Was heading home yesterday from work, looking up in a contact in the phone book, when I stumbled, lost grip on my Arc, and had it hit the pavement face-down. The result: a cracked glass in three places.
The display hasn't been damaged (luckily), but the glass has developed three dot-like cracks, one about a millimeter wide, the other two smaller, but noticeable still. Ever since the "incident," the display seems to have lost some of its "vibrancy," and, moreover, the phone's developed somewhat of a lag when opening the phone book, the messaging service, or accessing most any other application on the phone. Am thinking of taking it to the service center, but I'm worried about one major thing: whether the service center technicians will be able to re-vacuum-seal the space between the display and the glass once they're done replacing the glass and fixing the phone.
I hate to see this happen. The phone's not cheap, and I made the purchase, moreover, only a couple of weeks back. Had really grown to love it. Just my luck to have it damaged. Or maybe stupidity to be reading the screen while walking.
Lycan73 said:
Am thinking of taking it to the service center, but I'm worried about one major thing: whether the service center technicians will be able to re-vacuum-seal the space between the display and the glass once they're done replacing the glass and fixing the phone.
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You would think they would return it in 100% working condition if you go to a service centre.
Following the problem I posted here weeks ago, I received news that my friend from the UK already received my order (3 pieces of slider flex) and that she sent it already. I'll be receiving it Tuesday next week.
Not that I don't trust SE Service Centers here in my country but the phone was just released last September here and I'm thinking their technicians might not be properly trained yet with ripping apart an Xperia Play. I'm just kinda worried they might screw up my phone when I let them install the slider flex.
So I ripped open my Play last week (I used to tear down K800's and K810's and successfully put them back) just to check the innards of my beautiful phone, and to my surprise I can't seem to properly put back the slider flex!!! So I technically tore it apart during the reinstallation (I don't care, besides it's getting replaced ).
I was just thinking, what if Service Centers here still don't know what they're doing and do the same mistake I did? Yes I ordered 3 pieces of the flex but I don't want them to be using them all up just because of their stupidity.
If you guys would be just so kind and show me a video how to properly reinstall the slider flex, it would be a real big help, REALLY! Not only will I save money for train fare to the nearest service center, I will also have saved labor costs and time as you know I am training for EMT and I have a very tight schedule.
I already watched a tear down video on YouTube but it doesn't help that much.
Thanks people!
Hoping to hear from you soon!
I really missed my Play... It's already a month since it broke. Please help a fellow get back to his ecstatic gaming days again!
A couple of things before i post a video..
1. Why did you try and do the repair yourself if you have no experience, you may have damaged something other then the slider flex and might as well get a new phone, what i would have done is returned the phone to the original place i purchased it from.
2. The Sony center where u live must have some quality control/expertise otherwise they wouldn't be working there, Are you still sure they can replace the slider flex for you even if you have voided the warranty by opening the phone?
3. If they damage the phone further when they try the repair, blame them and ask for a replacement or compensation. As it's an official part of Sony (I think so going by what your saying) this shouldn't be a problem.
There are a few disassembly videos on YouTube, this is the easiest to follow
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-3n5ZfkqhzE
The slider flex disassembly is at 3:00
Try this as well
http://www.xperiablog.net/2011/01/10/playstation-phone-xperia-play-completely-disassembled/
And I've linked a full disassembly guide
Before anything else I'd like to say thanks for the reply.
My answers:
1. I only wanted to peek inside it, not to really repair it. I may have no experience in repairing Xperia phones, but I have a lot of experience on the old Cyber-Shot line of phones from Sony Ericsson. I'm tried enough to know what may break, how delicate flex/ribbon cables can be, or what static electricity may cause to the device. A lot of people still owe me big time for repairing their Cyber-Shot phones.
Swear, my Play was back in shape after tearing it down, excluding the slider flex of course as I kinda did that intentionally. Like I said, besides it's going to be replaced.
2. Sony Ericsson Service Centers here in the Philippines, for your information, have received many criticizing blows from blogs and forums alike not only because some of their staff/personnel are pricks and assholes (including the women, REALLY!), but they sometimes do technical errors that worsen the condition of the phone. I remember one guy from the forum whose phone's condition worsened because SE technicians forgot to replace one part. He had to bring his phone all the way to our capital city and that's around a thousand kilometers from where he lives.
I would probably want to take the repair in my hands because if anything bad's going to happen, there's only myself to blame. Besides, I bought 3 slider flexes, just in case I break one.
3. I'd really let hell break loose if they break my phone, SWEAR!
PS: Regarding bringing back the phone to them, or about breaking the warranty when I opened it, that's a problem long disregarded. I live in the Philippines, and my Play was bought by my mom-in-law in Hong Kong when she was working there. So basically, the warranty is only honored in HK, and there's no way I'm going there anytime soon. I've got some (but not much) money to spend for repairs and collateral damage.
Again, thanks for the reply. I'll be checking those out.
Apparently, that video was the same one I used when I first opened my Play. The installation of the flex wasn't shown that much. Besides, when I opened my Play, the flex was folded in a position that obscures the proper fitting of the PCB, that's why I tore it. It's kinda weird.
The instructions from the Chinese website wasn't that helpful at all. They skipped many parts.
Additionally, I would like to know how do I disconnect the digitizer flex. I can't seem to successfully dislodge the S-like flex from the PCB.
narflynn619 said:
Apparently, that video was the same one I used when I first opened my Play. The installation of the flex wasn't shown that much. Besides, when I opened my Play, the flex was folded in a position that obscures the proper fitting of the PCB, that's why I tore it. It's kinda weird.
The instructions from the Chinese website wasn't that helpful at all. They skipped many parts.
Additionally, I would like to know how do I disconnect the digitizer flex. I can't seem to successfully dislodge the S-like flex from the PCB.
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It should be in the manual, it's an official repair manual for the phone just look through it carefully
thanks yet again ff7fan4eva, i skimmed through it last night and found what i was looking for..
I have been having documents like that (the pdf disassembly guide) since java days. So if it's an official repair manual (I doubt because the English in the manual sucks hahaha), do SE technicians use them for real? Then I might as well let SE guys here in my country repair my phone after all. Besides, when reading the manual you posted, I don't seem to have that conductive foam that covers the slider/hinge flex that needs to be replaced once detached.
So again, the question, could SE technicians be using these kinds of documents because they're official? I'm just worried technicians here aren't that well-versed yet on repairing a R800i since the phone was released here just a month ago. I don't want any more damage done to my phone anymore. I waited long enough just for the replacement of the hinge flex. I FRACKIN' MISS MY PHONE!!!!!!
the replacement parts haven't arrived yet, I'm freakin irritated! grrrr!!!!
anyway, are those parts from GUltek GENUINE? AS IN OEM????
I'm pretty sure there are trained NOT JUST BY WATCHING A YOUTUBE video that's why they are hired as service technicians.
better let them screw things up for you rather than you screw them yourself.. at least you can blame someone for not doing a good job )))
you should have consulted SE Center first and canvas for the pricing before tearing your phone apart.. they could have the parts your looking for all ORIGINAL and not BOOTLEG..
magkano lang LRT $0.50 bucks lang.. haha
my phone's back from the dead! with genuine parts from abroad installed by SE Glorietta! yey!
no parts yet here in the philippines, probably early next year they told me
@nygel8
yabang mo
With the development of high end smartphones over recent years, the mobile phone technology has made huge improvement. However such progress has also come with some drawbacks. One of the drawbacks is the cost of mobile phone repairs. Thanks to the introduction of touch screen technology, the cost of replacing a scratched or broken screen is now more expensive than ever. The cost of repairing a cracked or scratched phone will not be contained in the warranty, therefore users can get the repair done by themselves to save some fee. Users can buy LCD Screen and Digitizer Replacement Parts (HEX Electronics Technology Co. Ltd) for DIY repairs. The following is a brief introduction of the benefits of purchasing LCD screen and digitizer replacement parts to repair a smartphone.
Cost
The overwhelming advantage of purchasing LCD screen and digitizer replacement parts to repair a smartphone is definitely the cost. The spare parts will cost very little, you just need some time, patience and a bit of knowledge to make smartphones as well as before without breaking the bank. Furthermore, if you are not careful enough, it is likely that your mobile is going to be damaged again. However, by this means, there is no need to worry about treating the phone differently; just make sure the spare parts are at hand.
Availability
When a screen is damaged it is highly likely that most of the functionality of the phone has lost. And it is incredibly frustrating, especially if repair shops are closed or it is simply not the right time to get to the relevant location during working hours. However a DIY repair can take less than an hour so that the phone is back up and running very soon.
Quality
When taking a phone to a repair shop, it is never certain what type of replacement part will be used unless it is specifically guaranteed. And sometimes, the quality of the spare part is not on offer. However by choosing an LCD screen and digitizer personally and repairing it at home, it is to be more certain about the quality of the spare parts.
LCD screen got scratches, I think while applying Scratch guard, that man has used some different cleaning liquid and that liquid removed the scratch resistance layer, so it exposed the main lcd and got scratches, thats what I think.
And after that, my N5 was dropped in bucket of water. After doing so much of hard work I removed all water with hair dryer. Mobile is working perfectly. But screen got damaged, screen looks wired and some water in it. I waited for 2 weeks but still water is there.
I bought N5 from play store.
I went to the LG service center, they said as you opened up the device warranty is void now. So they told me replacement cost is 7500 rs. for LCD and for LCD + digitizer cost is 8000 rs.
Are they provide warranty with the new screen if its again damaged?
what if the lcd showing some pixel after few days? there are some chances that LCD can be fake or not upto quality of original LCD of N5. Did anyone replaced their N5 LCD?
Anyone still in warranty (India), are LG service center providing replacement with nominal fees or for free?
I want to replace LCD + assembly. Please guide me through this. Should I buy from online store, street store or replace it by Authorized LG Service Center.
Thank You.
Hello
Today my Z1C digitizer got broken (cracked), it got broken without any drops, I suspect phone bend or something, but I can't find real reason why it cracked in 1 place.
LCD is in perfect condition. I wanted to order digitizer however everyone offer complete expensive set (digitizer with lcd etc).
Is there possible to repair phone by only replacing digitizer or Z1C have digitizer integrated with lcd, or there is something why all offer full set only ?
Golempl said:
Hello
Today my Z1C digitizer got broken (cracked), it got broken without any drops, I suspect phone bend or something, but I can't find real reason why it cracked in 1 place.
LCD is in perfect condition. I wanted to order digitizer however everyone offer complete expensive set (digitizer with lcd etc).
Is there possible to repair phone by only replacing digitizer or Z1C have digitizer integrated with lcd, or there is something why all offer full set only ?
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My screen developed a hairline crack, the same as you, I couldn't work out how it happened, I didn't drop it or anything.
I raised a call to Sony support to say that the top half of the screen had stopped responding (true), didn't mention crack as it was almost impossible to see.
After doing the ususal 'plug it in to PC Companion and repair' guidance from the helpdesk, it was decided to send it back to service centre.
7 days later my phone was back with repaired screen, no cost.
I think Sony are brilliant for repairing screen damage, I don't know of any other manufacturer that does that.
Try to get your phone repaired on warranty.