Hi there,
I hope it's ok to post in this subforum, but I'm having a bit of trouble replacing the screen on a THL W7S, an Android phone with a 5.7" screen released in the last year or so. THL are primarily sold in the Chinese market, I think, but I got this from a seller on Amazon UK.
The phone was dropped and the screen has cracked, and I was able to order a replacement screen from an online stored based in China or HK. It arrived a few days ago.
I'm usually quite handy with this sort of thing - I've repaired laptops and iMacs in the past, and they can be quite fiddly and stressful - but I can't see how to release this phone's screen.
I can't find any videos or discussion of screen replacements for the W7S, but I see that some other phones require a hot air blower at 160ºc to heat the glue and allow the screen to be prised off. I think I recollect that iPhone screens must be repaired this way - is that right?
Is a hot air blower likely to be necessary for removing the screen of this THL? There's a silver bevel around the edge of the phone's case, but I don't think that's what's holding the screen down, and after removing the battery cover and then an internal cover behind that, I can see no more screws.
The ZU is nearing its 2 year birthday, I've had mine for about 8 months now. So far I have been more than happy with it, although I do have to say I'm quite disappointed with the build quality. To be more specific, the paint job of the aluminium/plastic parts. It literally starts to fall off/rub away, whereas I still baby my ZU. This puzzles me and tells me there is nothing brushed about the 'aluminum (is it plastic?), just an ordinary paint job. Also, I've noticed that the material is rather weak, getting dents easily.
What is your experience concerning the wear & tear of this device?
I must agree that the paint of the aluminium parts is rather weak, my 5 months old ZU already got some of it torn. In addition it gets easily bended, when I put my phone on a table or sth the right bottom corner is like 1mm over the surface. And it scratches a lot, especially the back, seriously I'm only putting it in or from the pocket with no keys or anything and it looks like some really angry cat wanted to play with it. However the front is untouched, despite using pencil a lot to navigate, but the oleophobic coating have gone just after a month and because of it random touches appears. Aparr from these, I have no complaints and sorry for my English, not my native lang
Regards
I bought my second Z Ultra today
The screen on my July 2013 ZU broke with my thighs pressure while I was driving. I thought it was safe but it cracked.
Service centre in India wanted Rs. 10400 to replace screen. Grey market Rs. 8000. And it would lose waterproofing after replacement. New Z Ultra is Rs. 18500. So I bought my second ZU today (Feb 15 make)
Last time a Leather cover was given free but this time its DK30 magnetic dock which is good. I will keep check on price for screen and when it drops I will replace my broken ZUs screen and gift it to my wife who is using my old Note 1
My new ZU is on 4.4.4 so I am thinking if I should upgrade to Lollipop or not. I dont like Lollipop. I used it on Moto E2 and it looks crap.
I have two Ultra and both are in mint condition. No scratches, nothing. Not a single noticeable defect. They move along in cases but still. Have not experienced any denting or anything else that would put them in a worse position so I am perfectly happy with the quality.
I think mine is just over a year old now
Tons of scratches on the back, and some on the front (i don't use a case or screen protector)
I've got it running the latest slimkat and I've got no complaints with regards to this OS
Might be moving onto the Samsung s6
I use a book style cover to protect mine, and it's still in quite good condition. I reckon on having to buy a new cover every 4 months as the plastic frame which holds the ZU cracks or breaks, particularly at the corner where the USB socket is present and there's not enough plastic to be strong.
There's a ding on the corner near the USB connector where I dropped it and the case's missing plastic wasn't able to protect it.
I haven't removed the anti-shatter plastic film on front or back. You can't see the fine pattern of scratches on the front when the phone is turned on. Sometimes I clean the screen with a slightly damp towel, and if I rub hard it polishes out the scratches a bit.
Battery life is still good, I don't think it's diminished too much. Sony have always had good battery technology (apart from when they had exploding laptop batteries!).
Overall then my XZU has been a good phone and I've had good value out of it as I use it all the time - I don't have a tablet, I go straight for a laptop if I need to do proper work.
The XZU is my phone, ebook reader, email reader, news reader, podcast & music player, GPS mapper, instant messaging console (G hangouts), shopping assistant (checking prices in shops with barcode scanner), movie viewer (netflix), chromecast controller (netflix) and occasionally acts as a game console.
My backplate cracked so I used the extended warranty I bought with the phone to fix it.
Sony said they couldn't replace it because its discontinued so they bought out my warranty and phone for the total amount I paid. So I got a free ultra basically.
I fixed the backplate myself. I'd really like to fix the faux aluminum edges. They sell them online but u don't want to go in blind and dissect my phone.
Almost mint here (everything is perfect except that the screen ASF is shinning just a little less than the back one) after eight months. I have two cases, the plastic one I use 95% of the time and the Krusell leather book one that I only use when I think I need an extra protection.
USB protective flap
The Z Ultra has one of the best build qualities IMHO:good: . I do not have a scratch, paint job issue etc. Only problem I had after a year of use was the USB protective flap:crying:. Until it was ok, I used to wash the phone whenever it got dirty. Although the usb protective flap is available on ebay, I'm skeptical about opening, fearing it might lose the original build. If anyone has any ideas - please share.
I put screen protector on my replacement XZU when the one I purchased was replaced under warranty. Only problem is stuff building up in the cracks; dirt, dust, etc. builds up in the cracks of the body, and I HATE that. I also have the ? lens attachment case that I leave on all the time, where the two upper corners have cracked off.
Sent from my C6806 using XDA Free mobile app
gauthamsv said:
The Z Ultra has one of the best build qualities IMHO:good: . I do not have a scratch, paint job issue etc. Only problem I had after a year of use was the USB protective flap:crying:. Until it was ok, I used to wash the phone whenever it got dirty. Although the usb protective flap is available on ebay, I'm skeptical about opening, fearing it might lose the original build. If anyone has any ideas - please share.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't think you have to dissect your phone for the USB flap only.
Just buy a new one on eBay and replace it by fitting the string attached into its hole. ?
Edit: to stay in topic, my Ultra is a D1 unit, exchanged like one month later for another brand new under warranty, and it's been y daily driver since.
Paint have come off of 3 out of 4 corners, but other than that, the phone is pristine.
You should see my old GS3 (which now has my mother in law): all plastic-aluminum-painted edges are broken in several points, there's no paint on the on/off button anymore, plastic back cracked... ?
Overall, I'm super happy and my phone is still as elegant as was when I first opened the box. ?
My screen got hairline cracks twice. Sony repaired it free under the warranty. I also purchased 3 off ebay with cracked screens for under $100 each. I got them repaired through sony for free. $$$$
Sent from my C6806 using XDA Free mobile app
bigl34461 said:
My screen got hairline cracks twice. Sony repaired it free under the warranty. I also purchased 3 off ebay with cracked screens for under $100 each. I got them repaired through sony for free. $$$$
Sent from my C6806 using XDA Free mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ahahah this is super cool! I wonder how did you manage to have them exchanged without warranty???
fastest83 said:
Ahahah this is super cool! I wonder how did you manage to have them exchanged without warranty???
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The phones happened to still be under warranty. When Sony asked for the receipt I just showed them the ebay receipt. I didn't think they would repair it, but they did......4 times....?
Sent from my C6806 using XDA Free mobile app
bigl34461 said:
The phones happened to still be under warranty. When Sony asked for the receipt I just showed them the ebay receipt. I didn't think they would repair it, but they did......4 times....?
Sent from my C6806 using XDA Free mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's not only luck, you're the luckiest man alive when it comes to warranties...!
I mean, like 8 out of 10 have all kinds of problems with warranty, you're the live exception! ?
gauthamsv said:
The Z Ultra has one of the best build qualities IMHO:good: . I do not have a scratch, paint job issue etc. Only problem I had after a year of use was the USB protective flap:crying:. Until it was ok, I used to wash the phone whenever it got dirty. Although the usb protective flap is available on ebay, I'm skeptical about opening, fearing it might lose the original build. If anyone has any ideas - please share.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
the usb flap is one easy replacemnt. just pull out the existing one neatly just a little pressure, make sure to hold the extension plastic that connects to the flap rather than the flap itself. When you get the replacement just insert the new replacement the same way you pulled out the old one:good:
adilovesrolls said:
the usb flap is one easy replacemnt. just pull out the existing one neatly just a little pressure, make sure to hold the extension plastic that connects to the flap rather than the flap itself. When you get the replacement just insert the new replacement the same way you pulled out the old one:good:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I ordered the flap of eBay and replaced it as per your instructions. Jiffy - my ZU is back to being new. Thanks!
Have been using Z Ultra for almost 1.5 years now but this is my 3rd Ultra. First one was silver color and I used it for about a year and since the paint in the side had peeled off, sold it and bought Lumia 1520 but screen was not upto my satisfaction (Size-wise), so again bought Z ultra Black color. Unfortunately, within a week, my kid threw moto360 and it fell on the ZU screen, it cracked and touch is not working (Thank God, nothing happened to Moto360). I Checked with Sony as it was hardly a week old but since it was physical damage, they said it will cost around $200 to replace the screen
Instead of that, I went and bought a new one for around ˜ $250 during Christmas offer. It has slight scratches on the back as I dont like to use back protection while the front is in pristine condition. Eagerly waiting for p8Max/LeTV Max now, provided it is in my budget!
cashif said:
Have been using Z Ultra for almost 1.5 years now but this is my 3rd Ultra. First one was silver color and I used it for about a year and since the paint in the side had peeled off, sold it and bought Lumia 1520 but screen was not upto my satisfaction (Size-wise), so again bought Z ultra Black color. Unfortunately, within a week, my kid threw moto360 and it fell on the ZU screen, it cracked and touch is not working (Thank God, nothing happened to Moto360). I Checked with Sony as it was hardly a week old but since it was physical damage, they said it will cost around $200 to replace the screen
Instead of that, I went and bought a new one for around ˜ $250 during Christmas offer. It has slight scratches on the back as I dont like to use back protection while the front is in pristine condition. Eagerly waiting for p8Max/LeTV Max now, provided it is in my budget!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm with you there, don't rule out the Mediapad X2 either There is a plastic film on the back, which you can easily peel off. Try it out You can stick on a tempered glass sheet on there easily afterwards.
gideonMorrison said:
I'm wait you there, don't rule out the Mediapad X2 either There is a plastic film on the back, which you can easily peel off. Try it out You can stick on a tempered glass sheet on there easily afterwards.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks but wouldnt 'Sony' logo come off as well if I were to remove the plastic film?
I've just dropped my three month old Honor 7 and the screen is cracked from the bottom right corner. I bought it new from Amazon UK (sold by Amazon EU S.a.r.L.), it wasn't through Vmall. Is the screen covered under any form of warranty? If not, where's the cheapest place to get it fixed in the UK?
GrandMasterPlank said:
I've just dropped my three month old Honor 7 and the screen is cracked from the bottom right corner. I bought it new from Amazon UK (sold by Amazon EU S.a.r.L.), it wasn't through Vmall. Is the screen covered under any form of warranty? If not, where's the cheapest place to get it fixed in the UK?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think the screen is guaranteed against manufacturing faults, but not the glass against accidental damage.
When I trod on mine in the back of a car, I called Hihonor support and they quoted me £70-80 + £15 inspection and postage charge, which I thought was reasonable, however when calling their repair centre to book mine in they laughed and said it would be at least £130 for Honor 7 screen replacement - they can't do just the glass as it's all bonded to the digitiser and screen.
I decided to buy a new screen (with glass, digitiser and interior frame attached) from eBay for about £40 and fitted it myself. Not as easy as the videos on youtube make it look - it is very difficult to get apart for a start, then the battery is hard to remove. Also, various parts (including all the buttons, vibration motor etc have to be heated with a hairdryer to separate them from the old screen frame and re-installed into the new frame.
Luckily mine is working perfectly now, although I think the screen may not be quite as bright as the original one was.
I wouldn't try to buy just the glass, or even the glass and screen (without the frame) - you'll never get it to look as good as new.
Good luck and let us know how you get on with having it repaired or doing it yourself.
You can PM me if you need any advice
honorable said:
I think the screen is guaranteed against manufacturing faults, but not the glass against accidental damage.
When I trod on mine in the back of a car, I called Hihonor support and they quoted me £70-80 + £15 inspection and postage charge, which I thought was reasonable, however when calling their repair centre to book mine in they laughed and said it would be at least £130 for Honor 7 screen replacement - they can't do just the glass as it's all bonded to the digitiser and screen.
I decided to buy a new screen (with glass, digitiser and interior frame attached) from eBay for about £40 and fitted it myself. Not as easy as the videos on youtube make it look - it is very difficult to get apart for a start, then the battery is hard to remove. Also, various parts (including all the buttons, vibration motor etc have to be heated with a hairdryer to separate them from the old screen frame and re-installed into the new frame.
Luckily mine is working perfectly now, although I think the screen may not be quite as bright as the original one was.
I wouldn't try to buy just the glass, or even the glass and screen (without the frame) - you'll never get it to look as good as new.
Good luck and let us know how you get on with having it repaired or doing it yourself.
You can PM me if you need any advice
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks dude, much appreciated. I was into it until you started mentioning removing parts by heating them up then thought I'll leave it to the experts. :laugh: Honor UK have quoted me £80 as it's a pretty clean break so I'm going to give them a go and see what they say. If they do the same as they did for you, which they said they wouldn't!, then I'll go with that. Will let you know.
I'm surprised their aren't more threads on hear about replacing screens because this phone does feel fragile despite being reasonably weighty so I'd have thought there'd be loads of cracked screens out there. I dropped my old S5 a couple of times from higher up and the screen survived both times. Am now thinking a tempered glass protector might be in order for the 7 :fingers-crossed:
Mine had a glass protector, but I guess they don't cope with treading on! I've put one on the new screen too.
I also have an S-line gel case which acts as a bit of a buffer against drops.
Let us know if you get yours done for £80
honorable said:
Mine had a glass protector, but I guess they don't cope with treading on! I've put one on the new screen too.
I also have an S-line gel case which acts as a bit of a buffer against drops.
Let us know if you get yours done for £80
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
After reading reviews of the official Honor repair company, SBE Limited, and how they appear to be happy to scam people I thought I'd have a go myself. So I bought a replacement front glass and thought I'd give it a go.
Dissembling the phone is really easy, once you've got the hang of the clips holding the back on, and taking it all apart was easy. What wasn't so easy (read nigh-on impossible) is separating the front glass from the digitiser. I tried and tried and in the end the touch screen just split into a number of layers so I'll need to order the complete screen assembly. My concern is you mentioned you bought one off ebay and it wasn't as bright as the original. From this I'm guessing it wasn't an original screen? I'd like to get an original if I can. Do you have a link to the one you bought? How long did it take coming from China?
Don't know if this is relevant but under the hicare app it allows you to price up replacement parts. Could not find any mention of the Honor 7 but it did list the Honor 5X as £35 so might be worth trying this way to see if they do have the Honor 7.
I got mine from eBay seller called bestsellstuff.
£35.27 at the moment and mine came quicker than expected with 2nd class delivery free.
I don't think any of the eBay sellers will say they are genuine screens, but I think they probably all are - I can't imagine they would be cheap to replicate. Maybe they are seconds or find their way out of the factory somehow....
boroleigh said:
Don't know if this is relevant but under the hicare app it allows you to price up replacement parts. Could not find any mention of the Honor 7 but it did list the Honor 5X as £35 so might be worth trying this way to see if they do have the Honor 7.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the nod. Tried it but no joy. For some reason they don't support the Honor 7. Very Huawei tbh, they're left hand doesn't know what the right is doing. A bit all over the place.
honorable said:
I got mine from eBay seller called bestsellstuff.
£35.27 at the moment and mine came quicker than expected with 2nd class delivery free.
I don't think any of the eBay sellers will say they are genuine screens, but I think they probably all are - I can't imagine they would be cheap to replicate. Maybe they are seconds or find their way out of the factory somehow....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Great stuff, have just ordered the last one they had in stock in they're in France also, so should be quicker than coming from Hong Kong. Funny thing is I hadn't seen their add before, it hadn't come up with my ebay search for 'Honor 7 replacement screen'. Without having the name I'd not have found it and paid more so thanks again! :good:
Here are a few tips for when it arrives:
Don't peel off any of the blue plastic film until you're ready to do each part - it's very sticky underneath.
Take photos as you go along incase you need to go back a astep.
I'm not sure if you got to the stage of removing the battery before - it is stuck down very strongly. I just gradually prised mine out, but you might find heating it a bit will release it easier. There aren't any cables underneath it (as some other Honors have).
When heating (with a hairdryer) the small bits of circuit board and components that need to be transferred to the new frame, only do it for long enough to get them to peel off (I used tweezers to do this).
When you come to install each part, there are very small bumps in the frame that you need to line up the equally small holes on the part - makes positioning them easy! Then use a plastic tool to press them firmly onto the frame.
When you come to put everything back, make sure that the very small narrow ribbon cable that goes under the tiny flip-up bracket (the connection to the smart key) goes in fully until it stops. I didn't put mine in completely and the smart key wouldn't work until I re-did it properly.
You may notice that there is a square-ish hole and some slots in the frame (under where the battery goes?) on the new frame which aren't on the old one. If so, you might want to cover them up with some black gaffa tape or thin card - I suspect they are the cause of some light areas at the very sides of my screen, but I don't want to strip mine down again.
honorable said:
Here are a few tips for when it arrives:
Don't peel off any of the blue plastic film until you're ready to do each part - it's very sticky underneath.
Take photos as you go along incase you need to go back a astep.
I'm not sure if you got to the stage of removing the battery before - it is stuck down very strongly. I just gradually prised mine out, but you might find heating it a bit will release it easier. There aren't any cables underneath it (as some other Honors have).
When heating (with a hairdryer) the small bits of circuit board and components that need to be transferred to the new frame, only do it for long enough to get them to peel off (I used tweezers to do this).
When you come to install each part, there are very small bumps in the frame that you need to line up the equally small holes on the part - makes positioning them easy! Then use a plastic tool to press them firmly onto the frame.
When you come to put everything back, make sure that the very small narrow ribbon cable that goes under the tiny flip-up bracket (the connection to the smart key) goes in fully until it stops. I didn't put mine in completely and the smart key wouldn't work until I re-did it properly.
You may notice that there is a square-ish hole and some slots in the frame (under where the battery goes?) on the new frame which aren't on the old one. If so, you might want to cover them up with some black gaffa tape or thin card - I suspect they are the cause of some light areas at the very sides of my screen, but I don't want to strip mine down again.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Great tips, thanks again. I'll be sorting it as soon as it arrives. Will report on how I get on.
honorable said:
Here are a few tips for when it arrives:
Don't peel off any of the blue plastic film until you're ready to do each part - it's very sticky underneath.......
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorted!! Thanks for the advice, was really useful. Took it all on board, took my time (about 1hr) and fitted the new screen. Clipped it all back together and worked perfect first time. £35 to get your screen fixed, amazing. I'll always fix a cracked screen from now on, these repair companies are just profiteering.
Thanks again.
GrandMasterPlank said:
Sorted!! Thanks for the advice, was really useful. Took it all on board, took my time (about 1hr) and fitted the new screen. Clipped it all back together and worked perfect first time. £35 to get your screen fixed, amazing. I'll always fix a cracked screen from now on, these repair companies are just profiteering.
Thanks again.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Great news!!
Did you have to cover the square hole and slot to stop light leakage?
Also, is there any light bleeding at the sides and is there any difference in brightness from the original screen?
honorable said:
Great news!!
Did you have to cover the square hole and slot to stop light leakage?
Also, is there any light bleeding at the sides and is there any difference in brightness from the original screen?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The screen and housing isn't original Huawei, it's a pattern unit but tbh it looks totally identical in use, no less dim than the original screen. There's also no bleed at all. There weren't any hollows and slots to fill with card under the battery. The only hollow was at the base of the battery as it sat slightly higher up (towards the top of the phone when laid flat) in the casing so I filled that with folded card.
The only slight issue is that the screen shape (rounded corners of the glass) when looking at the phone from the front doesn't fit into the corners of the casing absolutely perfectly. Tbh only a phone nut would notice it, wouldn't be an issue to anyone else.