Touch Screen "Smudge"

[dan13l]

Hi all,

I've now seen two HTC Touch devices with the same "smudge" on the screen. It appears in the centre, underneath the top layer of screen, and is roughly 3cm long. It's almost as if dust has collected in the middle of the screen or something.

I'd have thought nothing of it until I saw another device with the same thing. Has anyone else experienced this? It's not always visible - with the screen off, or in direct sunlight you can see it, but otherwise it's not noticeable.

Anyone?

[dimushor]

I have the same shit right in the center of my device

[naillik]

i've the same probleme on my screen

it's very boring

[maevro]

After how long did you begin to see this problem? I have only had my Touch a short amount of time and haven't had this issue but its not great that many people are dealing with it.

[Igor01]

Damn, I hope this doesn't turn into another "my black Trinity is peeling" issue that affects all or most Touch users. Why don't you guys run a poll to get an idea how wide spread this is? Perhaps HTC needs to be made aware of this if it's not just some isolated defects.

[maevro]

Damn, I hope this doesn't turn into another "my black Trinity is peeling" issue that affects all or most Touch users. Why don't you guys run a poll to get an idea how wide spread this is? Perhaps HTC needs to be made aware of this if it's not just some isolated defects.

I was one of the few that never had paint peeling issue on my black Trinity so hopefully I can dodge this smudge issue too....

[citats]

I think u will find that it is an inherent part of the hard touch screen. Device off on all touches should display what some call a blur. I have to put mine at an angle and I can see a small 1cm max. aboration. otherwise quite unnoticeable.

[psionara]

Had mine almost 8 weeks and not any hint of any smudge / blur or anything unusual

[wbaez0320]

Guess what, I also have this blur at the center of my screen, I thought nothing of it at first because it is barely noticable and second I thought that maybe I accidently pressed on the screen to hard at one point while carrying in my pocket; However now I am more concerned due to the fact that others have this same issue...??

[troyjam]

Same problem with mine.

[mploetner]

to all that have the problem. Do you have an original Touch ore a branded version (XDA, MDA etc.)?

[Lovwyr]

Well, i have that little piece of htc touch since about one week, the branded version XDA. don´t got that smudge on my screen, and i hope i never will. ... otherwise i will get it back to the shop and try to get a new one ... have got the experience that O2 (i´m having the htc from that privider in Germany) turned out to be quite nice in such things.

[SecureGSM]

just something that you migh like to consider. Coming from unverified source:

http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=440676

see post by hamishmacdonald


...Unfortunately, my Touch has developed a patch of fog or dust under the screen, and HTC have confirmed they've had several reported cases of this. They were very helpful on the phone, though, and sound like they're going to be good about getting me a replacement quickly

[red.schumi]

can someone post a screenshot, that the other users
know, what you are talking about?

thanxs in advance

red.schumi

[rahulkool]

i see a big patch while starting the device where it says "smart mobility" but after that never noticed it :-/

i will try to take a pic of it ........

[Seed123]

are you talking about that submarine or something below smart mobility?

[rahulkool]

are you talking about that submarine or something below smart mobility?

yeah yeah its kinda submarine .....is it same with ur mobile ?? i guess the background they have used is not perfect black :-/

[dan13l]

I'll try to get a photo of it tonight. It's basically a smudge that's 2cm high, and half a centimetre wide, right in the centre of the display. It's beneath the external covering on the screen, and almost looks like a neatly arranged collection of dust right in the middle.

I may have someone who can look into this for me, so I'll investigate and post here if anything turns up. It does sound like this is a problem with the device though, and is more widespread than I expected.

[Seed123]

yeah yeah its kinda submarine .....is it same with ur mobile ?? i guess the background they have used is not perfect black :-/
Yeah but I only noticed it when soft resetting and when someone posted it here so I looked below the smart mobility text carefully.. haven't noticed it otherwise..

[bobspace]

I had this problem just days after getting my Touch. I sent it back and got another... I have a smudge again... even though it isnt as bad. I will contact HTC again and see if I can send it back again. Not sure I will have a Touch after sending this one back.

[monkeycracker]

I too had a smudge - happened after only one day of use. I contact my retailer, who sent it back to HTC - got it repaired under warranty (think it's 1 year) and was returned back within 10 working days. Same phone, just with a new screen! (and no smudge!)
To any of you who have this smudge, I'd suggest contacting your retailer...

[botson71]

The same smudge here too *and* one burnt pixel. My retailer said it can be repaired under the warranty (2 years in EU) but now I'm waiting for Seksona or someone else from the experienced guys here to post the original ROM for my Touch in order to re-flash it.

[darthbane2k]

Yeah, I have this problem too. Thought it was dust. Im not keen on sending the phone back though as I have all my apps and settings just how I like them. The smudge is only visable when the screen is off anyway.

[PianoSam]

Can someone post a picture of a diagram. I replaced my HTC logo with mu own image and so cannot really see the issue. I am keen to confirm that I am lucky or normal or downright in with the rest of you...

All the best,
Sam.

[john1027]

Here is one from a device I previously purchased used. I sold it "as is" to somone who didn't mind the smudge rather than deal with the issue and got a new one. The smudge in my case was definitely under the screen and was quite visible when the screen was off and less so when it was on. Nevertheless, it did make the screen less clear.

[Seed123]

Ah thank god I don't have anything like that.. whew

[s01673915]

i see a big patch while starting the device where it says "smart mobility" but after that never noticed it :-/

i will try to take a pic of it ........

I have that too... i am going down to HTC customer Service centre tml @ sg.

Let see what they have to say... will keep you guys updated.

[bennyhill]

I too have the same problem with my screen. Does anyone know if HTC is willing to replace the device or should there be some type of recall, since so many of us are having the same issues.

[maevro]

I too have the same problem with my screen. Does anyone know if HTC is willing to replace the device or should there be some type of recall, since so many of us are having the same issues.

Do you not read.....

I too had a smudge - happened after only one day of use. I contact my retailer, who sent it back to HTC - got it repaired under warranty (think it's 1 year) and was returned back within 10 working days. Same phone, just with a new screen! (and no smudge!)
To any of you who have this smudge, I'd suggest contacting your retailer...





Here is one from a device I previously purchased used. I sold it "as is" to somone who didn't mind the smudge rather than deal with the issue and got a new one. The smudge in my case was definitely under the screen and was quite visible when the screen was off and less so when it was on. Nevertheless, it did make the screen less clear.

Is this Touch really Grey like this? I have never seen one, only Black or Green.

[henftling]

don´have this smudge and I´m playing with my touch since twoo weeks...
in case u guys do not have the smudge so far, maybe try to start touchflo not by gesting above the whole screen but just from the very bottom end a few millimeters...no wear - no smudge ...just an idea

[Cuspide]

same here... 1cm long, but only seeing it screen off and direct sun light... I was a bit in a pity when i first saw it, but now i dont' see it unless i look for it....


I think it's a screen problem... On the Other side my touch overlcok to 299mhz without any problem... So i dont want HTC to change it... ;)

[ikoni]

I also have the same thing, I bought my phone in Portugal whilst on Holiday and noticed it after I switched my phone off and was getting on the plane back to Germany.

I don't think it should be there and now I know its there I see it all the time, I think it's possibly getting worse.

[Cuspide]

it seems to be small bubbles... it in the center of the screen under the glass

[starlit]

so any one else has this issue? Is it wide spread and is HTC offering a fix?

[starlit]

so any one else has this issue? Is it wide spread and is HTC offering a fix?

I hope its only a few cases. According to one of the pics, the smudge effect looks very obvious.

[pchronos]

I am in Canada and bought my phone from the UK back in June.

Spoke to HTC Customer support in the US today about the problem. They want me to ship the phone to them ( my expense ) then they will charge a $20 fee to look at the phone. If the problem is a defect and/or still within the warranty period it will be repaired free of charge. If not and the repair costs are accepted the $20 will be applied to the repair cost. Return shipping is free.

The problem does not seem to affect performance (yet) but I think the smudge is getting bigger.

Thoughts ?

[dimushor]

so any one else has this issue? Is it wide spread and is HTC offering a fix?

as far as i know, they are replacing devices

[madcat23]

well for those without warrenty the touchscreen component can be purchased for quite a low price on ebay.

if someone decides to go this route pls post a step by step instruction set to help out the other members facing the same issue. thanks

[Diogo Sarmento]

hi!
i'm new here as well as in ppc's "world".
I don't have a htc touch yet nor even a ppc, but i'll have later this month.
Meanwhile, i'm reading a lot about this device and it's issues and i read your problem. I wonder if changing the sensivity of the screen wouldn't avoid these kind of problems.
all you need is to pick up a registry editor, and change one of the values.
In qtek s100 is located in HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Drivers\Touch, but in htc touch i don't know where it is. don't decrease the value or you may not use the touch screen unless u do a hardreset - u must always increase.
sorry for my english :D

[ahzhui]

Yeah but I only noticed it when soft resetting and when someone posted it here so I looked below the smart mobility text carefully.. haven't noticed it otherwise..

Me also got the same problem. Got one patch under the "Smart Mobility" title during the startup. After startup, cannot see that patch at all. Had my Touch for 2months. :D

[grypho]

are you guys using the supplied screen protector?

[mitchellkrog]

grypho, tooks the words right out of my mouth. After reading though 5 pages of posts I also want to know if everyone with this problem used the screen protector, supplied in the box.

I have only had my touch for 2 days so I cannot really comment on any smudging, the screen is crystal clear though. But I have been using HTC devices for a few years now and the first step when it comes out of the box is a screen protector. Hope it's not a flaw with the Touch. Will monitor this post.

[darthbane2k]

Are you suggesting this problem is a result of the screen protector or a result of use without the protector?

I have no protector installed on my screen and I still have the smudge.

[oL0RD]

HI

There seems to be dirt under the first layer of my screen.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F4IfcwUWcPE

is this se same thing you guys are having?

[grypho]

grypho, tooks the words right out of my mouth. After reading though 5 pages of posts I also want to know if everyone with this problem used the screen protector, supplied in the box.

I have only had my touch for 2 days so I cannot really comment on any smudging, the screen is crystal clear though. But I have been using HTC devices for a few years now and the first step when it comes out of the box is a screen protector. Hope it's not a flaw with the Touch. Will monitor this post.

I bought the device last friday, so I;m taking any necessary steps in order to mantain the device in "mint" conditions.

Are you suggesting this problem is a result of the screen protector or a result of use without the protector?

I have no protector installed on my screen and I still have the smudge. Maybe the finger friction and an incorrect protection of the screen (not using the included screen protector?) is causing this? Anyone willing to open the device to see if this can be cleaned with any kind of "screen cleaner"?

[charliess]

i dont have the sam Problem but i also have very tiny dust particles in the left down corner you dont see it but if the sun directly shines above the diplay you can see.I didnt anything cause i think O2 wont just send one without dust cause its sooo tiny but it annoys..

[rckeystone]

I've had my Touch for 6 weeks. Thankfully don't have any smudge at this point.
I've had a screen protector on it since I got it. At this point we're not sure if a screen protector helps in preventing the smudge but as we get more responses from users we'll hopefully see if there's a pattern or not.

[crampedson]

I have the smudge problem, BUT I also opened my Touch, found out where the smudge is (While killing my warranty) and for the heck of it, polished it out using Brasso. It is NOT dust, it is closer described as a cloudiness in the plastic. I suspect that the polycarbonate may of shrunk slightly during shipping, leading to slight cracking which looks exactly like a smudge. It is the underside of the polycarbonate that is cloudy, there seems to no chance that it could have hit the layer below, which is the LCD itself.

[crampedson]

Forgot to add, the screen protector would then do nothing to prevent it from happening.

[rckeystone]

I have the smudge problem, BUT I also opened my Touch, found out where the smudge is (While killing my warranty) and for the heck of it, polished it out using Brasso. It is NOT dust, it is closer described as a cloudiness in the plastic. I suspect that the polycarbonate may of shrunk slightly during shipping, leading to slight cracking which looks exactly like a smudge. It is the underside of the polycarbonate that is cloudy, there seems to no chance that it could have hit the layer below, which is the LCD itself.

Thanks for the great information! Luckily there's no damage to the LCD but I know that if I had it on my Touch it would bother me that it was there.

[pchronos]

Shipped my Touch back to HTC (USA). They told me the screen will be replaced. I guess they mean the touch membrane.

[cliffgardner]

im having the same issue.

[rolandrat]

Bought two at same time, both have this problem. :mad:

[grypho]

so, this "issue" is seen as soon as you buy and unpack the touch?

[BlastOS]

I am having the same problem there

[Seed123]

Whew.. I'm glad I'm not having this issue.

[EviLLoNe]

Hey guys i have a similar issue with mine as well - barely 2 weeks old now -
I noticed it one day when i was reseting the device. I can only see it when i reset the device and the boot up screen comes up. I have 2 small smudges near the top right hand corner of the screen.
I called the store where i purchased it from, and the best they can do is send it in for repair,, which could take 3 to 4 weeks... i just got the damn thing!!

[kingraf01]

Yup me, too, I thought it was cause I bought it off ebay, and just hoping it won't get worse. :mad:

[Ginex]

So I guess I'm the winner of a fantastic Elf with 2 blurring spots: one in the center and another one in the upper right corner, just under the X or the Task manager...

[johnhol]

Surely if it happens within 14 days of purchase you can take it back and emand a new one, otherwise you can cancel your contract (if you got it on a contract). This would hopefully push them into gving you new handset.

Getting mine today so hopefully they've addressed the issue!!!

[srmz]

My Touch is now 3 weeks old and I noticed the problem similar to as another poster on this thread. I see the smudge mark just for a second or so as the device boots up. After this it is no longer visible as if it never existed. I would have expected this to remain visible specially in a white background as a blank word file, but no you can't see it except for the single moment at boot time. In my case it is towards the lower center end of the screen and is about 1 CM X 1 CM.

For the time being I am keeping my device as at least for now it is causing me no problem. Just hope it does not grow with time and start becoming obtrusive.

Regards

[SimonBl]

It's been mentioned, I am sure in this thread, that it's just a sloppy editing job on the image that is the whole screen. Someone wiped out some text with a brush that wasn't exactly the same colour as the background. Ignore it.

[srmz]

Thanks a lot that is a big relief.

[pchronos]

It's been mentioned, I am sure in this thread, that it's just a sloppy editing job on the image that is the whole screen. Someone wiped out some text with a brush that wasn't exactly the same colour as the background. Ignore it.


Not the same problem. This is physical and between the LCD and the touch membrane. Best way to see it is to polish the surface of the screen well with a cloth till there are no prints or swirls on it and then turn it off so you have a black background against the touch surface.

Examine the screen in sunlight from a slight angle and you will see the "smudge" in the center of the screen if your unit has this problem.

[starlit]

It seems most Touch has this. If you look carefully enough. But once its powerup, you are unable to notice it.

[EviLLoNe]

I have now started to notice the "smudges" (2 of em) on white backgrounds and light coloured pages, as well as my Home screen. So it appears that this problem gets progressively worse.
I'm going back to the shop tommorrow and mentioning this thread as well, to ensure that they are aware that this is happening to many devices and hopefully get them to replace mine on the spot. (doubtful) but worth trying i guess..

[bkeaver]

i dont have that issue with mine and I have had mine over 2 months now. Is everyone that has this issue using a screen protector? I use mine constantly with syncing via outlook, connecting to a citrix server and even watch tv via a sling player plus contstantly reading RSS feed which keeps my finger moving up and down the screen and i havent seen it. Maybe this question was already asked in this thread and if so sorry didnt read every single post but did look at the pic posted.

[Strikah9999]

If it's the shrinking problem. Can't you complain at HTC, I believe they should have thought of that first and not let customers find out later.

[starlit]

mine is just like what some mentioned. Only noticable momentarily during the smart mobility startup.

[nzmedic]

Hi all. Same thing happened to mine. I sent it back, they replaced the LCD and all fixed...

[fastmike]

Exact same problem with my Touch... Not visible when backlight is on, but very noticeable when the screen goes off...:(

Hope this will not got worst... May be due to the processor heating to close to the LCD???

Do you recommend to have it replaced/fixed?

Thanks

[Juang3d]

Did you use the case that comes with the terminal?

Several years ago i played around with an ipaQ 2210, a friend of mine has the same problem and the technicla service from HP told him that the case that comes with the pocket (that is similar to the case from the touch) can damage the pocketpc because it is in permanent contact and pressing the screen, the solution for this was to get some solid case to carry it in the pocket.

Hope this help you :)

[wbaez0320]

Well guys, I noticed the smudge a couple weeks after I purchased my touch and just like most of you (visible when off & Not when on).

just a few days ago I purchased a brand new housing for the phone because it had some scratches on it. Well I tried to do it myself, BAD MOVE because once I put it back together and running my screen was not responding well.

Anyway, I discovered that the smudge is on the Touch Panel glass with the HTC logo and NOt on the LCD screen. To me that was great news, but the bad news is that it does not come off and worst of all no one seems to sell this piece? any suggestions appreciated..

[C J]

it's on every htc touch. it's not a submarine, it's a fish. Signifies smart mobility. visible only when it's on and the smart mobility word comes out. After which it's gone.

[Rod65]

I have mine now for about 4 weeks and there is no smudge on it. I bought it here at amazon in germany and I am using the screen protector and the carrying case that comes with the box.
The part you can see at the bootup is a background image, that isn't really black at all.

[jannud]

I have mine now for about 4 weeks and there is no smudge on it. I bought it here at amazon in germany and I am using the screen protector and the carrying case that comes with the box.
The part you can see at the bootup is a background image, that isn't really black at all.
I am using elf from past 4 weeks, using the pouch given by HTC.....no issues yet!!

[Guillelle]

Hi,

I recently had a totally different screen issue (white 1 pixel wide bars across the top of the screen ) after 2 months of use. The point is that i sent my unit to repair and got the LCD (Samsung manufactured, btw) changed, covered by warranty.

I've received my touch again and just read this thread to discover that i'm also having the smudge issue. Mine is a vertical cloud about 2x0,5 cm.

As most of you say, it's clearly visible with the display off or in a dark background, but it also makes a "blur" effect the rest of the time.

My guess is that they are very small cracks on the plastic cover, and that means that it might eventually get worse with the use.

Fingers crossed.

P.S. I'm also using the screen protector since day 0 and the soft pouch to carry.

[goTouch]

Well, my little smudge is located at top right of my screen. My luck it's very small and the bad news is that really getting worse. It definitely on the front transparent panel (not on LCD).
I've never seen this kind of problem before on another HTC device.
I want to know if Dual or Enhanced model has the same problem. Maybe HTC already correct this issue.

[kiko2007]

What are You talking about? You can easy use protection films.

[llcooljayce]

I have the same problem. For those of you that sent the Touch into HTC for repair, what was the process? Did you have to pay? Did they replace the screen or the entire device?

[llcooljayce]

Anyone ???

[webkami]

Hi all,

I've now seen two HTC Touch devices with the same "smudge" on the screen. It appears in the centre, underneath the top layer of screen, and is roughly 3cm long. It's almost as if dust has collected in the middle of the screen or something.

I'd have thought nothing of it until I saw another device with the same thing. Has anyone else experienced this? It's not always visible - with the screen off, or in direct sunlight you can see it, but otherwise it's not noticeable.

Anyone?

I have just got a second hand touch.
It has a smudge and a dead (green) pixel which sometime appear.

Any chance of using warranty direct from HTC?

[llcooljayce]

That's what I was looking for an answer on as well ...

[Chris Chin]

I think HTC must cover this under their warranty as this is a hardware defect.

[llcooljayce]

Can anyone please provide information on warranty repair of this issue?

[leetsauce]

I just received my Touch today, no smudge or whatever. However, I did notice something: the reported location of the smudges on the screen is where the magnet on the included pouch is. I experienced a very similar problem with my Mogul's pouch, and I ended up having three bright white spots on the Mogul's screen because it was pressed against the metal buttons on the back of the pouch.

For those of you with this smudge problem, are you guys using the included magnetic pouch? Wild theory as this might be, I believe it is very plausible that the smudges are caused by pressure against the magnet.

[TimJDavis]

I purchased two Touch phones soon after the launch. Both of them have the smudge problem, appears to come out a couple of months after use. And neither phone has been placed near a magnet. :(

I'm in discussions with HTC at the moment. More to follow soon.

[TimJDavis]

HTC are refusing to replace the two HTC Touch phones (that both have the same 'smudge' fault on the screen).

I bought my machines in late JUne and Early July.

I have already been told by engineers at HTC that they know of a faulty batch. I have also found a ZD-Net review posted on 14 June that also refers to the smudge problem. And this was BEFORE HTCX launched the phone.

I would suggst that HTC should have known there was a problem and therefore, under the 'sales of goods act, as amended (1978)' then these phones where faulty at the point of sale and not fit for purposes. Therefore I should be (and anyone else in the same boat) legally entitle to a refund.

I've also spokento Expansys (who sold me the phones) and they verbally agreed.

Needless to say, HTC refuse to replaec or refund....

I will never buy another HTC phone again.. I am apalled, and very very disappointed that they can treat their customers like this.. :mad:

[TimJDavis]

This is the link to the ZD-Net review

[TimJDavis]

http://community.zdnet.co.uk/blog/0,1000000567,10005494o-2000331760b,00.htm

[mrblackcat]

Oh, i think thats called screen cancer, happened to 2 friend's nintendo DS... and it seems to become worst and worst with time :(:(:(
Never though it could happen with touch too :mad:

[Boopy]

Sorry to have this subject as my first post :(

The smudge on my Touch has gotten worse over the past months. Every time I look at the phone, I notice it.... From my conversation with HTC, it looks like it would be close to a month before I got a repaired phone back (that's IF they agree to repair it.... I have a UK model, I'm in Canada, and they're in the US !).

I'm handy enough to replace the touchscreen/casing, but I can't find the parts anywhere. Has anyone had any luck in finding a replacement touchscreen ?

Thanks !

[life02]

http://cnn.cn/shop/touch-screen-p-1900.html

seem to have them here for $68... I've used them quite a few times and never had any problems

[Boopy]

http://cnn.cn/shop/touch-screen-p-1900.html

seem to have them here for $68... I've used them quite a few times and never had any problems

Thanks for your help... but that's the actual LCD, not the touch screen :(

[bereda]

here ill save your touches life ... http://cgi.ebay.com/New-Original-HTC-Touch-P3450-Touch-Screen-Digitizer-T6_W0QQitemZ110217655985QQihZ001QQcategoryZ15039QQ ssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

http://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-Touch-Panel-NO-LCD-Digitizer-for-HTC-Touch-P3450-A_W0QQitemZ290177192706QQihZ019QQcategoryZ39401QQr dZ1QQssPageNameZWD1VQQtrksidZp1638.m118.l1247QQcmd ZViewItem

http://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-Touch-panel-Digitizer-for-HTC-Touch-P3450-no-LCD-U_W0QQitemZ290181433582QQihZ019QQcategoryZ41343QQr dZ1QQssPageNameZWD1VQQtrksidZp1638.m118.l1247QQcmd ZViewItem

[llcooljayce]

I saw these listings but does anyone have instructions on how to replace the digitizer?

[bereda]

its actually easy um theres a site around that shows how to dissasemble...im actually changing mine to the white one very soon!!

[Boopy]

here ill save your touches life ... http://cgi.ebay.com/New-Original-HTC-Touch-P3450-Touch-Screen-Digitizer-T6_W0QQitemZ110217655985QQihZ001QQcategoryZ15039QQ ssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

http://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-Touch-Panel-NO-LCD-Digitizer-for-HTC-Touch-P3450-A_W0QQitemZ290177192706QQihZ019QQcategoryZ39401QQr dZ1QQssPageNameZWD1VQQtrksidZp1638.m118.l1247QQcmd ZViewItem

http://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-Touch-panel-Digitizer-for-HTC-Touch-P3450-no-LCD-U_W0QQitemZ290181433582QQihZ019QQcategoryZ41343QQr dZ1QQssPageNameZWD1VQQtrksidZp1638.m118.l1247QQcmd ZViewItem

You rock ! Thank you very much :D

[WMguy]

HTC are refusing to replace the two HTC Touch phones (that both have the same 'smudge' fault on the screen).

I bought my machines in late JUne and Early July.

I have already been told by engineers at HTC that they know of a faulty batch. I have also found a ZD-Net review posted on 14 June that also refers to the smudge problem. And this was BEFORE HTCX launched the phone.

I would suggst that HTC should have known there was a problem and therefore, under the 'sales of goods act, as amended (1978)' then these phones where faulty at the point of sale and not fit for purposes. Therefore I should be (and anyone else in the same boat) legally entitle to a refund.

I've also spokento Expansys (who sold me the phones) and they verbally agreed.

Needless to say, HTC refuse to replaec or refund....

I will never buy another HTC phone again.. I am apalled, and very very disappointed that they can treat their customers like this.. :mad:
Tim,
I also have a July Touch with the smudge.
Did you actually send in your phone to have them tell you they would not fix or was this all verbal?
I just talked to HTC and they opened an RMA. They told me to ship in the phone, they would analyze it and tell me if it was covered under warrantee. If not they would fix it for money or ship it back for $28.
I'm not sure it's worth going through all that to just pay $28 to ship it right back to me.

[ayyu3m]

its not a problem of your hardware OR software. its a fault with the SMART MOBILITY image file.

I updated my ELF with an update version of the shipped ROM. no more SMUDGE screen.

then i downgraded to my ORIGINAL shipped version. VOILA!!! the SMUDGE was back :D

Details: Read the post here
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=331100&page=5

[WMguy]

Well, there must be different kinds of smudges then. My smudge is there even when the phone is powered off without a battery in it.

[sonixpl]

to be honest, I've got 4 Touches (Elf's) 3/4 of them have a smudge. I'm interested if Elfin have the same or they fix it already. This smudge is annoying but I can't stand moving to Orbit 2 which is f***** slow for me. Today friend of mine bought a Orbit 2 from o2 and I could only say that is piece of shajt. Camera is still poor quality and AF is not what n73 have. I'm wondering if I change to 3452 it will be the same with this display.

[Erico75]

Also same problem with mine which has more or less 6 month just in the middle of the scren but i got used to it ;)

[Aaron McCarthy]

Add me to the long list of people with a smudge on the screen. It just happend about 2 days ago. All the sudden I noticed a dark patch about 1/3 up center in the screen. I am going to bring it into the store I got it (telus) and see what they say about it. I've only had the phone for about 4 months now. Nothing has been wrong with it at all untill this. So I'm hoping they'll just replace it. Although I have a feeling they'll send it off for repair and give me some crappy loaner in the meantime.

I'll keep you guys updated if anyone is interested haha.

Aaron

[sonixpl]

reather not, but I want to know if 3452 is suffered of this as well ?

[alexandrend]

If this smudge is called "screen cancer" I believe that now my Touch is in metastasis. I had the smudge in the center of the screen for a couple of months now but this week it become worst when something that looks like a leak appeared in the center of the screen.
It is a rectangle of aprox 2x5 cm and looks like if some air or liquid appeared just bellow the glass protector and the LCD screen.
I'm now contacting HTC to get my phone fixed. It is still under warranty.
See some images below.

[abhishek.vij]

So did anybody find out wether HTC Touch XL (elfin / 3452) has the same issue or not ??

[asefsef]

COUNT me in! I've got a darker patch where that submarin is on the touch screen 2! (lower half centre)

not very problematic, can't see it wen doing things really..
but hey wot the solution?:p

[specialk2980]

I have the same exact "smudge" on my screen. My touch is less then 30 days old, so I took it back to Sprint to get it checked out. They confirmed it was NOT due to water damage and they are going to replace it for free.

[sonixpl]

still nobody reported P3452 as with 'screen cancer' so probably they fixed digitalizer or whatever it is broken there ;) now I'm going to buy Elfin so I don't want this again to appear.

[sledge81]

After 6 months of having the device, I thought I dodged this... but nope :( It developed a rather noticeable smudge in the center of the screen, 3cm tall by 1cm wide. When powering on the device it looks like a cloud is over the HTC logo.

With brightness set to full it is rather unnoticeable, but I don't want to drain my battery. On medium brightness it is certainly noticeable and annoying. It makes the screen look blurry like it's out of focus.

I'm using a replacement screen protector, made by HTC (I tried washing the one that came with the device, but it got constantly peeling over the sides, probably due to dust collected during the drying process).

I'll be sending the device back to the authorized dealer to get it fixed/replaced/whatever. The bad thing is that I'm not gonna have a phone for whatever long it takes them to fix it. Very dissapointing device this Touch: memory leaks, underpowered processor and now this. I feel stupid for not waiting to buy the Touch Dual or Touch Cruise :(

[Pheo]

I'm having problems with this, two smudges - looks like pressure damage to the LCD/Touch layer.

In addition, I now have a black mark on the screen (well actually several) where its got damaged somehow, again I think through pressure.

It seems to be getting these more and more & then they gradually disappear. I get the feeling there is a fault somewhere.

[matumartin14]

I have this thing on my screen too!
Is there any solutions to make it disappear.

[sonixpl]

SOLUTION FOUND

This 'smudges' are due to to high pressure on touch surface. Back of touch surface is covered by gloss paint, so when you push to hard it will crack and will peel after. Then you will see 'smudges' or even called as 'screen cancer'.

Only solution I found is to open Touch, use some polishing paste which remove gloss paint ( to rub off :D ), be careful about your screen. Just put your cover on table then start rubbing this off, it is tested. I've got 6 Touch phones, 5 of them suffer from 'smudges'. Just testes on one of those and it is working fine, no more smudges, paying enormous money for digitalizer or front covers.

BE LUCKY AND CAREFULL DOING THIS
you will succeed in that then....

[abhishek.vij]

^^ we would be really gald if you can make a thread and show step by step instructions for this :)

[sonixpl]

at this moment I'm w8ting for this scratch removing paste, but I must mension that you must remove all layer to take result, and never worry again about 'smudges' :D

[Aaron McCarthy]

I dont think there is much of anything that could be done. I went in today to my telus store and showed them the dark patch on the screen. They immediatly ordered me in a new phone (free) and said I'm not the first person with the problem so it seems to be a defect in the actual touch screens the they are using. I just hope it doesnt happen again! I dont know how many times I can bring the phone back :P

[ayyu3m]

SOLUTION FOUND

This 'smudges' are due to to high pressure on touch surface. Back of touch surface is covered by gloss paint, so when you push to hard it will crack and will peel after. Then you will see 'smudges' or even called as 'screen cancer'.

Only solution I found is to open Touch, use some polishing paste which remove gloss paint ( to rub off :D ), be careful about your screen. Just put your cover on table then start rubbing this off, it is tested. I've got 6 Touch phones, 5 of them suffer from 'smudges'. Just testes on one of those and it is working fine, no more smudges, paying enormous money for digitalizer or front covers.

BE LUCKY AND CAREFULL DOING THIS
you will succeed in that then....
i dont know what u have found and what you have tested. but taking apart ur screen and trying to rub of some gloss is highly risky and more likely damaging in the end. i rather have a smudge than a dead screen sooner or later. now perhaps many of you didnt see this thread below, so now u shud. since this is a problem directly on the image file of the smart mobility. for me this problem was solved when i flashed a new rom to my ELF. and this has been reported by another user as well.

read through this thread post # 33, 34, 35 and 40

http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=331100&page=4

as you can see, apart from me, 2 other users have also reported this improvement. but then again we also noticed a glitch in this updated ROM, and that is the auto start of active sync just out of no where.

so the point is: dont try any physical cleansing on ur screen or cover. you will either end up being very unlucky or in the end regret it.

[Aaron McCarthy]

The smudge on my screen would start off a light grey then get progressivly darker the more I used it through out the the day. I brought it in to the telus store where I had purchased it and they got me a new one in and just swapped the phone. the smudge in itself seemed to be not hardware based but a burn mark in the screen almost. It would make sense since it would get darker the more I used it.

I was told the phone had a 1 year warranty so I'm really hoping that I dont keep getting these problems. When I read that some of you are on your 5 or 6th phone.. That's a huge pain! So far no smudge issues with my new touch though!

[spencepu3]

Ive had an elfin for about a month now and I can gladly say that I have no smudge. The screen is crystal clear so be assured that htc has fixed the problem.

[providence]

I've read that updating the rom would remove these smudges? is it true?

[rony1234]

Folks, have been reading on this for sometime, I too have the same smudge on my HTC, has anyone got a replacement from HTC for this issue ? or do they just take the phone in for repairs ?

Thanks in advance

[bici64]

hi
i have a problem with a touch panel of my Elf
the touch panel not work
when make a hard reset the touch panel work for 2 hours
before is out
i make a change a touch panel or there is a solution ?
thank

[thedaddyy]

I also had the smudge for about 4 months of which i put up with cause i could not do without my Baby ELF.
4 weeks ago i could not here anything when making a call unless i switched to loud speaker or used my bluetooth headset,
And so i was forced to take my phone back to Orange......

Orange sent it back to the manufactures to repair it but they didnt fix it.
Orange instead gave me a Refurbished Elf 2 days ago.

I didnt complain as it is as new (better condition than my one)
and i now have another years warranty.......
what more could i want.

And to top it all it has the latest Rom and the screen sensitivity feels much better.....

[bici64]

hi
i have a problem with a touch panel of my Elf
the touch panel not work
when make a hard reset the touch panel work for 2 hours
before is out
i make a change a touch panel or there is a solution ?
thank
hi
i mount the Cesare66 win 6.1 ITA rom and the touch panel work very well
thank

[x86]

ihave had my htc touch since dec2007 and no smudge in the middle that i can see anyhow lol, my eyes r not the best.. i can see a few very very slight scratching, but my touch screen works brilliant.

[lcarrillo]

I had the same blur on mine, I carry it to the store i bought it, with the warranty they change me the screen (after two weeks) and was fine for 1 1/2 month and now i get the same blur.

[stehn]

I decided this kind of problem like this :http://4pda.ru/forum/index.php?showtopic=75937&st=4080 .

[erwinsie]

stehn, can u translate a bit to english ? thanks

[pheroah]

Hi All,

I have a confirmation from HTC that this is a known manufacturing defect; and they should swap the unit immediately for a new one. If the phone is a bit old they might try to repair it by changing the screen.

These are the only two solutions to this problem; and the store shouldnt BS you about anything else.

[erwinsie]

hi just like pheroah said, i can confirm that if you still under warranty, just send it back, they will change the LCD without question. mine is fixed from smudges now. thanks

[piper_indebt]

Hi Everybody, I have my touch for 6 months now, And I have noticed today that I also have that annoying smudge, mine is the same with alexandred's picture, almos 2Cm wide and 3 to 4 CM Long, My Touch is still under warranty I guess, so I will try to work on a replacement. Hope they would fix this or replace with new one. But I have to get my original rom back first I guess. :)
I didnt have this problem initially, Its only this month I've noticed this blur. I'm suspecting maybe i dropped my phone resulting to this blur, thats the only possible case that I could think of. But then again I might be wrong. will update you guys if my provider (m1 singapore) will do anything to my phone.

Update: Called up M1, they reffered me to HTC Care, So I went there, with my phone, the customer service right away said its not covered in the warranty, and she asked another customer service, different opinion, she said, "Its always like that What" and then they consulted ther technician, and they explained that the smudge/blur is caused by pressure, and that I have to pay some SGD 100 to replace the LCD. So, I got my phone back, just thought of having it replaced if its really gets worst.

BUt any of you guys who got their LCD blurred so bad while your phone is ON got any worst?

[ukiie]

hi all,
i recently tried to update my rom to the new onyx 5.2 , but running it on my pc through the active sync. It worked for a while then the phone just went off and its stuck on the windows mobility screen and doesn't seem to want to load the os ...what should i do

[fatboy11]

seems to be a common problem with the elf. it happened to me ad it seemed the layers of the digitiser had begun to seperate due to sudden temprature change. eventually it stopped responding to touch, fixed it temporaraly by spplying pressure in a freezer lol. have since replaced it with a chinese clone digitiser and its worked fine ever since