Xperia Z Ultra Defective Screen, DOA

fhsieh · Aug 4, 2013

I ordered an Xperia Z Ultra and received it in the mail yesterday. Unfortunately, the unit I received has a defective screen. When you press the power button, the screen backlight turns on but stays completely blank (black). Android is still running fine underneath -- pressing back/home/app softkeys gives haptic/audio feedback, pressing volume rocker gives volume up/down sounds, etc. However the screen stays completely blank and the device is unusable.

No matter how many times you press the power button, the screen still remains blank/black. The screen will only turn on correctly, randomly. On my unit, anywhere between 5 and 150 power button presses.

The screen also has a noticable yellow tinge.

Turning-off the phone first does not solve the problem. In fact, the screen is still blank when booting up (i.e.: the "Sony/Xperia" loading screen/boot animation).
Pressing the hard-off button next to the SIM card tray also does not solve the problem.
Pressing and holding Power+VolUp also does not solve the problem.
Factory-resetting via Settings also does not solve the problem.
Reflashing latest firmware from PC Companion or SUS also does not solve the problem. (Flashes correctly, but screen is still defective)

So just beware, for anyone getting a C6802. Either confirm in-person that you don't have a defective unit, or have your retailor confirm for you.

The unit I received:
- C6802 (3G-only), White
- Hong Kong, unbranded
- Manufature date: 13W29 (2013, Week 29)
- Firmware version: 14.1.B.0.471

Edit:
Other YouTubers similar/worse defect on their Xperia Z Ultra:

Andrewtst · Aug 4, 2013

Both video upload by same person, it is ridiculous having two units and both is defective.

Lucky me and my friend + at least 30 users (report at Malaysia lowyat forum), our units running perfectly fine and no issue with great panel display, not as above video look that terrible and full with problem.

cmclaughlan · Aug 5, 2013

Got my C6802 on Friday and love it!
No screen problems at all here.

Sent from my C6802 using xda app-developers app

gunblazer · Aug 5, 2013

cmclaughlan said:
Got my C6802 on Friday and love it!
No screen problems at all here.

Sent from my C6802 using xda app-developers app

Seconded.

fhsieh · Aug 5, 2013

Good to hear you haven't had any problems. Hopefully this is a limited issue that won't affect a lot of units.

Unfortunately the RMA process for me will take some time, and my retailor just ran out of stock, so looks like I'll be waiting for some time before I can get a replacement.

Lusterboi · Aug 5, 2013

Bought from a reputable seller?

Sent from my LT29i using Tapatalk 2

fhsieh · Aug 6, 2013

Lusterboi said:
Bought from a reputable seller?

Ordered from Expansys. As I'm in Japan, I ordered from their Japan division (based in Hong Kong), which is unfortunately under-staffed. Sadly, I'll have to pay additional shipping costs for the replacement, as well as paying import tax again for the replacement. Hopefully Expansys will be willing to help cover some of the extra cost, but so far I haven't heard back from them (because they're just under-staffed).

avenloh · Aug 6, 2013

I'm facing black last night. third day of purchase. after press hard rest button solved

Sent from my C6802 using xda app-developers app

fhsieh · Aug 6, 2013

avenloh said:
I'm facing black last night. third day of purchase. after press hard rest button solved

Did you have the same blank screen problem as in the video?

And can you explain the "hard reset button"?

I have tried soft-off (Power+VolUp, or OFF switch located next to SIM tray), software factory reset (Settings > Backup & Reset), and Sony PC Companion/Update Service (reflash factory firmware), and my device still has the same issue.

Thanks.

avenloh · Aug 6, 2013

fhsieh said:
Did you have the same blank screen problem as in the video?

And can you explain the "hard reset button"?

I have tried soft-off (Power+VolUp, or OFF switch located next to SIM tray), software factory reset (Settings > Backup & Reset), and Sony PC Companion/Update Service (reflash factory firmware), and my device still has the same issue.

Thanks.

mine is just blank. no line as second video. still can recieve call (using bluttoth). but nothing show. plug in chaarger also cannot charge. press the button beside sim card solved

aleekwen · Aug 6, 2013

I think this is a software issue (there may be multiple root causes/symptoms).

Today my display would not turn on, but the phone appeared to be working OK- audio etc.

I hooked it up to ADB and saw many messages about inability to turn the dislay on.

Did a adb reboot command and all is well.
Didn't know about the reset switch - I think that would have worked also.

So I believe the phone gets into a state where the display will not turn on (and requires a reboot). Adb reboot is not practical. A hard reset may be, but I need to carry a reset tool with me.

Had the Ultra since last Thursday (so 5 days and 1 occurence). Not sure on root cause (I have a Pebble watch and it's battery also drained at the same time and the Ultra was in a state where it was not charging properly).

Will see if it happens again.

Sent from my SGH-I467M using xda app-developers app

Andrewtst · Aug 6, 2013

aleekwen said:
I think this is a software issue (there may be multiple root causes/symptoms).

Today my display would not turn on, but the phone appeared to be working OK- audio etc.

I hooked it up to ADB and saw many messages about inability to turn the dislay on.

Did a adb reboot command and all is well.
Didn't know about the reset switch - I think that would have worked also.

So I believe the phone gets into a state where the display will not turn on (and requires a reboot). Adb reboot is not practical. A hard reset may be, but I need to carry a reset tool with me.

Had the Ultra since last Thursday (so 5 days and 1 occurence). Not sure on root cause (I have a Pebble watch and it's battery also drained at the same time and the Ultra was in a state where it was not charging properly).

Will see if it happens again.

Sent from my SGH-I467M using xda app-developers app

The phone auto restart when you take out your SIM card also.

aleekwen · Aug 6, 2013

Good to know - BTW taking out the SIM tray/card seems very difficult (at least for me) - any hints on how to do this quickly would be appreciated.

Thanks
Sent from my SGH-I467M using xda app-developers app

fhsieh · Aug 6, 2013

aleekwen said:
I think this is a software issue (there may be multiple root causes/symptoms).

Today my display would not turn on, but the phone appeared to be working OK- audio etc.

I hooked it up to ADB and saw many messages about inability to turn the dislay on.

Did a adb reboot command and all is well.
Didn't know about the reset switch - I think that would have worked also.

So I believe the phone gets into a state where the display will not turn on (and requires a reboot). Adb reboot is not practical. A hard reset may be, but I need to carry a reset tool with me.

Thanks for your input.

I think there are different problems that cause the same/similar symptom.

On my device, no matter if I reset (via Power+VolUp or reset button), or adb reboot, or factory reset, my screen still turns on blank, as I described in the first post. Even when turning on the phone, the Sony boot animation does not display -- only a blank screen.

FYI: You can also power-off the device by holding Power+VolUp until it vibrates 3 times (same as the reset switch next to the SIM tray).

Andrewtst · Aug 6, 2013

aleekwen said:
Good to know - BTW taking out the SIM tray/card seems very difficult (at least for me) - any hints on how to do this quickly would be appreciated.

Thanks
Sent from my SGH-I467M using xda app-developers app

Another correct way is press that red button near SIM card there.

fhsieh · Aug 6, 2013

Edited first post with a video of my device.

Rado_vr6 · Aug 7, 2013

Note: received the phone yesterday on the 6th, no screen issues were present. It's a white unit.

Had this randomly start happening to me today while my phone was plugged into my car radio. The phone was laid flat. I hooked the phone up to the PC and reinstalled the latest firmware again and it seemed to clear it. I didn't have the issue on the prior firmware, but who knows.

Edit: still randomly happening and I can't recreate the issue. Screen goes off or I turn the screen off and it may or may not come back up blank on the first press. Upon startup the phone displays properly, the Sony logo and animation are visible. It just randomly produces a black screen when turning the screen back on. I think this is a software issue for me as it didn't happen until today and isn't consistent.

Taco Jackson · Aug 8, 2013

I received my Xperia Z Ultra this morning from Negri Electronics, which was shipped direct from Hong Kong, and it has the/similar screen issue. If the phone powers off for any reason, either by way of power management timeout or by pressing the power button, then it's dead. For me, no illuminated black screen and no OS sounds, just dead. I can reset via volume up + power or the side reset switch but yeah...

For what it's worth, the phone arrived in a retail Xperia box but the retail box was not wrapped in any kind of cellophane. I just lifted the lid off to a phone. Is that normal for Hong Kong packaging or did someone decide to sell a known defect as new retail?

Rado_vr6 · Aug 8, 2013

Taco Jackson said:
I received my Xperia Z Ultra this morning from Negri Electronics, which was shipped direct from Hong Kong, and it has the/similar screen issue. If the phone powers off for any reason, either by way of power management timeout or by pressing the power button, then it's dead. For me, no illuminated black screen and no OS sounds, just dead. I can reset via volume up + power or the side reset switch but yeah...

For what it's worth, the phone arrived in a retail Xperia box but the retail box was not wrapped in any kind of cellophane. I just lifted the lid off to a phone. Is that normal for Hong Kong packaging or did someone decide to sell a known defect as new retail?

Mine arrived from a different retailer in the same condition. The phone itself and accessories were sealed of course.

Sent from my C6802 using xda app-developers app

Taco Jackson · Aug 8, 2013

Also, my version of the power off death is only when on battery. If the phone is charging, I can power it on and off no problem. Each time I do, I hear the audible power off click. However, if the phone is unplugged and running on battery, then most every time I power it off, I hear no audible click - just the screen goes black silently - and it's frozen/off. This is different than the original poster in that it seems his device is still running and the screen may be "on" but black. Mine, power off and it's completely dead until reset - but only on battery (regardless of battery level obviously). If its useful or relevant to anyone, I'm not using a sim at all. I have tried with a sim in, but it still exhibited the freeze behavior.

Xperia Z Ultra Defective Screen, DOA

Senior Member

Senior Member

Member

Senior Member

Senior Member

Senior Member

Senior Member

Member

Senior Member

Member

Senior Member

Senior Member

Senior Member

Senior Member

Senior Member

Senior Member

Senior Member

Member

Senior Member

Member

Similar threads

Top Liked Posts