on and have more than likely done something wrong, lastly battery life on all touch devices is poor when compared to older mobiles - WE ALL KNOW THIS BY NOW!! - learn how to use power management features and apps such as juice defender, be aware that lithium ion battery life will improve within the first month if used properly and finally if you don't know these things then USE GOOGLE FFS!! This is a forum for android general discussions not to pointlessly whine when you can't look after your own phone! END OF RANT
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Sent via the XDA Tapatalk App
It's all scratched up and broken after only two weeks? Unless you work in construction or something you REALLY need to learn how to treat your devices or stick to something more play school. It's an expensive high tech device, it's not a rubber coated brick. It's a small computer with a 3.7 inch GLASS screen... learn how to treat it.
CarpeDiemsNuts said:
Try and remember how much these devices cost and treat them with respect.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This.
People are the same with laptops.. just because its portable it doesn't mean its not a fragile bit of modern tech.
Did I miss something in HTC's advertising? Where does it say its scratch resistant?
And you have had it 2 weeks, the battery should only just be starting to reach its peak performance.
I don't wish to appear cynical but all your statements point to the fact that you don't look after your phone and have limited knowledge about it, I'm not surprised your speaker has broken. Count yourself really lucky HTC are giving you a second chance.
Lol.. lucky their speaker broke, that sounds like a genuine fault.
I have to admit I think the speaker is of bad quality. Bloody built in obsolescence imo
Lucky you are getting a replacement.
Mine has dust under the screen, this is not something I could have done myself, not that amount of dust in that specific place after 2 weeks (I've had the phone longer but it's been there for 2 weeks).
T-Mobile wont do anything, even though the Nexus One has the same issue.
CarpeDiemsNuts said:
I work in mobile sales and deal with people like you on a daily basis, "i've only had it 2 weeks and its all scratched/part A broken/ its really slow/ battery life rubbish" I have had my desire for nearly 2 months with no scratches, the screen is as scratch resistant as most touch devices - as in don't stick it somewhere its gonna get scratched- pockets with keys - and you'll be fine. Try and remember how much these devices cost and treat them with respect. If your unfamiliar with Android/smartphones/computers then don't complain if it doesn't work as you'd expect as you have no knowledge or experience to base it on and have more than likely done something wrong, lastly battery life on all touch devices is poor when compared to older mobiles - WE ALL KNOW THIS BY NOW!! - learn how to use power management features and apps such as juice defender, be aware that lithium ion battery life will improve within the first month if used properly and finally if you don't know these things then USE GOOGLE FFS!! This is a forum for android general discussions not to pointlessly whine when you can't look after your own phone! END OF RANT
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Sent via the XDA Tapatalk App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
oursoul said:
This.
People are the same with laptops.. just because its portable it doesn't mean its not a fragile bit of modern tech.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Whiterin said:
It's all scratched up and broken after only two weeks? Unless you work in construction or something you REALLY need to learn how to treat your devices or stick to something more play school. It's an expensive high tech device, it's not a rubber coated brick. It's a small computer with a 3.7 inch GLASS screen... learn how to treat it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Agreed to all.
I have had iPhones, HTC HD2, Hero etc and never scratched one of them. I don't use screen protectors or cases, I don't need them as I put the phones in my pocket without my keys in that pocket. My left one is for my phone, my right for everything else.
Unless you have had a dodgy unit that is made of plastic, I'd have to say its probably down to how you are storing it!
Good luck with your second one
Hmm interesting replies...
I was driving from work and my sat nav suddenly went muted ant that’s it. When i shake the device the speaker works on and off... so for me this is dodgy speaker
About the scratches... Its only one tiny scratch caused by my PLASTIC button on my pocket ...
Could be anything, a bit of sand in your pocket and you're screen is full of scratches. Pouch and screen protector all the way! Or pay around 400 euro's (directly or indirectly) and don't care what happens to those 400 euro's.
Anyway, there are always devices that can have some problems like a broken speaker or something.
Try reading a forum about whatever device, and there are always the same 'stories' like yours. Maybe it's because we're promised perfection which is impossible. But perhaps it's we all want to have perfection and don't know that's impossible anymore. But! There is a reason warranty exists... sometimes things break. No matter what product.
Did everyone watch Apple's press conference today? If not it's available on engadget:
http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/16/live-from-apples-iphone-4-press-conference/?sort=newest&refresh=0
So since every smartphone has a weakspot I'd like to know where the EVO's weakspot is. Has anyone found it? Maybe Apple doesn't think the EVO is a smartphone, therefore it has not weakspot?
update:
Just to be clear, "weakspot" is referring to a way to hold the phone to get the signal strength to go down.
I heard if you stuff it in your rectum, you drop more calls.
eec007 said:
Did everyone watch Apple's press conference today? If not it's available on engadget:
http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/16/live-from-apples-iphone-4-press-conference/?sort=newest&refresh=0
So since every smartphone has a weakspot I'd like to know where the EVO's weakspot is. Has anyone found it? Maybe Apple doesn't think the EVO is a smartphone, therefore it has not weakspot?
update:
Just to be clear, "weakspot" is referring to a way to hold the phone to get the signal strength to go down.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you cup the top of Evo with your hand, Evo will lose signal
Its near the top of the back of the phone. Try covering it with you hand (the camera, leds, speaker area)
I do this and drop 2 bars immediately
It is towards the top. Im kinda surprised that any phones have side antennas when the phone is gripped from the sides
After scratching the damn thing today, I'd say the jutting 8MP camera in the back of the bloody thing.
Slightly marred the sweet red paint job...guessing they opted for aluminum versus stainless steel. Boo.
haha if i hold a evo in a completely unnatural way cupping the top of the phone while holding the bottom with my other hand for stability, it drops two bars, but not the call....proof the iphone 4 design is flawless.....what a BS press conference
Don't act like you weren't the one trying it out!
supdawg said:
I heard if you stuff it in your rectum, you drop more calls.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sent from my Evo
Inside of a bomb shelter.
supdawg said:
I heard if you stuff it in your rectum, you drop more calls.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
WIN reply is WIN
supdawg said:
I heard if you stuff it in your rectum, you drop more calls.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
don't believe everything you hear. someone should test this out. hahaha
siwelk said:
Its near the top of the back of the phone. Try covering it with you hand (the camera, leds, speaker area)
I do this and drop 2 bars immediately
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I must have a sprint tower above my head cause I can't get the signal strength bars to budge from full no matter how I hold it.
dehelflix said:
haha if i hold a evo in a completely unnatural way cupping the top of the phone while holding the bottom with my other hand for stability, it drops two bars, but not the call....proof the iphone 4 design is flawless.....what a BS press conference
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This must be quite awkward to hold a phone call this way
Sent from my Nexus One using Tapatalk
We will never share the Evo's weakspot with you... We must protect it for the good of mankind =P
I don't have a weakspot... unless my Innocase is preventing me from finding it. No matter how I hold the phone I have the same bars.
Yea, Apple only showed the few newer phones that had the drop in bars when held the same way as iPhone 4.
Is this good design by HTC to have it near the top where you never hold it naturally? Or just the way it worked out? Since everyone in the industry is fighting this problem as Jobs said, wouldn't they develop the phone so the antenna would not get blocked or attenuated when held naturally?
I don't know enough about that kind of engineering stuff, just some things I have been wondering. Anyone else have thoughts on this?
Actually in the manual somewhere it tells you where to avoid covering the phone. If I remember correctly it's by the volume rocker?
Sent from my PC36100 using XDA App
davesters81 said:
Yea, Apple only showed the few newer phones that had the drop in bars when held the same way as iPhone 4.
Is this good design by HTC to have it near the top where you never hold it naturally? Or just the way it worked out? Since everyone in the industry is fighting this problem as Jobs said, wouldn't they develop the phone so the antenna would not get blocked or attenuated when held naturally?
I don't know enough about that kind of engineering stuff, just some things I have been wondering. Anyone else have thoughts on this?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Im going to say it was a good design move by HTC. The Bold 9700, Eris, and Omnia II (the three phones he tested signals with) were all released last year. He didn't make references to the iPhone4's more direct competitors (HD2, Incredible, Evo, Droid X) because they don't have this problem.
I covered the phone up all sorts of ways, sans the rectum thing, and the best I could get it to do was drop a bar on the WiFi strength. Network coverage was never phased?
The best way to take an Evo out quick is a pointed object real quick to the center of the screen. That's definitely the Evo's weak spot.
I got a replacement from Amazon because my earlier defy had a random reboot problem. However now I have two phones with me and when I compare them, the newest replacement seems very plasticky. The black model of european seems to be like a bad paint job of white US model coated with a black paint. Also the volume rocker and power buttons make the plastic sound when pressed.
Is this the latest european model that is being released in the market. If yes, then most of you who bought these pieces have a sub-standard quality of this phone. I loved my old phone and the smooth finish with extra smooth buttons.
Any inputs from anyone?
I have a European version which exhibits none of the symptoms you describe.
Got mine at amazon(.fr) two weeks ago to replace my desire (it fell hard on the floor and the glass is now broken).
I see the exact same symptoms you describe: cheap power and volume buttons, and overall very plasticky look and feel. That was kind of a disappointment. Then i have been even more disappointed when i realized i wouldn't be able to flash custom roms - i miss my cyanogen.
Well, this is a kind of cheap android device and it sure feels cheap. Won't buy any another moto device nor would i recommend it, that's for sure. In the meantime i try to get the best out of it.
Your experiences sure are odd. If you had not both specified that you got your phones from Amazon, I would have thought you had used ebay and gotten some shoddy copies of a fine device.
That said, the phone does use a lot of plastic, but that is something that any review will tell you.
And who does not read at least one review before buying a device nowadays?
The same goes for what can be done, ROM-wise. I checked out XDA Developers before I clicked the final 'Purchase' button, so in that regard there were no surprises for me either.
Sure reviews tell you it uses plastic. But whatever you read, unless you experience it for yourself you don't really realize. Concerning the power and volume buttons, i didn't realize it wasn't normal until i read the op.
Beside, one only really reads what seems to matter at the time of the reading: this is a super-resistant device -- put it under water, throw it against the walls, hell, yeah, i'm all in. That's what got me on board, i didn't really thought about roms, and next time i will pay more attention.
So, yes, i'm a bit disapointed, but Android still is a great toy, even with *that* device.
naenee said:
Your experiences sure are odd. If you had not both specified that you got your phones from Amazon, I would have thought you had used ebay and gotten some shoddy copies of a fine device.
That said, the phone does use a lot of plastic, but that is something that any review will tell you.
And who does not read at least one review before buying a device nowadays?
The same goes for what can be done, ROM-wise. I checked out XDA Developers before I clicked the final 'Purchase' button, so in that regard there were no surprises for me either.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think you dint read my question quite right. What i opined was that my first defy which I just returned back to amazon was a gem. It has those buttons as soft as rubber and the body build itself was different. I used it for 4months and had to give it back to due some hardware problem. Now the one I got yesterday seems a completely different build. Now those are things that no review will be able to tell you right?. Something I thought I will share with other users. It might be that Motorola just started to produce this kind of cheap builds owing to surge in demand.
That said, no complaints on this one too. But i do miss that classic finish and soft soundless buttons.
gdodinet said:
Got mine at amazon(.fr) two weeks ago to replace my desire (it fell hard on the floor and the glass is now broken).
I see the exact same symptoms you describe: cheap power and volume buttons, and overall very plasticky look and feel. That was kind of a disappointment. Then i have been even more disappointed when i realized i wouldn't be able to flash custom roms - i miss my cyanogen.
Well, this is a kind of cheap android device and it sure feels cheap. Won't buy any another moto device nor would i recommend it, that's for sure. In the meantime i try to get the best out of it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Did you get a BT/BF or blue dot device from Amazon.fr?
I was planning on buying a Defy from Amazon but this is bad news...
Why is it so hard to get a decent Defy... First there was the earpiece problem, now this.
I got mine from clevertronic.de in mid November, think it wasn't even out on amazon.de by then.
I also thought that the power and volume button seemed rather cheap looking... and clacking (at the beginning I didn't know where that clacking sound came from, thought something was wrong with the drive or something).
But until now I thought that'd be normal so I didn't complain.
Really odd.
"I tought this was normal until I read this post"
I don't really understand these people complaining about previously-normal (to them) things. It's like when the fear spreads for a pandemic.
I have got a BT33 black european defy, and I repute the build quality excellent even for that price. Sure, it is plastic, but what did you expect from a €300 phone? Brushed aluminium?
Do you think that more expensive phones are all metal builds?
Just look at the Acer Liquid Metal: you can long see it from the pics it won't be nearly the same build quality of the Defy, that it will screak when held in hand. Despite the name, it only comes with a small strip of metal in the back. I also guess the front glass is not even glass, let alone gorilla glass. And that's for €50 more than a Defy.
Anyways mine has no creaking when squeezed in the hand, the back cover paint is soft-touch and well done, the front bezel is well built, glass is perfectly aligned, back cover not bulging, side covers intact, and the volume keys only make a slight click if I shake the phone.
You're all being too picky.
Mine is an all black European model. The buttons are plastic rather than rubber but they don't rattle about or click, and i've never thought of them as being cheap-feeling.
The paint finish on the screws did start to wear off pretty quickly though.
Also have the european black model, from november.
Plastic buttons that rattle slightly, and frontshell dont fit 100% with the backshell. Everything else looks quite expensive.
For around 300€ with the powerful hardware inside its a catch in my opinion.
Sent from my Defy
FWIW, T-MO USA just sent me a replacement Defy. Not the Euro model, of course. But the same high quality of my original and has the BT prefix.
Got mine from telstra aus. It's sweet. I've soaked it in beer and dropped it numerous times. Not a scratch!
Sent from my MB525 using XDA App
scrannel said:
FWIW, T-MO USA just sent me a replacement Defy. Not the Euro model, of course. But the same high quality of my original and has the BT prefix.
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What are you referring to with 'Euro model'? Do you mean the version with the white rubber section, as opposed to it being black?
I wasn't aware either was area/continent-specific, as both can be purchased in Europe.
If you are somehow implying that European build quality is less than.. well, the build quality of where-ever you are, I doubt there is any difference.
To strengthen my argument i am going to post snaps of the two variants tonight. Hopefully my wife should not have mailed it off to amazon.
Sent from my MB525 using XDA App
Please do, I find pictures help a lot when trying to explain something about the look of a product.
naenee said:
What are you referring to with 'Euro model'? Do you mean the version with the white rubber section, as opposed to it being black?
I wasn't aware either was area/continent-specific, as both can be purchased in Europe.
If you are somehow implying that European build quality is less than.. well, the build quality of where-ever you are, I doubt there is any difference.
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I meant the phone mentioned above with the all black case. Not saying the Europeans don't know how to make good phones since they're most all made in China anyway (I hear there are some made in South America). But the poster was suggesting he had gotten a low quality phone. T-MO in the US only ships the phone with the white case, I believe.
I alos have a European version which exhibits some of the symptoms you describe.
scrannel said:
I meant the phone mentioned above with the all black case. Not saying the Europeans don't know how to make good phones since they're most all made in China anyway (I hear there are some made in South America). But the poster was suggesting he had gotten a low quality phone. T-MO in the US only ships the phone with the white case, I believe.
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Indeed, they're made in Asia - I would have suggested that as a counter, but seeing your reply, that's not necessary.
Ah, I see. I think some materials had to be different due to this phone being sturdier. Plastic and rubber can be very durable.
SemperEgo said:
Did you get a BT/BF or blue dot device from Amazon.fr?
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I'm not sure what you're referring to with BT/BF and "blue dot device", so i guess that's a no: i didn't get such a phone from amazon.
I have no idea how any of you guys have a flawless HTC One X. Seriously.
I have had 10 phones. TEN!
How HTC can send this pile of rubbish out is just beyond me. Sure, the screen is lovely. If it's not covered with yellow splodges, or a faulty digitizer. Or the case surrounding it doesn't creak or flex.
I updated my latest and unfortunately not the greatest 10th phone to sense 4.1. And it's great they have got rid of the three dots.
But whatever they doing at their factories, they are not doing much quality checking. Or perhaps they are sticking the screens down with chewing gum.
If anyone asks me "should I buy a HTC One X". Guess what my answer is going to be?
Sure, if you want to spend the next 2.5 months sending your phone back for replacements, spending over £160 in doing so in line rental, telephone calls to your supplier and postage to send it back. Go for it. It's really fun.
So how did you do it guys? Seriously? Or am I thinking that some of you have actually got slight flaws, but are living with them.
I honestly feel like I could get a crate of HTC One X's and there would be 5 or 6 in it that were without any kind of flaws.
I don't need to put on a flame proof suit. I'm sure I'll get jumped on for this post. However, I genuinely do not believe for one moment that there is such thing as a flawless HTC One X.
People can't seem to understand why Samsung is charging ahead with such success with badly designed phones compared to HTC.
Well, now you know why. Because as much as the design of the Samsung is pants, I imagine their build quality is light years ahead of HTC's.
So it depends if you want your phone to look good, or to actually be without build quality issues.
I know which I would rather have. And let me tell you, it's lesson hard learned.
What a pile of crap.
The reason why you're getting so many bad ones is probably because, unless you are going to a store and personally picking your phone out of the new ones, it's probably a refurb. HTC likely doesn't do much QA for refurbs, so you're sorting through phones that have been returned for the same reasons why you returned your phone. In all likelihood, the defective Samsung phones never even leave the factory.
It sucks, but what can you do?
Sorry to say the obvious, but you've had some really really awful luck with your devices if you've managed to go through 10, and all of them with faults that are worthy of a replacement.
If my device has any issues, it's that there is a slight gap around the screen bezel, enough for 1 tiny spec of dust to get stuck in, and tbh, that's the sort of issue I expect from any phone I purchase, I know Samsung don't do any better with gaps between joins in their design, Apple definitely don't. Guess I have a godly HOX or something?
My HOX has one slight issue as far as im aware, and yes im LIVING with it. Its the fault where if I hold it with my Left hand (WHICH I USUALLY DO) I completely or mostly lose WiFi, I can't be bothered doing the squeeze test etc, as this makes it worse. And I know I have the issue, but 10 phones worthy of replacement? Sounds like your more unlucky than the devils *****.
But canI ask a question?
WHAT IS THESE 3 DOTS EVERYONE IS ON ABOUT?!
I know those issues with a big german service contractor of O2. Not HTCs fault directly but very annoying.
They replace broken phones with refurbished ones and save the QC.
First One X had a faulty digitizer after 3 month -> Swap
Returned one had a gap at the bottom where the light shone through, the black plastic around the screen stood up a bit, a rattling vibrator and a bright 2 cm strech where the bottom backlight is situated. -> Swap
Third one now seems technically ok. I can push the glass out if I like to, because it does not really sit tight which is ok as I am a tinkerer anyway and the SIM card holder looks like somebody chewed on it.
They don't want to swap the card holder alone and want the whole phone returned.
I think I will keep it as I guess it can only get worse with a new one. Chewed holder is nothing compared to most complaints here
@Wilks3y
The 3 dots are a big bar for the menu at the bottom on the screen that show up with some applications that are not yet optimized for Android 4. It's annoying and takes space, but nothing else.
HTC said they solved all the quirks in PRODUCTION. You're getting replacements from your carrier, and you're getting the phones which have been manufactured long time ago (before june or july), because they always hand over the older devices first. They know that some people aren't so aware of the problems and device will eventually find an owner which does not care or know about problem. What you got caught into is the cruel business model.
And that's the reason everyone should insist on picking your phone in the store. I always tell them to show me 5 devices out of the stock and I will inspect them personally (that's a costumer right) for any faults. HOX is not the first device with QC problems, and two owners and friends of mine have zero problems. and if you think samsung is any better, my friend got one in June and chrome plastic around screen started peeling already with his phone always in protective case! plus he cannot get it replaced on warranty because "he himself damaged the device by dropping it".
scam is everywhere mate.
Why have you created a new thread for the same rant?
I understand your frustration though. I went through a very similar thing and only yesterday is it sorted. Unless the wifi issue comes back. I bought the phone on release.
Sent from my HTC One X using xda app-developers app
when you say build quality is abysmal it means all the one Xs they make are from the same kind of quality, for example very cheap plastic being etc or they all have a broken screen
this is not true, in fact a flawless One X is very fancy in terms of build and sturdiness
the issue you talk about is not build quality, its quality control, meaning some defected phones are being let out of factory
when you keep getting defected phones (like my luck when i first went to buy it) it means you should change your source
I have bought one x about 2-4 weeks after being released and had no problems with it so far. Probably some series of phone have been faulty or had low quality control .
I'm with the OP.
I don't think it's easy to quantify what the problems are with this phone - or is it indeed the manufacturer?
Here's my story.
First phone - yellow patch problem - wasn't sure about the wifi issue - but the yellow spots sucked.
Within the 28 day period, so got a straight swap with retailer - in my case Tesco mobile partner (2020mobile I think they're called).
In this time I really baby'd the phone - no drops, no hard knocks, no nothing. No screen protector admittedly - but - within this initial 3 week period, the Gorilla glass 2 (ROFL) still picked up fine scratches.
Replacement phone arrived - this one - less yellowing patches - but still enough for me to notice and not want on a phone which is meant to do me for 2 years. Also at this point I noticed the phone had the infamous wifi problem.
Again, really fine scratching appearing on screen.
So - sent back - outside 28 days, so had to be through HTC repair.
After 1st repair - looks like they'd replaced the screen, but not fixed the wifi - plus they'd managed to scratch the camera lense and body when it was in, so, back it went for repair.
It came back with new housing (ie no camera lense scratch or body scratches), but now I'm finding the wifi issue has clearly not been resolved.
This is just completely nuts.
And the fine scratches on my new screen are now starting to show, after about 3 or 4 weeks use - again with me babying it.
Seriously - this phone if it it didn't have these flaws would be great.
But in reality it seriously sucks.
End of my tether.
I also agree with OP
.. to many different and possible defects:
- GPS
- Sensors
- dead pixel
- dust under Display
- yellow spots
- WIFI issues
- Heating issue (differs from model)
- case and display - Quality (not instantly visible after unpacking)
- Bluetooth
... many more
i changed my phone also 9 times, important part:
- different shops
- different serial 23 to 27
and the best of allnce i sent my phone for repair and received a much worse model with two defects on the case
it defect rate is much better in SH /HT 27 but still a lack of quality...
Well, i think some of the defects are not visible to everyone because they don´t use/need the features !!
SGS3 was no option for me - i stick to the HOX - just want a model without lets call it "build" defects or lack of quality control.. the result is always the same for the customer. I messed around with all the problems and still love the phone ... i think for many "ex" HTC customers it was the last HTC phone for a long time ...
So HTC missed the spot - they invested a lot of money in "interesting" projects or companies instead of dealing with the core business - i am sure the managers who are responsible for this all are still earning a lot of money ... and a few thousand workers have been fired
Well done HTC
I changed my hox 4 times,every time different problem so then I changed to another phone make ,feels bad leaving HTC but when your QUADCORE phone becomes a source of a pain like in my case there is no point hangin about,can't wait to see what HTC will come up with comes Christmas or April 2013 really excited
subharmonic said:
And the fine scratches on my new screen are now starting to show, after about 3 or 4 weeks use - again with me babying it.
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Clearly you have grit or something in your pocket then.
Remember - scratches are caused by a harder object, rubbing against the screen. This isn't a manufacturing fault. The screen is not anymore susceptible to scratches than any previous gorilla glass, nor any other standard glass screens.
Either get a screen protector, or find the source of your scratches, ie grit in your pocket and get rid of it. If you have a pouch, could be there is grit in that embedded in the inside fabric layer
Sent from my HTC One X using xda app-developers app
So if I go to a store and they give me 10 defective devices what would I do? Not go through that store.
Or maybe creating multiple threads will solve what common sense couldn't.
Why not merge your two whining threads together since you haven't said anything new.
Sent from my AT100 using xda premium
I don't know what the deal is, but it ain't the overall build quality.
I had ONE HOX and it's perfect build quality. Actually, best build quality I've ever had, and certainly WAAAAAY Better than my mom's SGSIII or my previous SGSII and SGS.
This is a fact that has been established. But still refreshing to see it pop up again . But I agree with the OP. When I said goodbye to the HTC sensation XL, the One X was on my priority list, for all the obvious reasons. But then I asked myself: do I really want to go through it again, given that everyone is going through with the One X. The answer is no. Half my "thanks" came from defending HTC in the early launch, but now when I see the complaining posts, I cant be bothered to defend anyone anymore.
Now I feel extremely lucky, having a phone with none of these defects. SH23.
One X to rule them all.
DarkDvr said:
I don't know what the deal is, but it ain't the overall build quality.
I had ONE HOX and it's perfect build quality. Actually, best build quality I've ever had, and certainly WAAAAAY Better than my mom's SGSIII or my previous SGSII and SGS.
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Yeah, I think the OP meant 'quality control' or 'reliability'. Not 'build quality' - I'd say if anything, the quality feel of hTCs higher end devices in the hand is second only to Apple. It's my big issue with Samsungs, really - they charge £450 for a device that is made of exactly the same materials, and has had exactly the same amount of thought into the design as a £90 ZTE Blade. Incidentally, my HOX is 'perfect', at least for now - they do exist.
However, for the bootloader unlocking/warranty invalidation nonsense hTC have been preaching, even if I hadn't heard so many bad things about the One X, I'm never going to buy another device from them or advise others to. Kind of a shame when devices like the Desire and Desire Z were so damn good.
I bought my hoz, from singapure, using eBay. Its perfect, but I will choose all my entery life a broken hoz than a good sg3. A lot of my friend from my country got 20 time their sg3 back, and still changed it, broken glass inside the Box, no light bottons, others dont turn on and so on. As they dont speak english, and as they use sg3 app phone, no modding at all. I will start writing for then in sg3 Forum talking about Samsung sg3 broken glasses and defect software quality.
So that will be a lovely Forum. It will be a good action, cause a love my friends and to help them. I think every hoz uswrs with friends with sg3 problems should do the same.
Enviado desde mi HTC One X usando XDA Premium HD app
I have a March-build HT23 and it was perfect when I got it and its still perfect now. Go figure.