Is the back casing important? - Verizon Galaxy Note 4 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

I was wondering what role the back cover of the note 4 is for?
Mostly asking because I might have ruined it when I was trying to put this stupid carbon fiber skin on it -_-;; Why did I think using a hair dryer would be okay... *face desk On the bright side, I'm pretty sure I exposed only the back cover to heat and not the phone itself lol d: If I did I'm dumb and don't deserve this phone >->
Anyways, I think I've accidentally ruined the back cover of my droid inc4g and the phone just never worked the same after x_x The signal sucked and the battery stopped holding a charge... x: I'm using an s-cover case on my note 4 at the moment, but still curious in case I ever decide to use something else for protection s:

nope
Samsung even makes a flip cover case where you remove the back completely, you don't have to worry about the cover.
However, if there was any damage to the phone itself, but they take some pretty good heat.
I live in SoCal and left it a couple times in my car and it was like 107 outside, so!

Check out ebay. You can get all kinds of back replacement plates at good deals.
Eve b customized ones if you prefer

rusty.gh said:
Samsung even makes a flip cover case where you remove the back completely, you don't have to worry about the cover.
However, if there was any damage to the phone itself, but they take some pretty good heat.
I live in SoCal and left it a couple times in my car and it was like 107 outside, so!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Probably should let this thread die but...
What is this part of the back cover for? Never really found out I think.. or I just have bad memory :silly:

107? I live I Phoenix and just going outside exposes the phone to 117+ on a regular basis. Heck I have even mistakenly left my phone in the car before and it gets 160+ easy in there. I bet it will be ok

Related

Resolved, PLEASE DELETE.

Please delete this thread!
I guess nobody can help? I'm really serious here.
my advice regarding roms... just read the sticky threads in the rom sub forum and follow the instructions. Once you flash your first rom you'll realize that the stress was all for nothing. I probably flash a new rom to my phone every week.
Regarding your moisture question. No, holding the phone in your hand wont cause moisture damnage unless you happen to be holding it in your hand under water Keep in mind that the back cases arent exactly air tight so regardless of whether you have the back cover on or not humidity from the air still gets in there.
The battery... It's not meant to just pop out willy nilly. You have to pry it out. If it was loose enough to fall out on its own it would just shake around on the inside of the phone which definatly wouldnt be a good thing.
I know when I put on my case (I have the Tilt 2 so if we ever need to soft reset the phone and want to do it by the red reset button we have to take the case off to do it) there's a good solid click when I press it into place. Especially if I'm putting the back cover on with the stylus still in the phone. These things were designed for that specific reason.... that you know when its closed, hense the click right? Just give'er. You wont break it.
Re: scratched screen.... if you havnt already get some screen protectors from your carrier or off ebay. 5-10 dollars for a pack of 3 or more. You'll notice that with the screen protectors on your screen gets a ton more scratches BUT it will be the protector and not the screen itself. The screen itself has a coating on it that makes it scratch resistent, to an extent. The screen protectors dont really have that BUT they will save the screen from gouges for sure.
As far as cases go I know I had a silicone case for the touch pro and it drove me nuts. To the point where I only used it for a week and took it off. It never seemed to fit right and seemed flakey. A friend of mine bought a hard case for their touch pro 2 at the mall and paid around 20 dollars and its actually a pretty solid looking and feeling thing. To take it off it takes some finesse, like when you want to take the battery out etc, both it did seem like a good investment. I keep my phone in a case on my hip so I wont be getting one but it did look good.
Hope this helps with some of your questions.
Thanks, but still aprehensive towards the rom and battery cover.
Mate, look at it this way, is a phone you're going to use or a decoration/ jewelry...
Whats the point of owning something you are too afraid to use because you could break it. You may as well put it in a vaccuum sealed storage locker and never take it out because the oxygen in the air and the oils and acids on your skin is going to eventually deteriorate the whole thing, will take a few hundred years but you know, better to be safe than sorry....
Lol, that's a good Idea. This has only been since the mysterious incident that required a hard reset.

48 Hours later, I broke my screen

Figures; just 2 nights after buying my GN, i managed to shatter the screen.
The sad part is I don't even remember it happening. WAY TOO MUCH GIN LAST NIGHT. Anyway, It looks like i dropped it face down, or tweaked the phone. Idk.
I took my case off so that it would be easier to get the phone in and out of my pocket. Bad move.
Has anyone else pulled a smooth move and done this as well yet? I have a feeling the screen of the GN is going to be easy to break.
I had a similar story with my Droid Charge. Don't remember explicitly what happened and then the next thing I know the screen was broken...
I bought the GN and got insurance this time. Expensive lesson to learn... =(
Samsung really f'ed up on this phone. It feels so incredibly fragile like i'd be worried to squeeze it too hard or it'll break or something... so much flimsy plastic crap. especially the battery cover, what the hell is that!?...
i guess we're going to need to put some heavy duty cases/screen protectors on this phone.
trying to see if i can claim through warranty before i go through insurance.
if i only had the case on...
voxigenboy said:
Samsung really f'ed up on this phone. It feels so incredibly fragile like i'd be worried to squeeze it too hard or it'll break or something... so much flimsy plastic crap. especially the battery cover, what the hell is that!?...
i guess we're going to need to put some heavy duty cases/screen protectors on this phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Do me a favor and squeeze your phone right now... there is no way your going to break it. And I personally enjoy the back. If they had used another back the phone would be thicker. As far as the screen is concerned, go with zagg.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda premium
Yup o fumbled it this morning. Bounced around a few times but luckily it only managed to scuff the bottom by the USB port. Not too bad but I never drop my phones.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk
Honestly, I'm gonna have to agree.
GN seems pretty damn fragile at this point.
Being young, I've dropped many phones. My last phone, a BB Storm2 (I know, I know), just got dropped face down last week. Maximum result of damage? The corner of the screen chipped a tiny bit.
With how exposed the GN screen is, and even because it's curved...
Reiterating again, I will definitely be investing in cases for this phone. Anyone have experience with cases that come in and out of jeans pockets easily?
I would imagine if it was face down and pressed on it would easily crack.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda premium
voxigenboy said:
Samsung really f'ed up on this phone. It feels so incredibly fragile like i'd be worried to squeeze it too hard or it'll break or something... so much flimsy plastic crap. especially the battery cover, what the hell is that!?...
i guess we're going to need to put some heavy duty cases/screen protectors on this phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No they didn't. Ant phone can break if its dropped just right. The only thing you can do is be as smart and careful as possible and have insurance.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk
voxigenboy said:
Samsung really f'ed up on this phone. It feels so incredibly fragile like i'd be worried to squeeze it too hard or it'll break or something... so much flimsy plastic crap. especially the battery cover, what the hell is that!?...
i guess we're going to need to put some heavy duty cases/screen protectors on this phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Lol gimme a break. You can do that damage to any phone on the market today without much trouble.
You mad Bro?
JK
I used to be a awesome phone, but then I took an arrow to the screen.
[hfm] said:
No they didn't. Ant phone can break if its dropped just right. The only thing you can do is be as smart and careful as possible and have insurance.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I can't agree anymore. Any phone can break if it is dropped just right.
I dropped it while hopping a wall earlier, not a scratch. It landed on the screen, but the contoured display worked.
simple fix.
dont drop the phone. I dropped my droid 1 like once and never dropped my TB. wont drop this one either.
voxigenboy said:
Samsung really f'ed up on this phone. It feels so incredibly fragile like i'd be worried to squeeze it too hard or it'll break or something... so much flimsy plastic crap. especially the battery cover, what the hell is that!?...
i guess we're going to need to put some heavy duty cases/screen protectors on this phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry, accidentally clicked thanks.
But what I was saying. I agree on the battery cover. As far as build quality, of the three phones I own (don't like selling them), the droid 1 feels like the most solidly built. It also feels the heaviest due to the keyboard. As far as the screen, it's glass. Glass breaks or shatters. If you want a screen that doesn't break, get a plastic screen or we could have thicker glass. I agree with the others on how it's dropped. I've dropped my Incredible a few times on pavement, even face down. The only thing that saved it was the lips on the case. The curved glass may contribute. Screen protectors will not really absorb the impact to prevent shattering or breakage.
Bulletproof glass on phones? Lol.
It doesn't feel much cheaper to me though I don't like the battery cover but it probably is related to being thinner than say HTC.
Damn!! I cry for you !! Good luck getting it repaired or replaced through samsung. I dropped my gnex waist down on a hardtop carpet, and surprisingly no scuffs or anything..
48 hours later, and I've got a chip in my glass! I had a ring thrown at me, I was sitting on a couch and my Nexus was face up on the couch itself but half covered by my shirt. The ring just happened to land on it and bounce off. Tiny chip, but I'm so frustrated with myself about it! I dropped my Desire a few times on concrete and all that happened was small dents, now the tiniest little ring knocks it and there you go. Annoyed that I didn't have it facing down, or in my pocket! I hate screen protectors, I prefer pouch cases so I can just put it in there as much as possible.
Going to go to the store I got it from tomorrow and hope to swap it for a brand new one... Wish me luck.
Tadddd said:
Honestly, I'm gonna have to agree.
GN seems pretty damn fragile at this point.
Being young, I've dropped many phones. My last phone, a BB Storm2 (I know, I know), just got dropped face down last week. Maximum result of damage? The corner of the screen chipped a tiny bit.
With how exposed the GN screen is, and even because it's curved...
Reiterating again, I will definitely be investing in cases for this phone. Anyone have experience with cases that come in and out of jeans pockets easily?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So let me get this straight.....you go get drunk, damage your phone, and don't even know what you did to damage it, and it's Samsung's fault because the phone seems fragile?! You don't even know what you did to it. For all you know, you might have pretended to be scoring a touchdown and spiked the phone down to the ground. I don't see how this has anything to do with the phone being fragile as much as it has to do with you not being able to care for your things.
So you got too drunk and broke your expensive new phone, what's the point of making a thread about it?
Try drinking less next weekend, when you lose control of your limbs and start breaking things that your body telling you something.
This bad boy is popular in the UK for avoiding incidents like the OP's...
http://www.pocket-lint.com/news/30746/tesco-mobile-vx1i-surprise-hit

Back cover won't snap in at the bottom left corner

It's only been 1 week and the poor quality, flimsy back cover is showing wear and tear. It won't get into its allocated slot, and by the looks of it, seems that it became a fraction shorter.
It always seems click in better for me if I start at the bottom and work up.
TareX said:
It's only been 1 week and the poor quality, flimsy back cover is showing wear and tear. It won't get into its allocated slot, and by the looks of it, seems that it became a fraction shorter.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You're not putting it in correctly. Gotta make sure the bottom tabs are before you start snapping the rest. I have more success getting the right tab in first and messing around till the other tab falls in and the bottom of the cover kisses the phone.
My grandma beat me down and took my nexus. Sent from a jitterbug with beats by dre.
SOLVED: Thanks to this guy from androidcentral:
"Originally Posted by DBVille: And, make SURE the hooks aren't bent up. I am betting the hooks have been bent up, at least on one side, from trying to push it closed. (dont ask how I know). Look very closely at the hooks. Put your finger nail under them and pry them up/apart from the back if they are too close to the cover to engage the clips on the phone. When done right, it just snaps on. But, you must get the bottom done first."
The hooks were bent up... fixed them with my nails. Now it snaps back on. Still pretty cheap though.
Or user error?
My grandma beat me down and took my nexus. Sent from a jitterbug with beats by dre.
you're not supposed to snap in the bottom hooks, you lock them in first, then snap in the ones rest...
wonshikee said:
you're not supposed to snap in the bottom hooks, you lock them in first, then snap in the ones rest...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
+1 this is how I do it...common sense...
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using XDA App
Happen to me too the first week. I'm a pro now.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda premium
God, the build quality and camera are a real disappointment on this phone. thanks for the tip on bending up the tabs.. worked for me..
never the OP's fault that he doesnt know how to put the back cover on.. always Samsung's fault for not making it tard proof.
Zepius said:
never the OP's fault he doesnt know how to put the back cover on.. always Samsung's fault for not making tard proof.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Admittedly the back cover of the GN is one of the more complicated ones to put back onto the phone.
Do not force it on - if you do it right, it will go back on with just a little pressure. Like others said before you have to start at the bottom latches and work your way up from there. Note that the bottom latches are different from the others and do not snap in like the rest.
I'm extremely pleased with the build quality of this phone! A product feels VERY well build when you can't make it flex slightly or make the battery cover creak by squeasing the phone a certain way! Looking at you, HTC! The DInc, Thunderbolt, and Rezound that I've had all suffered from that. (Though I couldn't make the Thunderbolt flex)
And anytime you drop an HTC phone, first the battery door flies in the air, then the battery pops out -.-
Samsung on the other hand, the Nexus is VERY solid, battery door doesn't creak nor does the frame. No creaking sounds at all. I cannot flex the phone. What is it with people dissing Samsung for making plastic phones, what do you want them to do? Engineer a new compound? Geez
As so many have pointed out, the cover doesn't snap at the bottom; you start there by inserting the bottom hooks, then snap the sides and top.
In fact, I've found the easiest, most effective way to do it is laying out face down, insert the bottom hooks, then zip up both sides together with my thumbs, finishing with effortlessly snapping the top in.
As for the build, I couldn't disagree more strongly. The back design is brilliant. The phone overall is rock solid, and has solved the common back pop-off battery pop-out of most phones today.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda premium
I was at a Verizon store last night. Picked up the phone from the display they had it in. The back cover fell off along with the security device. Does the cover have issues staying on? Would a case solve this issue?
Tisosview said:
I was at a Verizon store last night. Picked up the phone from the display they had it in. The back cover fell off along with the security device. Does the cover have issues staying on? Would a case solve this issue?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There is no issue if you put it on correctly.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk
Careful because our store model had a broken back cover since day one. Two sided take is holding it together at the moment.
Tisosview said:
I was at a Verizon store last night. Picked up the phone from the display they had it in. The back cover fell off along with the security device. Does the cover have issues staying on? Would a case solve this issue?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Happens at all the stores. Some have ziptied the backcover back on . However, it really is a non issue. In the case of the store phones, the heavy security device that is glued onto the back cover, pulls very hard at the back cover and it creates issues. In reality, given that it is a completely flat piece of plastic that is sitting flush against your phone with no handles, there is no way to exert even remotely the same amount of outward forces on the back cover.
While removing and putting on the backcover doesn't feel great, the cover does a great job, helps keep the phone slim and light, and looks pretty damn good. The store model did put me off due to this same issue with the security device, but I have had absolutely no issues with the backcover, or the phone feeling flimsy (and I came to the GN from the OG!).
LOL the back cover is well built imo. Just because it is thin does not mean it is of poor construction.The people who are having problems just aren't bothering to learn how to put it on. You don't just snap the whole thing on. Put any backcover on incorrectly and you risk damaging it.
I remove my back cover regularly to swap SIMs and although I've had it since release day not only does it look the same as it did when I bought it but it functions perfectly too (stays on nice and tight).
TLDR; If your tabs are bent you're doing it wrong. Don't blame design for your lack of intelligence.
Thank you for the replies. It is reassuring.
I found it funny that the security really didn't work for this device. Since the alarm didn't go off when the back fell off.
Bottom tabs get bent up
I've had my GN for a little over a week. The problem that I have, and I assume the others have, is that the tabs at the bottom get bent up so that they can't hook in.
I bent them down with my fingernail so that they are horizontal again, and it clicked in fine.
My concern is that this is already a problem after a week, and plastic can only take so much bending and fatigue before it totally breaks, which will eventually occur. I would imagine that at least some people who have had their GNs since launch have already experienced this.
Frankly, I think this is a manufacturing issue that Samsung should ultimately address.

modified back cover

so, i've got way too much time on my hands and was looking for a brushed aluminum style back cover to match our cameras online. I could find nothing. i started looking into the process of melting aluminum, which is surprisingly easy, as is creating the brushed effect. as of right now i currently have my back cover pushed into some drywall mud (no modeling clay) and drying so that i can form the second half of my mold. just thought i would inform you guys of my insanity!
TL;DR : trying to make an aluminum back cover from scratch.
extravillager said:
so, i've got way too much time on my hands and was looking for a brushed aluminum style back cover to match our cameras online. I could find nothing. i started looking into the process of melting aluminum, which is surprisingly easy, as is creating the brushed effect. as of right now i currently have my back cover pushed into some drywall mud (no modeling clay) and drying so that i can form the second half of my mold. just thought i would inform you guys of my insanity!
TL;DR : trying to make an aluminum back cover from scratch.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I wonder how that will work as far as cooling is concerned. Post some pics when you've got it all set.
dbjungle said:
I wonder how that will work as far as cooling is concerned. Post some pics when you've got it all set.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think antenna reception would be a bigger concern. Still, I would totally plunk down some cash to buy one, if you figure out how to do something easily repeatable...
Keep us posted, this sounds like a really cool idea!
i'll definitely let you guys know how it goes. good to know people care because it will keep me from stopping half-way through. haha. i'll probably do most of it this weekend. the drywall mud was pretty dumb, im probably going to use a greensand mold and see what i can do with that. ill just do the dividing line along the back of the back cover.
the bad news: greensand is hard as hell to find at stores or anything
good news: i have scrap aluminum, and i can borrow my girlfriend's dad's propane torch. i went out and bought plaster of paris tonight. Going to set up the mold tomorrow morning and once it is hardened i can start the process of melting+pouring+setting the aluminum in the mold.
turns out walmart sells plaster of paris in a big purple box covered in flowers, which made it somewhat difficult to find considering nobody there knew what it was....
bottom half of the mold is set and drying. here's hoping i can get it back out. haha.
Looks like it might be kinda hard making sure the holes for the speaker are cut out properly!
i made sure the plaster got far enough into the holes to make an imprint, but not far enough to seal the back to the mold.
extravillager said:
i made sure the plaster got far enough into the holes to make an imprint, but not far enough to seal the back to the mold.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thats good! Do you have a dremel or something else to smoothen out edges? Molds typically create a lot of extra garbage on the side that needs to be cut off... Your using aluminum right?
If yours comes out good and doesnt hinder the signal quality too bad, i think i might do the same
PMad said:
thats good! Do you have a dremel or something else to smoothen out edges? Molds typically create a lot of extra garbage on the side that needs to be cut off... Your using aluminum right?
If yours comes out good and doesnt hinder the signal quality too bad, i think i might do the same
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yeah, i've got plenty of tools and scrap aluminum. depending on how well it turns out/how it affects the phone i may offer to sell them to people on here.
that isnt to say that buying one will be the only way to get one. I will be sure to post a full and detailed tutorial when i am finished for anyone adventurous enough to attempt it.
No to be a pessimist but did you notice that there is something on the original cover that seems to be taped in the cover? I figure an antenna?
How will you do it?
sent from LG OPTIMUS LTE using Tapatalk
I've noticed no difference in signal quality with the back cover removed so I don't think the back cover's antenna helps a whole lot lol.
Sent from my LG-P930 using XDA
stemalo said:
No to be a pessimist but did you notice that there is something on the original cover that seems to be taped in the cover? I figure an antenna?
How will you do it?
sent from LG OPTIMUS LTE using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i've been without a back cover while it is setting for about a day now and haven't noticed any adverse effects.
bottom mold is done, and looking pretty good besides a few air bubbles that i need to fill.
You may want to look at the back cover a little more closely. The warning message to not scratch the sheet makes me think the back cover also helps to serve as an antenna possibly??? Not sure, but it seems odd to have the warning.
About the sticker being an antennae, that never crossed my mind. For some reason I always assumed it was something to distribute heat away from the battery.
Both possibilities seem very plausible though.
schwin97 said:
You may want to look at the back cover a little more closely. The warning message to not scratch the sheet makes me think the back cover also helps to serve as an antenna possibly??? Not sure, but it seems odd to have the warning.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
it crossed my mind. however, like i said earlier, i was using the phone without a back for over a day and a half and didnt notice any adverse side effects (aside from the battery falling out.)
schwin97 said:
You may want to look at the back cover a little more closely. The warning message to not scratch the sheet makes me think the back cover also helps to serve as an antenna possibly??? Not sure, but it seems odd to have the warning.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think thats for NFC
nfc would be nice. How do we use it if its there?
Sent from my LG-P930 using XDA App

*Updated* Hav'nt had a Screen Protector or Case on my Note 7 since the recall ...

Welp ... Fast forward 5 days, and I caught it in direct sunlight and this phone is just riddled with light scratches, you have to hold the phone just right and have the perfect lighting to see. But they're definitely there. Especially the curved edges for the phone goes from flat to curved, almost as if right before the glass curves down the glass is right up just a fraction of a mm ...
I apologize to anyone I doubted!
I coddle this phone like an egg ... and still scratches .... The places I have scratches are the bottom back center (looks like a popular place if you search Note 7 scratches) and the bottom left corner of the front down by the capacitive button.
Both "patches" of scratches looks like they were rubbed off something rough, the scratches aren't deep, but you can still feel them with your nail ever so slightly and in the light the patches look dull compared to the rest of the phone. I'd bet they'd probably buff out, but I'm not gonna bother trying at least with this phone.
Never dropped, always in my pocket by itself, never slide it across the table or my desk or anything. I usually set it on something on my desk like a piece of paper and then slide the piece of paper around instead of the phone, so the back doesnt rub off anything, the paper eats the friction and not the phone.
Sad ... for sure, But luckily I have a replacement that just came in this morning sitting at home that i haven't opened yet, I think before I even set it up or anything I will protect it front and back ... damn shame, I had so much faith in this phones durability and didn't want to believe it was so scratch prone, but I was wrong.
Looks like Cases and Protectors from here on out!
I advise everyone who cares about their phone to do the same.
I'll slap some pictures up of my scratches as soon as I can get some taken.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ORIGINAL POST:
So ...
Since the day or so after the initial recall I decided for once in my life I'll throw caution to the wind and take the plunge of no case or screen protector on my phone, It made me a little sick to my stomach to peel off the screen protector and case and take off for a busy day of work and school with nothing protecting my phone from damage. I figured I'd see a plethora of scratches by the end of the day, and I was able to try this test out because of the recall and Samsung promising to take the phone back regardless of the condition. To my surprise, nothing, not a single scratch, day 2, same and so on.
Fast forward a few weeks, recall phone is traded - STILL IN PERFECT CONDITION, not a screen protector or case has touched it in weeks. Granted I still coddled it, but no different than I would any phone I've had, and I treated the phone like it had a Screen Protector and case on it. Threw it in my pocket, laid it on my desk at work, sat it in my center console in my truck etc. Not a single scratch or dent.
Trade the phone in on Sept 21st and got my new "Safe" Note7, decided that I finally felt comfortable with going "Naked" on my phone after the recall device and have since, so about another week with my "Safe" device and still not a single mark or scratch to be found. I'm actually in the process of getting a replacement for my replacement through Samsung, nothing major, just a lack of quality control on Samsung's part that I have an issue with with this replacement device and Samsung is giving me no hassle about it. I assume my phone suffered from the rush of trying to fix the recall ... but who knows.
Anyways, I will continue going "naked" on this phone, I have no reason not to. And a screen protector just destroys the feeling of this beautiful phones feel and functionality, and really so does a case. i own the LED Wallet case which I love and plan to use here and there, and I probably own around 20 other various cases that I'm sure I will use for fun here and there, But for the most part I've felt the "Naked" feeling and there's no going back lol.
Point of this thread is, I'm not sure how people that are complaining about this phone being "easily scratched" are treating their phones, or if they maybe got defective glass or something. I haven't had a single problem, and when i say I'm anal about my phones it's an understatement, and I feel 100% confident in using this phone protection-free on a daily basis. Obviously you still have to take care of this phone and be extremely careful .... it's made of glass after all. And I cant endorse its drop capabilities lol, That i have no idea of, and hope i never do. But for anyone wondering how this phone holds up with no protection and a pretty active daily use ... so far with my Note7 ... perfectly fine, still looks like the day I opened it.
What issues did you have with your replacement that has caused them to replace the replacement?
This is an interesting test to run - i still have my original one, and the replacement, because Samsung decided the closest drop-off location for me is about 3.5-4 hours away without traffic... I'll be waiting until they call and give me another method to return it. Think I might carry it around and see how it holds up... would be an interesting test, as I'm pretty hard on my devices.
really good to hear your note 7 not scratching easily, I think most ef the people posting geting scratches out of the blue, were careless, honestly not remembering what could have probably scratched their phone, it just takes 2 or 3 people reporting the same thing to drive many others real paranoid, I got my note7 on 29th Aug, and not a single scratch, I treat my phone as any other one, if you spend a sizeable ammount of money, the best way to do is use common sense, and normal level of care
I've never used a screen protector on my original and now replacement Note and all is fine. Now I definitely use a case cause i find this phone too slippery without one... I do take caution, always put it down/away if distracted with something else and never place it in my pocket with anything else like your supposed to.
Sent from my SM-N930P using Tapatalk
asaqwert said:
What issues did you have with your replacement that has caused them to replace the replacement?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The metal bezel on the left hand side of the phone is sharp, like almost razor-blade sharp. You cant see if from looking at it, but you can scrap your hand off it and it feels sharp and uncomfortable to hold. and the corners of the phone where the back glass meet the metal is also sharp on all 4 corners, the right side of the phone is smooth as silk though. very weird, but almost seems like it was clued together fast and off centered and shipped out to meet demand. $900 for a phone i HAS to be as perfect as possible, but this one wasn't forgivable.
winol said:
really good to hear your note 7 not scratching easily, I think most ef the people posting geting scratches out of the blue, were careless, honestly not remembering what could have probably scratched their phone, it just takes 2 or 3 people reporting the same thing to drive many others real paranoid, I got my note7 on 29th Aug, and not a single scratch, I treat my phone as any other one, if you spend a sizeable ammount of money, the best way to do is use common sense, and normal level of care
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Yep, just be careful, life happens and that's not up to you, but if you're careful and conscious of your phone on you you should be alright, my wife is horrible about that, I drive a beefed up semi-lifted truck and EVERY time she goes anywhere with me, she places her phone on her lap and then hops out of my truck forgetting the phone was sitting on her lap. Drives me nuts. Her Note 4 has seen some shxt in its day, but still looks good and functions perfect, she wants to upgrade to a Note 7 which i hope she does, but shes gonna have to start paying more attention, because one of those falls out of my truck is going to destroy a Note 7 lol. Clumsiness for the most part can be prevented, just being aware, my phone is the most expensive thing I carry on me, so I always make sure its protected, and to be honest I've seen people smash phones wrapped in tempered glass screen protectors and otter-boxes, stuff happens, but I do my best to avoid it.
Itchiee said:
I've never used a screen protector on my original and now replacement Note and all is fine. Now I definitely use a case cause i find this phone too slippery without one... I do take caution, always put it down/away if distracted with something else and never place it in my pocket with anything else like your supposed to.
Sent from my SM-N930P using Tapatalk
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Oh this phone naked is like holding a wet bar of soap, its horribly slippery, But I guess that's the price you pay for a beautiful glass device lol I enjoy the way the glass looks and feels, but I do fear the slipperiness of it, so for me again anytime I pull mine out of my pocket I always ensure my grip is on point, anytime I feel the need to "whip" my phone out really fast I take a breath and realize that i don't actually need to lol, and when I hold the phone, i comfortably hold it with my pinkie finger under it so the phone rests on my finger. Bottom line ... take care of your stuff and be mindful and you should be alright, people treat phones like crap then complain that it cant take a beating ... drives me nuts ... its glass. Treat it like a $900 piece of glass lol.
Welp ... Fast forward 5 days, and I caught it in direct sunlight and this phone is just riddled with light scratches, you have to hold the phone just right and have the perfect lighting to see. But they're definitely there. Especially the curved edges for the phone goes from flat to curved, almost as if right before the glass curves down the glass is right up just a fraction of a mm ...
I apologize to anyone I doubted!
I coddle this phone like an egg ... and still scratches .... The places I have scratches are the bottom back center (looks like a popular place if you search Note 7 scratches) and the bottom left corner of the front down by the capacitive button.
Both "patches" of scratches looks like they were rubbed off something rough, the scratches aren't deep, but you can still feel them with your nail ever so slightly and in the light the patches look dull compared to the rest of the phone. I'd bet they'd probably buff out, but I'm not gonna bother trying at least with this phone.
Never dropped, always in my pocket by itself, never slide it across the table or my desk or anything. I usually set it on something on my desk like a piece of paper and then slide the piece of paper around instead of the phone, so the back doesnt rub off anything, the paper eats the friction and not the phone.
Sad ... for sure, But luckily I have a replacement that just came in this morning sitting at home that i haven't opened yet, I think before I even set it up or anything I will protect it front and back ... damn shame, I had so much faith in this phones durability and didn't want to believe it was so scratch prone, but I was wrong.
Looks like Cases and Protectors from here on out!
I advise everyone who cares about their phone to do the same.
I'll slap some pictures up of my scratches as soon as I can get some taken.
Dmac1984 said:
Welp ... Fast forward 5 days, and I caught it in direct sunlight and this phone is just riddled with light scratches, you have to hold the phone just right and have the perfect lighting to see. But they're definitely there. Especially the curved edges for the phone goes from flat to curved, almost as if right before the glass curves down the glass is right up just a fraction of a mm ...
I apologize to anyone I doubted!
I coddle this phone like an egg ... and still scratches .... The places I have scratches are the bottom back center (looks like a popular place if you search Note 7 scratches) and the bottom left corner of the front down by the capacitive button.
Both "patches" of scratches looks like they were rubbed off something rough, the scratches aren't deep, but you can still feel them with your nail ever so slightly and in the light the patches look dull compared to the rest of the phone. I'd bet they'd probably buff out, but I'm not gonna bother trying at least with this phone.
Never dropped, always in my pocket by itself, never slide it across the table or my desk or anything. I usually set it on something on my desk like a piece of paper and then slide the piece of paper around instead of the phone, so the back doesnt rub off anything, the paper eats the friction and not the phone.
Sad ... for sure, But luckily I have a replacement that just came in this morning sitting at home that i haven't opened yet, I think before I even set it up or anything I will protect it front and back ... damn shame, I had so much faith in this phones durability and didn't want to believe it was so scratch prone, but I was wrong.
Looks like Cases and Protectors from here on out!
I advise everyone who cares about their phone to do the same.
I'll slap some pictures up of my scratches as soon as I can get some taken.
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At least you have a replacement! I put a clear skin on the front and back of mine before I ever powered it on. I'm OCD and any scratches would annoy me and plus I want to keep it in mint condition so if I ever go to sell it on swappa it will be in like new condition. Even with the skin on it, I'm still babying it. What's crazy is my mother had an S4 and she is not easy on phones and after almost 2 years of use on that phone the sides and screen had not a scratch, not even a slight one (I know because I just sold it on swappa and inspected it very close). The screen and edges were still in like new mint condition. Only the removable plastic back had signs of wear. That's kind of sad when you think that a 3+ year old device made by the same company as the note 7 has a more durable screen. I replaced my V10 with the Note 7 and after months of use on my V10 with no protection it still looks new. I stopped using screen protectors and cases 3 years ago because I just hate the added bulk but unfortunately I'm not taking the chance with the Note 7. The clear skin doesn't really bother me though. And I'm thinking about also getting a calicase.
Anyway, thanks for the update. I'm glad I read all the post and not just the first one lol. I think you should edit post 1 so others who are lazy and only read post one don't go and take off their protection and then end up with scratched phones
P.S. I almost forgot. I'm actually on my second note 7 because the first one never made it out the store without getting scratched up. I had them put a screen protector on it for me and they took my phone in the back of the store for like 20 minutes and then come out with a poorly attached protector and then I inspected the phone and they had scratched the back up bad. So I made them replace it.
imucarmen said:
At least you have a replacement! I put a clear skin on the front and back of mine before I ever powered it on. I'm OCD and any scratches would annoy me and plus I want to keep it in mint condition so if I ever go to sell it on swappa it will be in like new condition. Even with the skin on it, I'm still babying it. What's crazy is my mother had an S4 and she is not easy on phones and after almost 2 years of use on that phone the sides and screen had not a scratch, not even a slight one (I know because I just sold it on swappa and inspected it very close). The screen and edges were still in like new mint condition. Only the removable plastic back had signs of wear. That's kind of sad when you think that a 3+ year old device made by the same company as the note 7 has a more durable screen. I replaced my V10 with the Note 7 and after months of use on my V10 with no protection it still looks new. I stopped using screen protectors and cases 3 years ago because I just hate the added bulk but unfortunately I'm not taking the chance with the Note 7. The clear skin doesn't really bother me though. And I'm thinking about also getting a calicase.
Anyway, thanks for the update. I'm glad I read all the post and not just the first one lol. I think you should edit post 1 so others who are lazy and only read post one don't go and take off their protection and then end up with scratched phones
P.S. I almost forgot. I'm actually on my second note 7 because the first one never made it out the store without getting scratched up. I had them put a screen protector on it for me and they took my phone in the back of the store for like 20 minutes and then come out with a poorly attached protector and then I inspected the phone and they had scratched the back up bad. So I made them replace it.
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Lol good point, I updated the first post. And yeah I'm ridiculously anal with my devices, But i'm wondering if I need to start loosening up lol. I keep these phones pristine for a year then trade them in (AT&T) my last phone the S6 Edge + (Miss that phone) was M-I-N-T when I turned it in, protector on the front and back, which looking back at it now I realized that i suffered not having the full feel of the phone so that AT&T can sell it top dollar and the next person gets a great deal on a mint phone, who for all I know will; not care and destroy it. Now I'm not saying I'm gonna start being rough with my phone, gonna use my LED case more, and I just ordered a Skinomi Full body protector (we'll see how that goes, I don't have much faith in it) and if it feels like shxt, it's coming off and I'm gonna enjoy the phone as I have been, and get my moneys worth, and AT&T can figure out to do with it when I upgrade.
The Note 7 was designed to be naked, no doubt about it ... but the execution was botched and going naked comes with a price, which sucks, but again the fact is, this isn't my phone in the end, and as much as I love it, I know i wont pay it off once the Note 8 rears its head next year lol so screw it, I'll give the Skinomi Protector a shot, if it's crap, them I'm not gonna sweat the phone getting light scratches ... I'm having a bit of an anxiety attack just typing that, But i'll just have to work at it and get through it lol
Dmac1984 said:
Lol good point, I updated the first post. And yeah I'm ridiculously anal with my devices, But i'm wondering if I need to start loosening up lol. I keep these phones pristine for a year then trade them in (AT&T) my last phone the S6 Edge + (Miss that phone) was M-I-N-T when I turned it in, protector on the front and back, which looking back at it now I realized that i suffered not having the full feel of the phone so that AT&T can sell it top dollar and the next person gets a great deal on a mint phone, who for all I know will; not care and destroy it. Now I'm not saying I'm gonna start being rough with my phone, gonna use my LED case more, and I just ordered a Skinomi Full body protector (we'll see how that goes, I don't have much faith in it) and if it feels like shxt, it's coming off and I'm gonna enjoy the phone as I have been, and get my moneys worth, and AT&T can figure out to do with it when I upgrade.
The Note 7 was designed to be naked, no doubt about it ... but the execution was botched and going naked comes with a price, which sucks, but again the fact is, this isn't my phone in the end, and as much as I love it, I know i wont pay it off once the Note 8 rears its head next year lol so screw it, I'll give the Skinomi Protector a shot, if it's crap, them I'm not gonna sweat the phone getting light scratches ... I'm having a bit of an anxiety attack just typing that, But i'll just have to work at it and get through it lol
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I got the Skinomi clear skin and its been great so far. After you attach it give it a day to settle onto the phone because at first it doesn't look good but after a few hours I noticed it looked a lot better and the next day it looked perfect. The only problem I had was getting the sides to stick. I even used a blow dryer and I just couldn't get them to stay down but I ended up using the top burners on my stove to heat the edges up and then they stuck and they haven't come up since. The s-pen still slides smooth as well with the white inserts. It does have a bit of a texture which I could see would annoy some people but it doesn't really bother me.
What material are your pockets made out of, sandpaper? My original Note 7 (recall replacement arrives today) has never seen a case or screen protector and is completely unscathed. I have not even been as gentle as you described. So weird.
Dmac1984 said:
Welp ... Fast forward 5 days, and I caught it in direct sunlight and this phone is just riddled with light scratches, you have to hold the phone just right and have the perfect lighting to see.
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I certainly believe your report of your observations and recollections, but your experience differs sharply from my own. I've been using unprotected Note 7s heavily (pre- and post-recall) for about a month, and I've acquired no scratches whatsoever.
When I check for scratches, I always use direct sunlight or a comparably bright source, and I rotate the phone through a range of angles in order to see any subtle defects. It sounds like that's not something you've been doing routinely, but rather something that just recently happened by chance. If that's the case, you may not really know when your scratches arose (or even whether your previous devices might have had similar scratches), which may complicate the diagnosis of how they occurred.
I trust we agree that the careful treatment you described could not have scratched even ordinary glass, let alone Gorilla Glass 5. So there are several possibilities. Perhaps the phone scraped against something sharp (even while it was in your pocket) without your noticing. Perhaps the process of applying or removing the case or screen protector scratched it somehow. Perhaps it came with subtle, hard-to-notice scratches already on it. Or could it even be that the phone isn't scratched, but rather has some sort of residue that rubbed off on it? (Have you tried washing it off with a wet paper towel and substantial pressure?)
Again, I trust your observations, but I'm curious as to how your scratches arose, and how your experience diverged from my own. I appreciate your taking the time to update everyone on your situation. And regardless of how the scratches happened, I'm glad you're getting a replacement.
Like i said, being so anal i looked at the phone everyday after naked use, never noticed any scratches, but last night I caught direct light at a side angle and saw the back bottom scratched, from 2 feet away from your eyes looking straight at the phone, looks perfect, up close and examining it with angled light it's def scratched.
When i say im careful, I'm careful... I got the cold sweats when i saw the scratches lol I've coddled thus phone with mittens since i got it, like i said I lay it on tbings and then move that whenever I set my phobe on my desk for no otger reason but to avoid sliding my phone on any surfaces ... pocket always empty and clean, I don't play in the dirt or go to the beach, pockets feel like normal clean pockets lol. I mean people can make excuses for tge glass, he'll i did too when i saw the initial scratch posts, even started a thread praising the scratch resistance ... I seriously don't know how much more careful you can be with a phone as i have been with this one and it still scuffed. I'll grab some pictures with the wife's phone and post them.
It almost seems like theres a raised lips right before the glass dipps down.
Attached is a pic illustrating the damage on my phone almost exactly (until i can grab a few pics) ... and also attached is why I think its happening.
Dmac1984 said:
Attached is a pic illustrating the damage on my phone almost exactly (until i can grab a few pics) ... and also attached is why I think its happening.
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You just wanted to use the fancy s-pen features and that drawing was your excuse. ;P
And I don't blame you :laugh:
Dmac1984 said:
Like i said, being so anal i looked at the phone everyday after naked use, never noticed any scratches, but last night I caught direct light at a side angle and saw the back bottom scratched, from 2 feet away from your eyes looking straight at the phone, looks perfect, up close and examining it with angled light it's def scratched.
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Right, that was my point. Until last night, your inspections didn't include checking the surfaces through a wide range of different illumination angles. As a result, subtle scratches went unnoticed and you don't know when they happened (or even if the phone came with them).
When i say im careful, I'm careful...
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I believe you. But something nevertheless scratched your phone--any idea what it could have been? You and I are both careful with our phones, yet only one of us acquired any scratches. There has to be some explanation for that difference. Figuring out what it is might help us, and others, to avoid scratches in the future.
It almost seems like theres a raised lips right before the glass dipps down.
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Hm, I don't see that on mine. May I ask what kind of screen protector(s) you had been using? If liquid, could it have left a residue? If solid, could the protector itself have scratched the glass that it was in contact with?
Or another possibility: if you used a case initially, could a few sand or grit particles have gotten lodged between the case and the phone? It looks as though the scratches may have been in areas that a case would have contact with. That's one of several reasons that I'd be reluctant to use a case with an all-glass phone.
Gary02468 said:
Right, that was my point. Until last night, your inspections didn't include checking the surfaces through a wide range of different illumination angles. As a result, subtle scratches went unnoticed and you don't know when they happened (or even if the phone came with them).
I believe you. But something nevertheless scratched your phone--any idea what it could have been? You and I are both careful with our phones, yet only one of us acquired any scratches. There has to be some explanation for that difference. Figuring out what it is might help us, and others, to avoid scratches in the future.
Hm, I don't see that on mine. May I ask what kind of screen protector(s) you had been using? If liquid, could it have left a residue? If solid, could the protector itself have scratched the glass that it was in contact with?
Or another possibility: if you used a case initially, could a few sand or grit particles have gotten lodged between the case and the phone? It looks as though the scratches may have been in areas that a case would have contact with. That's one of several reasons that I'd be reluctant to use a case with an all-glass phone.
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No case or screen protectors since I got this phone last Sunday (Oct 25th) I didn't recall any scratches on my recalled unit so I didn't bother with protecting the replacement. But regardless, I don't recalled a single incident in which would result in these scratches, so they must have happened during light use of the phone, how they happened? I don't know ... but they did .... The glass just seems soft and easily scratch-able. It shouldn't be, but unfortunately it is. And agreed, I've seen scratches come up from case use on my phones before so that is always a concern, but I didn't use a case on this phone, and I never sat the phone down on a hard surface, and never in a pocket with anything else, and the weird isolated scratched areas don't show signs of "pocket damage" ... they came from somewhere I get that, but wherever they came from, they happened with no effort or force.
Inspected my new phone that came in yesterday. Not a single scratch to be found in any light ... Screen protector should be in today so it'll get wrapped before I even use it and we'll try again ... I recommend to anyone who has a Note 7, wrap it up and keep it clean, this issue just may not be avoidable with everyday use.
Is GG5 on the back as well as the front? My rear is scratched only after 2 weeks replacement and general it wears a case. NOT impressed.
Dmac1984 said:
But regardless, I don't recalled a single incident in which would result in these scratches, so they must have happened during light use of the phone
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Well, the phone wasn't scratched by the skin of your hand, the cloth of your pocket, or the piece of paper you rested it on, so there must have been some other contact that you're unaware of. (I'll occasionally notice a small cut or bruise on my arm without recalling what contact was responsible. It happens.)
Regardless, thanks again for the update you posted, and good luck with your new Note 7. If my Note 7 ever suffers the slightest scratch, I will follow your example and post an update here too. So far, a month of heavy, unprotected use has not resulted in any visible imperfection.
I don't get why people are nitpicking this. I get this tone of "maybe you were careful but not careful enough". It sounds like we are discussing handling an egg.
The physics of it are simple and irrefutable, this thing will scratch, there is no way around it. And just because one hasn't scratched yet, or appears that way, doesn't mean it won't.
At this point, regardless of what anyone says or who wants to debate, it's safe to say yhe phone WILL scratch with normal, even careful use. I was one who thought "well the people with scratches must be abusing their phones" but as i type this on a scuffed, yet coddled Note7 I stand corrected. It doesn't affect my love for the phone but it should be noted that it WILL scratch easily regardless of how you treat it, i wish it didn't ... but it does. And I don't think it's batched based, pretty sure maybe even if you dont see any scratches there are probably some on your phone as I found by badically doing a microscopic forensic look at my phone the other day, the shinyness of thr glass seems to hide a lot of imperfections.

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