Unfortunately my time with my fold3 was short lived.
I decided to post my experience with it to help someone on the fence about getting one, my review might seem a lot negative, but I had a really good time with the phone.
I bought it about a month ago, paid 850USD for it new, quite a bargain considering that a z fold4 costs around 2.2kUSD here in brasil. After a long time just jumping from smartphone to smartphone and feeling that they all seemed, worked and felt the same, the zfold3 was just a breath of fresh air, so exciting to open and close it, the different ways to use it, all the productivity that the bigger screen brought, also the joy to use the smaller outer screen whenever I couldn't unfold it.
For this past month I haven't experienced any major bugs, every now and then an app would open on the bigger screen thinking it was on the smaller screen, YouTube would open with two columns often and once in a while with only one column. But again, nothing major.
What was a let down for me was the durability concerns. After a month babing it, the outer screen is scratched around the protective film, the camera rings are really scratched and without the paint. The paint on the bottom is also coming off. I exchange phones every 3 months or so, I never had a phone degrading so fast as this one, at least aesthetically.
Although the phone feels awesome on the pocket, that is only caseless so. With a case it is so bulgy that I just can't put it in and out of my pocket.
Everyday I see someone complaing on reddit that a speck of dust totally broke the inner screen or the hinge, the inner screen protector pelling off and pushing the screen until it is ruined. All adding to my already present anxiety of my phone breaking at any moment.
In addition to durability, another let down was the screen use of space when unfolded. Although the inner screen is great for content consumption, I don't think it uses its size effectively. Websites look ugly, a lot of apps are not optimized for a tablet size screen, the keyboard is a pain to use, you can kinda get used to it on both screens, but it's far from a comfortable keyboard to type on on any of them. Some apps like bank apps just look wrong on the inner screen, I tried changing the dpi to get more content on the big screen, however it always messed up with the outer Screen dpi.
Although my experience seems kinda negative, the phone is quite good in a lot of ways, the battery was actually quite good (coming from a note 20 ultra), performance is top notch, screen quality is great, speakers are awesome, best ones out there for sure. Fingerprint sensor is reliable and fast, cameras are decent if you are not a camera focused user. The split screen on this phone is just the best productivity tool you can find on any phone.
That all said, I still think this phone concept is awesome, I do intend to come back to a fold if I feel that durability is greatly improved and software is better optimized for the bigger display.
For now I'm exchanging it for a s22 ultra, I know I'll miss a lot of functions with the s22, but at least it will bring me some peace of mind related to durability.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts Reading from my Fold 4
Related
I've been holding off buying the S III for some time in hopes of something better, but nothing has come along so I finally bit the bullet. I bought a new white one off ebay for $450, which is on the cheaper side. It came with a rather deep scratch on the bottom right on the chrome, but frankly its hard to notice and the rest of the phone seems to work fine. Wanted to ask a few questions and make a few comments.
1. Screen is the best AMOLED screen period. The lack of reflection and infinite viewing angles puts it head and shoulders above all phone IPS screens I've used. Also on a completely different level to the beta AMOLED screens Samsung was churning out. None of the pixelation, dithering, artifacts, lines, blotches, and crap from the S II or the Note. It doesn't turn to crap when I dim the screen, and looks very nice and even like that. The saturation has been toned down as well and looks better. However, I wish the greens were not so BLUE and the skin tones were less ghastly red/yellow/orange.
2. My volume keys are firm and clicky, but my power button is kind of loose. Will it deteriorate over time?
3. The battery cover is still a horrible design. My left side snaps into place completely, but there is a gap that you can put a fingernail and also feel the seam and slight hump since its not flush. This is normal for Samsung right? My Note also had a battery cover problem. It would ot snap in, and I had to jam it in at a very sharp angle and bend the cover back heavily. At least that was flush. This one is not. Also noticed looseness on the top corners with the S3, especially when you move the phone around or hold it in landscape and either push the corners a bit or hold onto them. I think this is endemic to the S3 since all the display phones at my local store had the same problem, along with the entire cover being taped up since they were coming off of course.
4. The home button is hard to press. I also noticed this on the demo models. Why couldn't it be more like the iPhone's button? The amount of force required to push it, its location at the very end of the phone, and the lightweight nature of the phone means I have to hold the phone firmly down or the entire thing just might bounce out of my hand. I usually have to hold the bottom underneath the button and pinch down with my thumb. That's not very satisfying either, since I am also pushing up into a looser part of the back cover and it flexes a bit, especially since there's that hole where the microUSB plugs into. I try to avoid using the home button and use back all the way if possible.
5. The phone is fast, but not blazingly fast or smooth. It's better than my old One X. Still far from the smoothness of a Windows Phone device. Hopefully Jelly Bean will help a lot.
6. They need to disable the capacitive keys during camera mode. I always end up pushing one or both of them and exiting the camera or getting edit popups. Same problem I had on the Note.
7. Phone looks and feels a million times better without the rim sticking out above the glass surface. It's more prone to damage, but I'll take the look and unimpeded finger swiips any day.
8. The Note had a much much better speaker. The S3 sounds like an S2 without the back cover helping muffle it.
katamari201 said:
I've been holding off buying the S III for some time in hopes of something better, but nothing has come along so I finally bit the bullet. I bought a new white one off ebay for $450, which is on the cheaper side. It came with a rather deep scratch on the bottom right on the chrome, but frankly its hard to notice and the rest of the phone seems to work fine. Wanted to ask a few questions and make a few comments.
1. Screen is the best AMOLED screen period. The lack of reflection and infinite viewing angles puts it head and shoulders above all phone IPS screens I've used. Also on a completely different level to the beta AMOLED screens Samsung was churning out. None of the pixelation, dithering, artifacts, lines, blotches, and crap from the S II or the Note. It doesn't turn to crap when I dim the screen, and looks very nice and even like that. The saturation has been toned down as well and looks better. However, I wish the greens were not so BLUE and the skin tones were less ghastly red/yellow/orange.
2. My volume keys are firm and clicky, but my power button is kind of loose. Will it deteriorate over time?
3. The battery cover is still a horrible design. My left side snaps into place completely, but there is a gap that you can put a fingernail and also feel the seam and slight hump since its not flush. This is normal for Samsung right? My Note also had a battery cover problem. It would ot snap in, and I had to jam it in at a very sharp angle and bend the cover back heavily. At least that was flush. This one is not. Also noticed looseness on the top corners with the S3, especially when you move the phone around or hold it in landscape and either push the corners a bit or hold onto them. I think this is endemic to the S3 since all the display phones at my local store had the same problem, along with the entire cover being taped up since they were coming off of course.
4. The home button is hard to press. I also noticed this on the demo models. Why couldn't it be more like the iPhone's button? The amount of force required to push it, its location at the very end of the phone, and the lightweight nature of the phone means I have to hold the phone firmly down or the entire thing just might bounce out of my hand. I usually have to hold the bottom underneath the button and pinch down with my thumb. That's not very satisfying either, since I am also pushing up into a looser part of the back cover and it flexes a bit, especially since there's that hole where the microUSB plugs into. I try to avoid using the home button and use back all the way if possible.
5. The phone is fast, but not blazingly fast or smooth. It's better than my old One X. Still far from the smoothness of a Windows Phone device. Hopefully Jelly Bean will help a lot.
6. They need to disable the capacitive keys during camera mode. I always end up pushing one or both of them and exiting the camera or getting edit popups. Same problem I had on the Note.
7. Phone looks and feels a million times better without the rim sticking out above the glass surface. It's more prone to damage, but I'll take the look and unimpeded finger swiips any day.
8. The Note had a much much better speaker. The S3 sounds like an S2 without the back cover helping muffle it.
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Click to collapse
1. There is a setting in display settings to adj screen tone. See if that helps.
2. Some have reported this, but mine is fine. Not loose at all.
3. The battery cover while flimsy i agree, should snap on with ease. No raised or humped section, no gap for a fingernail... almost sounds like yours took a nasty fall or other impact... it should fit just fine with no blemishes.
4. Home isnt hard to push. Agree though that it couldve been implemented much better.
5. Imho, this thing screams. Never had any problems with lag or not being smooth and speedy. Top of the line if you ask me.
8. Speakers fine for me, for what it is. I never expect the external speaker to be super high quality.
Sent from my SGH-T999 using xda app-developers app
On the screen issue, have you gone out to broad daylight and trying to see the screen? Its tough. I still prefer IPS screens.
The home button is hard to press. Being accustomed to only capacitive buttons, the home button is tough to press. Even more so with my ballistics case.
The back is plastics but it gets the job done
The power button is sturdy and fine on my end
I agree with the camera button.
I also got mine from eBay about a month ago for 469 and although it was used, it was kept and very good condition. All I have is a small line on the gray part of the phone by the volume button that only extends about 2 mm. Sometimes I forget its there. The screen is my biggest letdown. Coming from 2 LG devices, the IPS screen is the best screens in my opinion. Natural colors, awesome brightness. This one is good I enjoy it but its not great.
Sent from my Rooted Gameboy
Hey man.. Cool thing you got an s3 but if I was you, I would of waited til tomorrow for the nexus 4 and paid 100$ less.
Sent from my SGH-T999 using xda app-developers app
Crisisx1 said:
Hey man.. Cool thing you got an s3 but if I was you, I would of waited til tomorrow for the nexus 4 and paid 100$ less.
Sent from my SGH-T999 using xda app-developers app
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I played with an Optimus G in-store, basically a Nexus 4. Did not like it AT ALL. The glass was icky. Was not impressed by the display. It was washed out looking. This is in comparison to the One X and iPhone, not just AMOLED.
IPS is better outdoors and at max brightness. However, indoors at low brightness the contrast looks way better on the AMOLED screen of the GS3.
Oh man the 5" HTC Droid DNA is coming out. If it can be unlocked for GSM networks, I'm itching the jump again...haha I had the Note two months ago too.
I'm getting buyers remorse from the build quality. Just holding or moving the phone around and taking it out of my pocket, there's always a creak or a flex from the loose back cover. The phone is kinda slippery and clammy, not much to hold on to, and the jiggly power button. I said I would never buy another Samsung phone because of build, but here I am again...a sucker for the screen!
3. My battery cover is perfectly flush. I have pulled it off to change sd cards and once when initially rooting.. I simply put it in place and smoothly press the edges while moving around the whole phone.. all click in, flush
5. check to see if Power saving mode is on, and if cpu saving is on in power saving ... if it is, chances are your phone is only hitting 1GHz
when power saving is off (via the handy toggle in the notification shade dropdown), phone is allowed to hit full 1.5 GHz
another reason for some speed loss is the samsung touchwiz environment.. beautiful, but a bit heavy
jellybean from a google/nexus base IS faster, but mainly cuz it is more bare
cheers!
Samsung Galaxy S3, 16GB, pebble blue
rooted, running jellybean 4.1.1 on touchwiz-based Xquizit xD rom
To my surprise when I tried to remove the back glass that was cracked I punctured the battery. Amazingly there is absolutely no protection below the glass to the battery!
I have never seen a phone designed like that before! Quite shocking really as they almost all have a plastic protective layer or a shell on the battery.
Also, fingerprint sensor is near impossible to install on a new back because of the way it is designed you cannot get enough pressure for it to work.
Just major design issues I’ve never seen on a phone before, both of which Samsung for example has perfected with simple tiny attention to detail designs.... I guess sometimes it is what is under the glass that you pay for...
I actually found it very easy to change. Took about 15 to 20 min in all. Watched a YouTube vid a couple times and then attempted it myself. First time replacing a back and no issues. Used a heat gun to loosen up the adhesive then used small blade and plastic pick to remove cracked backing. Used tip of blade to remove fingerprint scanner and camera glass carefully and reinstalled on new back. Just go a bit slower and be a bit more gentle and probably won't be hitting the battery next time. Phone is a good design and surprising to the LG brand phone I'm used to from when I had an LG G3 which was garbage and one of the worst battery issies I've ever had. Have had this phone about 15 months and it blows my Samsung S7 edge battery life out of the water. I do miss the Samsung camera, Samsung pay option and display vibrance but not the screen burn in that samsung is so well known for. Also, the speaker on the G7 Thin Q is amazing. Just my thoughts and my experience with the phone.
Sent from my LG-G710 using Tapatalk
nascar48 said:
To my surprise when I tried to remove the back glass that was cracked I punctured the battery. Amazingly there is absolutely no protection below the glass to the battery!
I have never seen a phone designed like that before! Quite shocking really as they almost all have a plastic protective layer or a shell on the battery.
Also, fingerprint sensor is near impossible to install on a new back because of the way it is designed you cannot get enough pressure for it to work.
Just major design issues I’ve never seen on a phone before, both of which Samsung for example has perfected with simple tiny attention to detail designs.... I guess sometimes it is what is under the glass that you pay for...
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Click to collapse
This poor quality build that you say is for Boombox sound. IMO is not poor quality. Is has to do with bass reflex and more.
dliontis28 said:
I actually found it very easy to change. Took about 15 to 20 min in all. Watched a YouTube vid a couple times and then attempted it myself. First time replacing a back and no issues. Used a heat gun to loosen up the adhesive then used small blade and plastic pick to remove cracked backing. Used tip of blade to remove fingerprint scanner and camera glass carefully and reinstalled on new back. Just go a bit slower and be a bit more gentle and probably won't be hitting the battery next time. Phone is a good design and surprising to the LG brand phone I'm used to from when I had an LG G3 which was garbage and one of the worst battery issies I've ever had. Have had this phone about 15 months and it blows my Samsung S7 edge battery life out of the water. I do miss the Samsung camera, Samsung pay option and display vibrance but not the screen burn in that samsung is so well known for. Also, the speaker on the G7 Thin Q is amazing. Just my thoughts and my experience with the phone.
Sent from my LG-G710 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Removing it was annoying but actually what is really angering me is replacing it. I’ve went through two back covers off EBay and no luck. There’s just no way to apply enough pressure to get the fingerprint sensor to work, it literally requires 3 pounds of pressure to be applied and nothing has that level of stickiness I have found.
Hi All,
I need some info from people who have been using the fold for quite some time now.
I just got the fold 2 and that is my first folding phone.
I got to be honest: I've been using it unfolded and I've been keeping it unfolded most of the time because im afraid that keeping it close would increase the crease.
So, you that you have used this type of folding phones for many months, could you give me some suggestions? Do you keep it unfolded when not in use/charging or you just keep it folded when not using it?
For the latter: no issues with the crease.. have you notice any increase of the crease?
Thanks
I've had the Galaxy fold for 4 months now and I do fold/unfold quite a lot every day and I can tell you that the crease has remained identical. Don't read too much into the YouTube reviewer hype, the screen is plastic and it won't crease like folded leather does with stretch mark. What I did notice tho is that you'll get lots of microscratches, but unless you're pointing your screen towards a light bulb, you can't see them as they're very superficial. That's with the first gen fold tho, so the second one might be better in that regard. And I treat the phone like a baby with utmost care.
I tend to agree with the above response. +1.
I have the og Fold now since january and sleep every night with it open. Actually, I keep it open at all times at the house and only close it when I'm "on the road." I'm sure thats overkill. No issues since day one and dont really know why I'm in that habit of keeping it open at the house. lol.
As far as the tiny scratches, thats from wiping down too hard with a dirty micro fiber. Ive seen this before on other device's screens, and in a great example, Oakley sunglasses. Those cheap a*s plastic lenses get scratched just looking thru them.
The KEY would be to only use a completely clean and dry microfiber cloth and apply literally hardly any pressure making time to constantly shake the rag and use different parts of it as you "brush" the screen. RIDICULOUS, I know, but the ONLY way to keep those tiny scratches at bay.
And hes right, They can only be noticed when the screen is OFF and at a crazy angle with reading glasses on...lol.. Really a non-issue, if you ask me.
Iv had fold first gen since 4th Feb and it still ok no scratches nothing at all
I have had the Fold for nearly a year. I keep it closed most of the time but open it several times a day, the crease is actually the same as it was on day 1 as far as I can see. Neither screen has got any blemishes/ scratches, I am generally pretty careful about it to the point that if I am working in a dirty/ dusty environment I use my Pixel instead. At all other times, I use the Fold.
Some feedback
Been using my Fold for almost 1 year (I have the 5G variant) and looks the same as first day. The hinge mechanism maybe a bit less firm than when I bought it but fully functional and very reliable. The only thing I have never manged to find is a GOOD screen protector. I always use one not to scratch the screens' delicate surface and I went through many and they all suck.. scratch easily, start peeling and distort the image and produce streaks at pixel level.. I've tried like, 10. Other than that, best phone I've ever owned and will not upgrade to the Fold 2 because its too incremental. Will wait for the Fold 3 and see if there are truly major changes, namely the device being thinner and the screen really more resistant.
Still all stock under Android 10 and want to root it but not sure whats the best way to do it or if I can even get TWRP on my model. Worrying about screwing it up, nut really would love to root it.
All in all, awesome phone!
VeEuzUKY said:
Some feedback
Been using my Fold for almost 1 year (I have the 5G variant) and looks the same as first day. The hinge mechanism maybe a bit less firm than when I bought it but fully functional and very reliable. The only thing I have never manged to find is a GOOD screen protector. I always use one not to scratch the screens' delicate surface and I went through many and they all suck.. scratch easily, start peeling and distort the image and produce streaks at pixel level.. I've tried like, 10. Other than that, best phone I've ever owned and will not upgrade to the Fold 2 because its too incremental. Will wait for the Fold 3 and see if there are truly major changes, namely the device being thinner and the screen really more resistant.
Still all stock under Android 10 and want to root it but not sure whats the best way to do it or if I can even get TWRP on my model. Worrying about screwing it up, nut really would love to root it.
All in all, awesome phone!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/153860911539 try thus link i bought it works good easy to peel off aswel
liggerz87 said:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/153860911539 try thus link i bought it works good easy to peel off aswel
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks a lot for the tip, I'll give it a try
I had to take it off had it for a while I suggest getting the 2 pack as was bit difficult to get on only took it off as had a black spot a smoke nearly burnt it lol screen was fine under neath
I've had the Fold since Oct 27, 2019. I constantly close and open it all day. I was also experiencing tiny scratches on the inside screen for no reason and decided to start using a screen protector for about ten months. But the crease did not increase one bit.
About two weeks ago I using dex to watch a movie one morning and the hdmi cable hit my inner screen and created dead pixels. I took it to a samsung repair center and they replaced it for free, and the hinge, along with a factor installed screen protector that wasn't originally there. It's like having a new phone! But I would definitely recommend closing it once you set the phone down.
murdok83 said:
Hi All,
I need some info from people who have been using the fold for quite some time now.
I just got the fold 2 and that is my first folding phone.
I got to be honest: I've been using it unfolded and I've been keeping it unfolded most of the time because im afraid that keeping it close would increase the crease.
So, you that you have used this type of folding phones for many months, could you give me some suggestions? Do you keep it unfolded when not in use/charging or you just keep it folded when not using it?
For the latter: no issues with the crease.. have you notice any increase of the crease?
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Do you also put plastic covers on your couches and leave the paper floor mats when you get your car washed? Just use the damn device you paid money for.
Hey,
I have been a Note fan since the very beginning and a foldable with spen support has been a device of my dreams. When the Fold 3 was released I decided to go for it and give my Note 20 Ultra a break. The fold isn't perfect especially with such a small battery but as an exynos user the battery has always been a thing to compromise in my region. But,
The reports about the screen being so fragile and getting cracked in concerning numbers have halted me from getting this expensive piece of tech. I am aware of the cracking issues with the earlier folds but the reports about this third generation looks really concerning.
Are the cases that high? or is it just the usual (defective patch) in any product?
Think of it this way, no one will post about how their screen is fine and not cracked, but people will be inclined to post when their screen is shattered and broken. If every person with a screen that wasn't cracked would post theirs, it would far surpass the cracked screen numbers. I have had mine since 22nd of October and I have not had one issue, not one cracked screen. I recommend it as it's the best phone 2021 could bring.
Had mine since the early pre-order time. No screen crack or break, but I have a Spigen hard case on it. I've dropped it a few times, but have been uber lucky it wasn't anything that cause damage. One has to look at the cause of the damage before assuming it's a defect of the product.
Not sure what reports you have read, but I've yet to see an influx of cracked screens from general everyday use. Plus, many of use early birds have coverage for damage.
No issues here.
I have to wonder though, if the phone was left in a car overnight with below zero temps and then unfolded cold. What would happen? Has anyone been brave enough to try? ;-)
I have had mine since shortly after release and I use it... and I mean USE it...
I use the outer screen for many quick things, but I spent over 75% of my time opening and using the inner screen. I have a Fold SPen and use it constantly and I am STILL on the original factory inner screen protector and have ZERO issues with any bubbling, cracking or anything else on the device screen or the protector.
Just take some care of your device and it will take care of you.
is there a way to cover the hinges so nothing gets inside? Like some case
ghassan haddad said:
is there a way to cover the hinges so nothing gets inside? Like some case
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My case has a hinge cover, but many have issue with the phone not lying flat.
ghassan haddad said:
is there a way to cover the hinges so nothing gets inside? Like some case
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There are some cars that specifically cover the hinge I believe. I think Samsung even has their own. But they seem so bulky and awkward.
NONE of the cases that I have seen or used or played with have a Hinge Cover that will protect from Dust/Water intrusion. Just not going to happen. Sorry mate.
I've had my Fold 3 since a couple of days before release day and use the inner screen 99.99% of the time, all day long. No issues here. I clean the dust and fingerprints (which you can barely see and don't cause the rainbow effect) with a reusable screen cloth from Amazon with a koala on it - bought it for my car stereo screen, but there are a ton in the pack, so I use them for different things.
Not only the operation of the phone in cold weather exasperating this issue but maybe also a combination of pressing on the screen with a finger to close the phone..
Plasticisers are a limited lifespan. They are what makes plastics flexible. As they fail, cracking is the result. With a close to a near 180° the engineering is less than brilliant. Made with a very finite lifespan in mind.
The Fold series is an even more niche market than the Notes. Like an inept gambler Samsung don't know when to run away. By shoving the prototype Fold down the throats of its loyal Note customer base Samsung deserves what they get... idiots.
sorry, blackhawk.. do you have one of these?? best phone ever lol.
if the stock protector fail, replacements are easy
Ya been a Note User since the first one .. after going Fold 3 I can never go back... love the screen .. really better battery, cameras, I'd like a micro SD slot again and for thr s pen to go into the phone and it would be perfect...
As for the screen cracking mine has not but the built in screen protector has peeled up so I peeled off ... all good so far.. but if you get this phone usually it's on a 24 month contract then you swap phones to 2 gens later. Also I'd assume everyone would get the insurance for the screen replacement etc... so if that's done you just send it in for any screen issues .
akhentamentiu said:
sorry, blackhawk.. do you have one of these?? best phone ever lol.
if the stock protector fail, replacements are easy
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, blackhawk just likes bagging it as far as I can tell.
Best. Phone. Ever. For me, anyway.
[email protected] said:
Ya been a Note User since the first one .. after going Fold 3 I can never go back... love the screen .. really better battery, cameras, I'd like a micro SD slot again and for thr s pen to go into the phone and it would be perfect...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I loved the note, from the very first, and my note 12 pro tablet. Now that I'm retired and don't need the spen I love the fold. It's like carrying a tablet in your pocket everywhere.
I can't wait until they actually get the whole 'Z' folding thing working, to triple the size
What I find funny is all the people bagging the idea of the Fold, alongside all the companies trying to make one themselves. I'm pretty sure Apple will sell one in five years, well behind the curve as usual while claiming to be ahead as usual.
Ha ha yes exactly apple will bring a foldable out when samsung goes to the next design for foldable.. I also like that sliding screen they might out put out ... I'd rather the than the folding but for now beggars can't be choosers lol
it's interesting that no one here had a bad experience while a similar thread on reddit is full of (cracked) displays
ghassan haddad said:
it's interesting that no one here had a bad experience while a similar thread on reddit is full of (cracked) displays
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Link? (or it didn't happen )
I ost my Note 10+ a few days ago, a first for me. I immediately considered it found and stolen as I could see the person who found it via GPS, driving about the area where it fell off of my truck. So after two unanswered calls to said phone? I immediately wiped it and so at least my very minor personal data is secured. Whomever it as, *did* happen to get a very extensive, 40,000+ file .flac/.mp3 library on my spare SD Card but that's quite redundantly maintained/backed up so no real loss.
I immediately bought an exact replica of the lost Note 10+ from the same great seller as before, an ebay "excellent" condition refurb. The phone was here in 2 days then a quick visit to the local ATT store and I'm now back in business as usual, taking literally about 20 minutes to have the exact same phone/usage apps/settings and basically a Note 10+ set up precisely as my former phone had been. This is a relative topic with most users, myself included, as each of us may more or less appeciate any given app or feature ... but for me? Google sync and restore is a metaphorical Golden Unicorn(tm) lol.
But to my main question...
How can I determine if the Samsung default screen protector/film is installed on this new "refurb."
The screen on this unit is flawless, having no discernable marks or scratches, not even of the micro variety. But I have noticed that the thumbprint sensor is quite more responsive than my previous Note 10+ which definitely had the stock screen protector as, over the years, it had began to bubble ever so slightly and in certain places.
I've examined the edges of the new screen at great length under more than ample lighting and with very good magnification equipment and can find no visible "seam" or otherwise around the edges and where one would expect to find such a seam for any phone panel that had one of those super thin, super transparent protectors installed.
I will say that I found the stock Samsung protector on my first Note 10+ to be quite good, as good as any of the "tempered glass" varieties I'd used with previous phones though after two years of fairly rough use, there were small areas appearing where the Samsung factory screen film was beginning to show it's natural limitations.
So any ideas short of close examination with a good light source and high quality magnifying glasses would be welcome. If I do determine it is completely lacking in the inclusion of the factory installed panel film/protector (only reason I can imagine is if the previous user had removed it) then I will of course want to begin researching an appropriate 3rd party option that works well while maintaining solid use of the fingerprint sensor...
So any tips would be welcome...
Thanks in advance,
Joel Harris
The front cam hole will likely have a cut out in the screen protector if present. Slight seams are visible on one or more of the edges. Also the glass feels different than any plastic protector. Gorilla IQ Sheild is a good wet apply protector.
s1rrah said:
I ost my Note 10+ a few days ago, a first for me. I immediately considered it found and stolen as I could see the person who found it via GPS, driving about the area where it fell off of my truck. So after two unanswered calls to said phone? I immediately wiped it and so at least my very minor personal data is secured. Whomever it as, *did* happen to get a very extensive, 40,000+ file .flac/.mp3 library on my spare SD Card but that's quite redundantly maintained/backed up so no real loss.
I immediately bought an exact replica of the lost Note 10+ from the same great seller as before, an ebay "excellent" condition refurb. The phone was here in 2 days then a quick visit to the local ATT store and I'm now back in business as usual, taking literally about 20 minutes to have the exact same phone/usage apps/settings and basically a Note 10+ set up precisely as my former phone had been. This is a relative topic with most users, myself included, as each of us may more or less appeciate any given app or feature ... but for me? Google sync and restore is a metaphorical Golden Unicorn(tm) lol.
But to my main question...
How can I determine if the Samsung default screen protector/film is installed on this new "refurb."
The screen on this unit is flawless, having no discernable marks or scratches, not even of the micro variety. But I have noticed that the thumbprint sensor is quite more responsive than my previous Note 10+ which definitely had the stock screen protector as, over the years, it had began to bubble ever so slightly and in certain places.
I've examined the edges of the new screen at great length under more than ample lighting and with very good magnification equipment and can find no visible "seam" or otherwise around the edges and where one would expect to find such a seam for any phone panel that had one of those super thin, super transparent protectors installed.
I will say that I found the stock Samsung protector on my first Note 10+ to be quite good, as good as any of the "tempered glass" varieties I'd used with previous phones though after two years of fairly rough use, there were small areas appearing where the Samsung factory screen film was beginning to show it's natural limitations.
So any ideas short of close examination with a good light source and high quality magnifying glasses would be welcome. If I do determine it is completely lacking in the inclusion of the factory installed panel film/protector (only reason I can imagine is if the previous user had removed it) then I will of course want to begin researching an appropriate 3rd party option that works well while maintaining solid use of the fingerprint sensor...
So any tips would be welcome...
Thanks in advance,
Joel Harris
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Most likely, Being a refurb with flawless screen, it probably had it's screen replaced and replacement screens don't ship with that Samsung factory screen protector on them. Most likely no screen protector in place
blackhawk said:
The front cam hole will likely have a cut out in the screen protector if present. Slight seams are visible on one or more of the edges. Also the glass feels different than any plastic protector. Gorilla IQ Sheild is a good wet apply protector.
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Thanks mate ...
Checked all the obvious variables and there's def no protector on the screen.
I found tons of "IQ Shield" variants on Amazon but none specifically made by Gorilla, which is a brand I tend to trust. Any further info?
In the interim, I bought this uber cheap but very well reviewed cheapo. If it works half as good as the reviews seem to indicate then it should be fine.
Thanks again ....
s1rrah said:
Thanks mate ...
Checked all the obvious variables and there's def no protector on the screen.
I found tons of "IQ Shield" variants on Amazon but none specifically made by Gorilla, which is a brand I tend to trust. Any further info?
In the interim, I bought this uber cheap but very well reviewed cheapo. If it works half as good as the reviews seem to indicate then it should be fine.
Thanks again ....
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Get a couple, just in case. Things must be as dust free as possible ie spotless on the glass and room where applied. Don't touch the glass or back surface of the protector. Use enough of the fluid to get it aligned spot then work the air bubbles out. Watch it to make sure it stays adhered to the curve portions of the screen.
Just press and briefly hold if it lifts up. Use a little of the fluid if needed. If it ever lifts up on the sides later as long as no dust or dirt get under it, it can be reattached with a little water and pressing it down.
Leave it set up for at least a couple hours before using if possible. Mind the edges don't lift, usually after 10 minutes that's no longer an issue. Any small micro bubbles will be absorb in a few days... not big air bubbles though.
The Zizo Bolt is an excellent case for it.
That's all I use, zero damage in almost 3 years.
Enjoy, the Beast is a great phone!
blackhawk said:
Get a couple, just in case. Things must be as dust free as possible ie spotless on the glass and room where applied. Don't touch the glass or back surface of the protector. Use enough of the fluid to get it aligned spot then work the air bubbles out. Watch it to make sure it stays adhered to the curve portions of the screen.
Just press and briefly hold if it lifts up. Use a little of the fluid if needed. If it ever lifts up on the sides later as long as no dust or dirt get under it, it can be reattached with a little water and pressing it down.
Leave it set up for at least a couple hours before using if possible. Mind the edges don't lift, usually after 10 minutes that's no longer an issue. Any small micro bubbles will be absorb in a few days... not big air bubbles though.
The Zizo Bolt is an excellent case for it.
That's all I use, zero damage in almost 3 years.
Enjoy, the Beast is a great phone!
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Thanks for the detailed tips, friend. Much appreciated. But exactly what screen protector are you referring to? The originally mentioned "Q Shield" variant? Or the one I mentioned already ordering, which is the Apiker random find off of Amazon.
If you're referring to a specific brand/model of protector, be it of the "Q Shield" sort or otherwise? Please send me a link if your able to do so.
As it turns out? The randomly ordered Apiker kit I bought from Amazon based solely on user reviews alone, has turned out to be pretty okay. As with many such products, especially those for phones with curved edges, there really is value in going over some install videos and what not but the first application turned out pretty damn good.
The kit came with 4 of everything so for the money and the fact that 2nd and further applications would of course be more intuitive, makes it a decent value.
Also, the Apiker screen kit I bought is not tempered glass but some other sort of material but still has a decent feel overall. The main thing I like is the thumb sensor is still every bit as sensitive/responsive as it was when using the naked, glass screen.
But send me some info on the kit you were referring to that uses what you called "fluid" ... I'll get one of those too lol!
And yeah, mang. Note10+ FTW! Mine was stolen about a week ago .. only time I've ever lost it ... but it wasn't 20 minutes before I'd ordered a new "refurb" off Ebay which I'm currently using now.
I tend to always buy whatever the flagship Sammy was 3 or so years ago and always end up saving tons of money and being very happy with whatever that ends up being. I bought a 1 day temp new Galaxy A12 at the local ATT shop to use till the Note10+ replacement came in and the Note10+ processing speed is WAY better than the A12, which frankly was just a sluggish dog in comparison.
Thanks again for the info..
"IQ Shield"