Develop Bugs

Your Note 2 Is Not Defective. [Solutions To Common Quality Issues Found On Note 2]

I'm sure many of us have gone through countless returns, replacements, and refunds, with Samsung's range of Galaxy smartphones, believing that our phones were defective as a result of absurd manufacturing anomalies and quality control problems. Though, we are not Samsung factory workers, it appears Samsung has given us some labor. Obviously spending $700+ on a phone is not little. However, according to Samsung, everything I am about to disclose is normal. To alleviate the hassle of dealing with a company that has a pretty poor track-record when it comes to quality control; I would strongly advise not to return your Note 2 to the service center or store for the following reasons,
I have listed common problems some of us have come across; along with are some Do-It-Yourself Tips and Tricks to resolve these minute problems.
Squeaky back cover?
- Ensure all sides of the back cover have clipped in properly; there should be no gaps, the fitting should be seamless
- If that doesn't resolve the squeaking, replace the back cover with a new one (cheap plastic tends to expand)
- Try not to remove and install the back cover over and over again, as that will eventually weaken the plastic clippings on the back cover
- Do Not Remove the Back Cover Forcefully!
Light leaking on sides of home button?
- The home button has plagued Samsung for the past couple of years. But don't worry, your home button is not defective.
- The button is not uniformly seated properly, that explains. As a matter of fact, your home button should be flushed, not elevated above the display. To check if your button has light leakage, go into a dark room, angle your phone while the capacitive lights are on, and verify light leakage in the home button area.
- Solution: Place a piece of tape over the whole button, ensure that the tape is placed beyond the edges and sides of the home button. The tape will help keep the button seated properly and flushed, equally on both sides. Now as long as you massage and use the home button a few times a day, and remove the tape after a couple of weeks, the light will no longer protrude through the sides of the home button.
Black specks / Bezel Chrome Finish production errors?
- A lot of you may not be noticing this; only if you orient your phone at a particular angle, you may notice the chrome paint color inconsistency on the bezel (the chrome paint job was not done properly), black specks will show to some degree; now if it bothers you so much, put a case on. There is nothing you can do about it; all Note 2's have this quality control problem one way or the other.
- You don't have to worry if the metallic painting is not done properly behind the phone, as the back cover will conceal it.
Loose Volume Rocker control buttons / Power button?
- As long as you feel the button feedback and hear the button press on both volume and power keys, but feel that the buttons are loose, use a case, or massaging the buttons for a little while will help.
AMOLED Display Issues?
- Refer to the following thread, http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2108073
I will update this thread if I can think any more things to look out for when buying a Note 2. If you have any suggestions share them in this thread. Hopefully, someday, this thread can have a sticky.
Hope this helps, enjoy your phone!
This thread applies to International Note 2 and U.S. Carrier Variants.

Titanium Grey color Note 2's noticeably have a minuscule gap between the bezel and glass on top.
Just like the Galaxy S3, the Ceramic White Note 2's are notable for the bleeding light around the LED indicators and touch-capacitive buttons.

Many have spotted small gaps between the bezel and the glass of the display. I have cross-checked with over '12' Note 2 pieces across several stores, and they all have this gap in various areas, (i.e. top of the unit, bottom of the unit, and near the power / volume controls).
Secondly, although I could not find this on my T-Mobile Note 2 (I even used a magnifying glass to confirm), some of you may have noticed that the bezel is NOT 100% molded. If you inspect closely, you will notice a joint at which it appears your bezel is cracked, but is not. You might find this disappointing, but according to Samsung standards, the joint appearance is completely normal. Some joints (meeting of both sides of the bezel) will be very prominent, and some will not (in the case of mine).
Unfortunately, Samsung does not have consistent quality control with their devices, and you will definitely spot manufacturing variations, but don't be alarmed.
You should really consider these variations as consistent according to Samsung's quality control.
---
Visiting the squeaking back cover again, this sometimes also occurs when the end-user forcefully removed the back-cover by chance. Treat your Note 2 with care.
However, some back-covers are indeed cheaply Made by Samsung, and the clippings are not always made consistently; therefore, you will see different results from unit to unit.

Re: Think You You Have A Defective Note 2 Because of This? Think Again! ['Tips & Tric
My only issue is my included Samsung usb cable comes loose very easily. The same goes for the cable which was included with my Galaxy s3. I have found an LG micro USB cable that fits nice and snug. Comparing the two, the LG cable's metal connector is about 10% longer than the Samsung. Guess i will have to keep my eyes peeled for longet usb cables.
Sent from my SGH-T889 using xda app-developers app

Re: Think You You Have A Defective Note 2 Because of This? Think Again! ['Tips & Tric
The thing that worries me is when I use sky maps with my gps off. It's way off, like the other side of the world off. The only way I was able to get sky maps working right was to turn the gps setting on in sky maps and to have gps on when using it.
Other then that I was reading about people's compass being off. Mine seems to work good in the compass app. Even with gps off.
I just got my Note 2 today and other then that I love this phone. I cannot belive how great it works (knock on wood).
Sent from my SGH-T889 using Tapatalk 2

on my 4th note 2
I am currently on my fourth note 2, yes FOURTH. I went through three of them in the first month. I did exchange, exchange, return. And then I drove to a different corporate tmobile store to buy this fourth one.
all gray color devices manufactured in october.
1st note2: roll axis was off by 6 degrees, making it really annoying to play racing games because I had to hold the phone crooked to drive straight(and no, this sensor cannot be calibrated, i'm a software engineer and I researched it for about 10 hours). everything else was ok
2nd: roll axis was off by 5 degrees, compass off by 45 degrees
3rd: roll axis off by 2 degrees. unusually large gap in top portion of bezel(letting lots of dust in). Dead green pixel in center of screen, dead green pixel in lower right. And it seemed like the entire right side of the device was permanently magnetized, it was very difficult to use the s-pen on that side, and when it did work it was very inaccurate. Also, a couple times I woke up and the screen was on(apparently all night), perhaps due to some part of the phone being crazy magnetized, compass off by about 45 degrees
4th: roll axis is dead-center!!thankujesus!!11. All cool so far except the compass on these devices is obviously garbage, off by 40 degrees.

Re: Think You You Have A Defective Note 2 Because of This? Think Again! ['Tips & Tric
So this problem is only on Grey Note 2's?
Sent from my SGH-T889 using Tapatalk 2

I've seen over a dozen Note 2's and 'Grey appears is most affected." However, it is difficult to confirm because very few stores have the White Note 2 on display in my area. One store did have '2' White Note 2's for demonstration pieces, and I felt they were manufactured through better quality standards than the Grey Note 2.
However, the White Note 2's do indeed have the gap on top of the unit (very noticeable), and I felt like the White units heat up quite fast compared to Grey. The home button on the White Note 2 is not that recessed (feels quite elevated) compared to the Grey Note 2. The light on the capacitive buttons on the White Note 2 bleed very noticeable compared to the Grey.

Many have spotted small gaps between the bezel and the glass of the display. I have cross-checked with over '12' Note 2 pieces across several stores, and they all have this gap in various areas, (i.e. top of the unit, bottom of the unit, and near the power / volume controls).
Secondly, although I could not find this on my T-Mobile Note 2 (I even used a magnifying glass to confirm), some of you may have noticed that the bezel is NOT 100% molded. If you inspect closely, you will notice a joint at which it appears your bezel is cracked, but is not. You might find this disappointing, but according to Samsung standards, the joint appearance is completely normal. Some joints (meeting of both sides of the bezel) will be very prominent, and some will not (in the case of mine).
Unfortunately, Samsung does not have consistent quality control with their devices, and you will definitely spot manufacturing variations, but don't be alarmed.
You should really consider these variations as consistent according to Samsung's quality control.

I wanted to also mention, that I did come across one dummy unit today (Grey), and was surprised to see the same chrome-finish problems like the actual units. If you angle the bezel a bit, you will see the chrome finish vary a bit in different areas as a result of variations in the paint-finish.
You can scratch the bezel and paint will chip off, quite easily (Similar to Apple's iPhone 5 aluminum coating). However, keep in mind, the material used on the Note 2's bezel is different to some degree.

[Q] Tab Pro 8.4 creaks. Reason to exchange ?

Hello, I am an ( almost proud ) owner of the 8.4 Tab Pro. After the lagging Asus TF700, this is a very refreshing experience.
One issue that is bothering me is some creaks that I can hear when I hold the device in landscape mode, and do any, even very slight twisting. It comes from the bottom edge. Sometimes the creaking can be heard even when I tap the screen in an area along the bottom edge. As it is now, I think I could live with this.
Now - I am one week into a 14 days interval, when I can return the device. So I'd like to know if the cause of these creaks is likely to worsen to something I could not live with, like front glass/LCD separation, etc.
Thanks for any info. Paul.

I dont know if I am too late... But mine does not creak one bit... Take it back if you can!

[Q] A bright, small spot appears on the screen with slight pressure on back or flexed

Specifically, the spot is just left of mid-line and about a 1/3 of the way up from the bottom in portrait mode. If you have the wallpaper of the quill with the scribble (not the ink well), it is just to left of the quill tip. If I press on the corresponding spot on the back or flex the tablet from the sides a bit, a bright spot appears on lighter backgrounds (it doesn't show on dark backgrounds). A white background is back.
Ok, so everyone is going to say don't push or flex the tablet and I agree However, I bought the MoKo rotating case and when I snap it in firmly, this spot appears. I remove the tablet or loosen up the left side of the case, the spot disappears. The case appears to flex the tablet a bit, causing the display issue. I'm going to give another case a try, but MoKo is really the only rotating case, which I really liked.
Since the back of the tablet is "spongy" in this spot and allows it, I was trying to determine if this is a design issue with all of Note 8's or a manufacturing defect with mine. I went to a big box store to test, but they no longer have the Note 8's on display. However, all of the other Samsung tablet models have this issue in one spot or another. It seems Samsung has sacrificed sturdiness for a lower profile. So, I'm wondering if folks can help me determine if I should return this for another unit or deal with it.

I'd try flexing the cover's tabs some to see if I could alleviate the flexing... this is common on all tablets and phones since they are made to be as light as possible these days.
You might be able to heat the case holder with a hair dryer to make flexing/bending it easier.

cawake said:
Specifically, the spot is just left of mid-line and about a 1/3 of the way up from the bottom in portrait mode. If you have the wallpaper of the quill with the scribble (not the ink well), it is just to left of the quill tip. If I press on the corresponding spot on the back or flex the tablet from the sides a bit, a bright spot appears on lighter backgrounds (it doesn't show on dark backgrounds). A white background is back.
Ok, so everyone is going to say don't push or flex the tablet and I agree However, I bought the MoKo rotating case and when I snap it in firmly, this spot appears. I remove the tablet or loosen up the left side of the case, the spot disappears. The case appears to flex the tablet a bit, causing the display issue. I'm going to give another case a try, but MoKo is really the only rotating case, which I really liked.
Since the back of the tablet is "spongy" in this spot and allows it, I was trying to determine if this is a design issue with all of Note 8's or a manufacturing defect with mine. I went to a big box store to test, but they no longer have the Note 8's on display. However, all of the other Samsung tablet models have this issue in one spot or another. It seems Samsung has sacrificed sturdiness for a lower profile. So, I'm wondering if folks can help me determine if I should return this for another unit or deal with it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've seen this in mine. Definitely pressure flexing back plate pressure on the battery frame. The screws holding the battery will press from the back of the LCD and you'll see a bright dot. Relieve the flex/stress or the dot it permanently bruise.

DizzyDen said:
I'd try flexing the cover's tabs some to see if I could alleviate the flexing... this is common on all tablets and phones since they are made to be as light as possible these days.
You might be able to heat the case holder with a hair dryer to make flexing/bending it easier.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
DizzyDen,
Thanks for the suggestion. I did try flexing it back into shape, but to no avail.
Chris

dtvboy said:
I've seen this in mine. Definitely pressure flexing back plate pressure on the battery frame. The screws holding the battery will press from the back of the LCD and you'll see a bright dot. Relieve the flex/stress or the dot it permanently bruise.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
dtvboy,
Thanks for confirming the issue. You are right, the spot does resemble the tip of a screw. I just received the fintie slim case and I no longer have the issue. I miss the rotating stand, but it's better than the distracting dot or damaging my tablet.
Chris

You could also try sanding the flat part of the rotating holder... anything to relieve the pressure it puts on the back of the Note... bending the corners forward on the holder might help as well.

[Q] SMP600 Odd clear screen dots (hardware)

I've had my Note 10. 1 since July of this year, so about 5 months now. I more or less keep the tablet in a leather case most of the time and there were no major issues unril just recently. I had noticed earlier today that there seemed to be rows of little dots along the bottom of my screen, right above the buttons. These dots look like it could be drops from either water or glue or something of the sort.
I tried scratching it off with my fingernail but then found out it wasnt on the top of the screen but under it. It doesnt seem to effect the touchscreen but thid could become a future problem. Picture will be attached (though it could be hard to see)
Thank you in advance :good:

Air bubbles in the glue holding the LCD display & digitizer together. Never heard of them being an issue aside from being a small cosmetic eyesore.

I have the same bubbles except they started to spread. I also bought mine at the end of June. I am asking Samsung to repair it.
Sent from my SM-P600 using XDA Free mobile app

Tab S 8.4 (T-700) screen problem

Hi, I bought the Tab S 8.4 (T-700) two days ago. Today, I noticed a strange blue mark at the bottom of the screen, as if was a blot of tint or spilled paint inside the screen. It started growing upwards, every time I turned on the screen the blot seemed bigger and darker, I attach some pics here. Is it something common or a known issue?
I've googled and found nothing related to this problem. I asked my brother who has had many tablets over the years and he told me it looks like I dropped it or put great pressure on the screen, that maybe if I take it to the Samsung center they would not receive it under warranty beacuse it looks like that. I'm confused and sad, because I also bought a protective case and always had it with me, not somewhere it could be dropped or damaged.
Right now we're traveling outside the country and will not have access to a Samsung center to get it hecked until next week. It sucks a lot.
What do you think? Is it something serious? Thanks in advance.

By the looks of it.. It looks like part of the screen is dead. It shouldn't even be like that either. I think it might be defective from the looks of it. Was it like that out of the box?
Sent from SMT800 using Tapatalk.
-Helper around Tab S forums√
Active Everyday√

It wasn't like that two days ago. In fact, I just used for maybe 2 or 3 hours for browsing mindlessly on monday, yesterday I used it to check my email at night and the screen was still intact. Now, today I turned it on and there was the ink-like spil in the screen, but the strange thing to me is that touch and the tablet in general is still working flawlessly, except for that horrible dark blue mark that keeps growing.

It's probate defective if no one else touched the tablet. It doesn't seem like you pit pressure on it. I'm not sure how are you going good to explain this to Samsung.
Sent from SMT800 using Tapatalk.
-Helper around Tab S forums√
Active Everyday√

I know, I'm afraid they won't take it under warranty. I just hope they can replace the screen on a reasonabale price...

Frank_Gmz said:
I know, I'm afraid they won't take it under warranty. I just hope they can replace the screen on a reasonabale price...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If they don't cover it,They might replace the whole thing. That's gonna be a a really expensive replacement if they do. Like at least half of the price of the tablet.
Sent from SMT800 using Tapatalk.
-Helper around Tab S forums√
Active Everyday√

Well, today the ink-like blue spill grew much more and covers the screen totally. The device is still running perfectly except that I can't see anything on the display. Still hoping samsung's technical support takes it under warranty, as of now it doesn't look like I put pressure on the screen or dropped it by accident like in the first pics, and I do now that I didn't drop it or something like that.

where did you buy it? you might be able to get an exchange?

Looks like the LCD broke. The "liquid" part is broken and spreading. The same thing happens when you leave a cheap lcd calculator out in direct sunlight for a long time. I hear there are many ways this can happen such as a sudden impact to the screen, the sun, pressure etc. I would bet though its the liquid in the lcd. Only way to fix it is to replace the whole digitizer.