Nexus 7 screen cracks easily

[wideasleep1]

Seems I'm one of the unlucky ones. On Friday morning I got in my car, pressed play on a podcast, placed my N7 in the pocket of the car door like I do every day, and drove 20 minutes to work. I pulled up at the office, pressed the power button and tried to turn the podcast off, but alas the screen wasn't responding. I had to look closely but I soon saw three fine cracks in the lower left corner. I haven't been able to use the tablet since as the screen doesn't work at all.

I called Google who put me onto ASUS (Australia) and the dunce on the end of the line told me there was no way I would be able to claim a cracked screen under warranty, to which I told him I hadn't dropped it or manhandled it any way, yet he assured me I wouldn't be able to claim it. He said to go home, get the serial number and call back, then I'd have to ship it to Sydney to get examined....

I then tried my hardest to crack the screen further - without inflicting any visible damage of course. I put it under a LOT more stress than it could have possibly received while sitting in the door pocket. I bent it against the desk, dropped it, twisted it and even put it back in the door pocket, banged down on it, and basically manhandled it as much as I could. Nothing. Not a single other crack. I couldn't damage it at all, which lead me to believe that it is faulty. Now that I look I see very slight screen separation on the left side, and after reading this forum it seems that may be the cause.

Anyway, I'm going to box it up, send it to ASUS and be the worst customer they can imagine until I get it repaired free of charge. Not at all happy.

Pic and video on my Google+ profile: plus.google.com / 105393083628412021020

You sure you didn't forget and slam the door shut with this in its pocket? That crack initiates just below the lip of the pocket, suggesting outward or downward (arm?) forces exerting right at the lip of the pocket. I'd suggest a case for your replacement...

---------- Post added at 08:51 PM ---------- Previous post was at 08:47 PM ----------

What?
Really screen cracks easily?

Woke up with Nex7 UNDERNEATH me(edit: I'm 6ft/240lbs)...have dropped it from waist high onto carpet, transferred it from 68 degree car to 100+ degrees outside....screen is perfect. I did remove the back and took out two screws, and removed a 1/2" piece of cushion tape I felt were exacerbating the 'screen lift' issue several weeks back, though. If they DID crack easily..mine should be toast.

 

[fernblatt]

Lucky so far, sort of...

When I received my Nexus 7, the first thing I did was pop off the back and snug the screws along the perimeter - just in case.

So far, so good on the glass, but not so lucky on the frame!! I had been using the Poetic brand "hard" case, the one that fits to the tab with fingers-of-sorts along the edges. I had always been extra careful with my N7, and it's never been dropped, but noticed yesterday a thin crack right in the middle of the left side of the frame.
Best I can figure it is from what little flexing happens when I un-do the two lefthand "fingers" of the case in order to prop my N7 on its side to watch videos.

Grrrrrrr. Treated the bugger like a baby so as not to break the glass, but ended up doing in the frame. Who'd have think it? lol

Has this happened to anyone else or is the glass the One Big Thing that folks are having trouble with?

Thanx!!

Tom

 

[jtrosky]

Hmm, from what I can remember reading, it was actually recommended to *loosen* the screws a bit, not *tighten* them (I could be wrong though).

Since the frame cracking is not a common issue (that I'm aware of) - is there any possibility that tightening those screws a little too much was the cause of this cracking?

If there weren't any notable issues when you got the device, why would you mess with the screws at all?? It's amazing to me that people do these sorts of things "just in case" with a brand new device that doesn't show any signs of a problem.

Sent from my ASUS Transformer Pad TF700T using Tapatalk 2

 

[Jutt69]

My N7 was thrown out of a third story window a couple of days ago. I was on one hell of a mission to destroy my liver and at the end of the session I thought that instead of carrying my bag down the stairs with me I'd chuck it down and pick it up later. I use a leather case with a screen flap, there was nothing else in my bag (a standard lightweight rucksack) and the bag hit concrete.

In the morning, after waking up in a pile of stinging nettles and half remembering the incident, I checked my tablet and to my surprise it was fine! I know I was lucky and next time I'm out on the piss the N7 stays at home.

Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda premium

 

[erica_renee]

My N7 was thrown out of a third story window a couple of days ago. I was on one hell of a mission to destroy my liver and at the end of the session I thought that instead of carrying my bag down the stairs with me I'd chuck it down and pick it up later. I use a leather case with a screen flap, there was nothing else in my bag (a standard lightweight rucksack) and the bag hit concrete.

In the morning, after waking up in a pile of stinging nettles and half remembering the incident, I checked my tablet and to my surprise it was fine! I know I was lucky and next time I'm out on the piss the N7 stays at home.

Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda premium

Hearing the story above and others like it.. Kinda proves the point. the screen cracking issue when the tablet is just laying still or barely handled is a QC issue .. My guess is misalignment when being assembled or trash/dirt getting in the adhesive causing friction on the glass. i know my issue was the second. as i held it in my hand i heard a crushing sound. then the screen caved in under the slight pressure of my thumb. leaving glass slivers in my thumb.. a Tempered piece of glass will not do this without prior damage .. The issue as i have been saying is not so much the device or glass in itself. its the lack of professionalism used to assemble it. maybe even time constraints in the process.. being rushed or dirty facility .
likely a combination of several factors
NO MORE DRINKING FOR YOU....without Adult supervision....

 

[JackClarke]

Mine cracked spectacularly from normal use. Holding in left hand, thumb the glass from left bezel and boom, cracked just from thumb pressure. I can't explain other than my N7 has screen lift issue where I hold it. In fact, the crack fractured in a semi circle from where my thumb would be holding it. I'm currently arguing with ASUS repair support on whether this crack is under warranty from manufacturing defect, the screen lift, or charged repair for customer damage which imo it shouldn't be.

Disaster, exact same problem. Not sure how the upcoming conversation with Asus is going to go though... :/

 

[erica_renee]

Disaster, exact same problem. Not sure how the upcoming conversation with Asus is going to go though... :/

I went thru google. I would try this if you can.. I think it all depends on where you bought it. and how long you have had it.. MINE WAS 30 Minutes out of the ups truck... less then 1 hour i called them to report it..

out of every story i have seen or read . out of all the images of cracked screens NONE of them not one is similar to mine.. I think it has nothing to do with the screen lift.. Maybe the guy putting the thing together bumped the screen on something assembling it.. or my theory is a spec of sharp dirt or metal shaving got on the adhesive..

GOOD Luck . be strong and assertive to them when you call . But be polite and respectful at the same time.IF that fails try the raving mad woman when the on sale shoes is NOW OUT OF STOCK.... Yea i resemble that remark.. NOT..

 

[cubordinate]

I have a similar story to JaSauders.

My Nexus was in my DSLR bag in the solid reinforced sectuib with my t-shirt and when I got home i was able to navigate through some menus and then it froze. It was then I realized that it actually had cracked from the top left to the bottom left in a semi circle (I am left handed and normally that is where my thumb would be).

After figuring out how to get a RMA from ASUS, I shipped it back Fedex.

When I was talking with the agent I told them the following facts:
- I believed that the damage was caused by a defect due to screen lift because it was not under any stress other than my own thumb.
- I have bought and recommended ASUS products in the past. The outcome will determine how I view ASUS in the future.
- Either way I would want this to be repaired, warranty or not.

So I shipped it on Monday and I have just received the RMA is shipping (Following Monday, Today). I have not been told that it has been covered but from JaSauders story of them issuing the shipment notice is seems it was covered.

Seems like a happy ending since I don't think I will have to pay 150-175 dollars to get it fixed.

JaSauders, let me know how yours turned out.

 

[JaSauders]

I have a similar story to JaSauders.

My Nexus was in my DSLR bag in the solid reinforced sectuib with my t-shirt and when I got home i was able to navigate through some menus and then it froze. It was then I realized that it actually had cracked from the top left to the bottom left in a semi circle (I am left handed and normally that is where my thumb would be).

After figuring out how to get a RMA from ASUS, I shipped it back Fedex.

When I was talking with the agent I told them the following facts:
- I believed that the damage was caused by a defect due to screen lift because it was not under any stress other than my own thumb.
- I have bought and recommended ASUS products in the past. The outcome will determine how I view ASUS in the future.
- Either way I would want this to be repaired, warranty or not.

So I shipped it on Monday and I have just received the RMA is shipping (Following Monday, Today). I have not been told that it has been covered but from JaSauders story of them issuing the shipment notice is seems it was covered.

Seems like a happy ending since I don't think I will have to pay 150-175 dollars to get it fixed.

JaSauders, let me know how yours turned out.

Long story short, mine turned out pretty well. I have no complaints, aside from the level of agitation I was under during the entire process. ASUS didn't ever really fight the issue once they had my tablet, though, which was a nice surprise.

I posted a thread entirely about my story and the outcome of this issue. Have a look if you have the time.

http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1891375

I'd like to further stress to you guys... if your screen cracked and you didn't drop it, do not take no for an answer. Let ASUS know you're aware of the left side screen lift that plagued some of these units. Let them know you've seen tear down guides of the internals. Let them know you're not some push over. Remind them continuously of what *exactly* happened. When I went over this with them, I never once came across as if I was in a negotiating mood. I was extremely firm while not being disrespectful. "ASUS will be fully responsible for the costs associated with repairing this item. Under absolutely no circumstances is it justified that the customer would have to cover these costs. ASUS will pay for it. That's the end of the story, or we will go through these motions thousands of times over again." <--- is pretty much exactly how I carried myself throughout the conversations. Calm, respectful, but firm.

Despite the headache, I'm just glad to have my tablet back. It's a solid unit with solid drop tests with an oddly fragile design flaw that plagued some of us N7 users out there. ASUS did pull through for me, so I have to give them some credit, even though the headaches I read about with other users is a bit disappointing. I can't say this has really changed my opinion of ASUS for the worse, though. But I'm also the kind of person where I almost don't care if an issue comes up, just so long as it's fixed. Every company has issues, even Apple's iPad has countless results on Google of unexplainable screen cracks. I've dealt with enough tech companies to see that no tech gadget is ever perfect... and nobody ships 100% of their devices problem free. So long as wrong's are right'd, I'll remain a happy camper.

Best of luck to anybody in this situation. Keep us all updated!

 

[Eubalaena]

Also have Poetic "hard" case and..cracked display

I had been using the Poetic brand "hard" case, the one that fits to the tab with fingers-of-sorts along the edges. I had always been extra careful with my N7, and it's never been dropped, but noticed yesterday a thin crack right in the middle of the left side of the frame.
Best I can figure it is from what little flexing happens when I un-do the two lefthand "fingers" of the case in order to prop my N7 on its side to watch videos.

Has this happened to anyone else or is the glass the One Big Thing that folks are having trouble with?

Tom

I also have the Poetic hard case, and have had the Nexus 7 in the case essentially the entire time I have owned it (bought when first available online), maybe unclipping the the left side clips 2-3 times only. This morning I went to use it and the next thing I knew there was a starburst crack > 1/2" in size startiing from the middle of the left edge of the tablet, where my left thumb goes when I am holding the tablet in my left hand.

The tablet has never been dropped that I remember and always is in a protected case. Quite bummed about it, and all the actions described earlier in this thread are not what I wanted to be spending my time and money pursuing.

(...and don't get me started about the total trainwreck of the Lenovo X! Carbon ultrabook rollout - a month after it was announced to be in stock Lenovo has still not given most early buryers an estimated shipdate! Lenovo going to the Guiness Book of Records for misinformation and both arbitrary and capricious on-line status reports, and unexplained cancellations.)

 

[ifalldownalot]

I honestly think the only reason anything was fixed was they got tired of you bitching.

it's not a "well explain it THIS way to them and make sure you tell them this".

it's more of someone at Asus or wherever being like "ugh. it's this guy again. Just give give him a new screen".

 

[erica_renee]

Partly true

I honestly think the only reason anything was fixed was they got tired of you bitching.

it's not a "well explain it THIS way to them and make sure you tell them this".

it's more of someone at Asus or wherever being like "ugh. it's this guy again. Just give give him a new screen".

Your statement in my opinion is Partly True..

They know there is a issue but are only taking care of the people who they feel has the ability to cause more publicity over this.They will in my Honest Opinion have to eventually stand up and do the right thing for this.Its similar other asus issues.. They only acknowledge a issue after its been spread all over the internet about them Producing yet another Faulty product.I myself still believe the issue is the lack of experience in assembly and a less then necessary environment for assembly.. Asus is know for light bleeding screen Dirt under screens screws missing inside devices and Just outright unnecessary number of returns .. Its all about lack of QUALITY CONTROL..

So please people keep the stories coming.. and WHEN YOU CALL ASUS Refer them back to this Thread and others alike. If you have been refused a repair under warranty . keep trying and get it documented if you pay them.. There is a good chance they will be forced to look into this..

Thanks for this post Lots of sound information you provided ..

 

[zmsudu]

I believe this is problem. Got mine while traveling through Dubai. Order it online, it was waiting for me in hotel. Unfortunately I was only one night there, and notice this following morning prior departure. It was too late to send it back. I can clearly here crackling sound. It doesn't feel nice, I'm afraid that it will be more and more noticeable. Box was in perfect condition and sealed. If I send it back, with remark that bezel is damaged, they can easily refuse it with remark that i did it my self. WHICH I DID N O T ! ! ! !

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 2

 

[Visa Declined]

Your statement in my opinion is Partly True..

They know there is a issue but are only taking care of the people who they feel has the ability to cause more publicity over this.They will in my Honest Opinion have to eventually stand up and do the right thing for this.Its similar other asus issues.. They only acknowledge a issue after its been spread all over the internet about them Producing yet another Faulty product.I myself still believe the issue is the lack of experience in assembly and a less then necessary environment for assembly.. Asus is know for light bleeding screen Dirt under screens screws missing inside devices and Just outright unnecessary number of returns .. Its all about lack of QUALITY CONTROL..

So please people keep the stories coming.. and WHEN YOU CALL ASUS Refer them back to this Thread and others alike. If you have been refused a repair under warranty . keep trying and get it documented if you pay them.. There is a good chance they will be forced to look into this..

Thanks for this post Lots of sound information you provided ..

There's a lot of speculation in this post.

 

[ifalldownalot]

There's a lot of speculation in this post.

100% agree with you.

and people don't understand why corporations are difficult to deal with? seems like the loudest people are always the least informed.

 

[MRsf27]

no one ever said that asus was good at cosmetics. However, you can't deny the hardware is amazing. Asus always makes good hardware (almost all my computer parts are asus). Either way, I have slight screen lift, but I don't think it's of any concern to me because there's no creaking and sponginess so I think I got myself a good quality device by Asus. never been disappointed by them yet :angel:

 

[DroidDioxide]

Yikes!

Sent from my MB870 using xda app-developers app

 

[Logic_]

I never said one out of 5 have Cracked screens. I Said its likely 20% or more that are having issues.. That can be from the people with battery troubles . People who are having screen lift issues people are having screen color issues . people are having the device just fail..AND so on .. NOW i know any new device will have some ISSUES from time to time.. It just to me seems alot more on this device then you would thank.

As far as me being Mad and dis gruntal about having the troubles. For me UPSET is a better choice word . My biggest gripe same as i see from most with issues. Is the turn around time to get a Replacement . I also agree that you will see more people post about issues then they do about a PERFECT Device.. But i think there are only a very few with issues even come to online forums. Most will GO Direct to google. Most do not go to a forum open a account Just to complain or look for others with defective devices. That is alot of work .work that will get you NO PLace as far as solving your warranty issue.

So to say only 1 out of 100 sold has issues is very Wrong.. This is not only my opinion . read forums and news sites. There is another thread about the new c90 version in taiwan . SAME ISSUE With screen shaking and loose/lifting issue..

anyway YOU LIKE MYSELF ARE individual people Each with our own right to opinion. Mine is from research and communications with others. Since your device is SO PERFECT WHY COME TO THIS THREAD.Paranoid are we?


Anyway take it how you want many people with perfect devices say there is a QC issue.

Thanks GOOGLE Another day waiting ..

There really is no reference for your 1/5 or my 1/100 claim. I wasn't being serious when I said 99% satisfied users, after all satisfaction is a personal preference and an issue only becomes an issue when you make it one. There'll be many people who wouldn't even notice a minor screen lift.
I think the actual number of devices with issues would be somewhere in between our estimates. But not nearly enough to say Asus has failed or anything.

 

[erica_renee]

Thanks everyone ..

There really is no reference for your 1/5 or my 1/100 claim. I wasn't being serious when I said 99% satisfied users, after all satisfaction is a personal preference and an issue only becomes an issue when you make it one. There'll be many people who wouldn't even notice a minor screen lift.
I think the actual number of devices with issues would be somewhere in between our estimates. But not nearly enough to say Asus has failed or anything.

I totally agree with you on this. I also thing even thou the screen lift issue is a flaw . I do not think having that justifies sending it back to get a replacement . If The screen is loose or spongy then it can and likely will become a issue. I also think that we probably will really not ever know who is right about how many devices are actually effected by issues then the ones that are perfect..
With the above said. I do honestly believe that some of these screens that are cracking is a flow in there assembly. For me i think its because of what i have said before. The glass is mishandled or assembled in a poorly maintained facility and getting trash of some kind in the adhesive or under screen . Yes its only my opinion..

As far as those who say lots of speculation . well that is also partly true.. But what do you consider proof.. To me proof lies in the fallowing concerning this issue. Read all the threads and post. Read the tech sites and Watch the you tube videos.. Just because a company has not released a statement saying there is a issue. Just because you do not have the issue with your device . Does not mean there is not a problem..
The proof is in all the stories and screen shots of cracked screens with no other damage on the device..
Yes i do agree that a percent of the devices with cracked screens are likely from misuse . How many is very hard to determine. Out of all the stories i have only seen two with a similar story as mine. But looking at some of the images posted here and on other forums and you tube.Shows some devices that the screen crushed not just cracked.. If you know about tempered glass this should NOT HAPPEN. its designed to protect your fingers from glass shares as those left in my finger.
Anyway we can beat this subject until we are all blue in the face and have no keys left on our keyboard.. If your device is perfect and you have no issues at all Then that is awesome and great.. STOP ACTING AS IF EVERYONE is just complaining to be complaining .What does one get out of doing so... Nothing absolutely nothing.

This thread was created by someone to let others know there is hope with dealing with ASUS . And to warn others if your device has a loose screen SEND IT BACK. RIGHT NOW. do not wait until it cracks because its likely to do so ...

Thanks everyone for getting involved in this thread.. Just please keep your sarcasm to yourself . post useful information or none . Thank you
ONE MORE THING .even if you disbelieve the post in this thread. post your proof that peoples devices are not just breaking.
I agree totally that if someone breaks there device by dropping it or misuse they should not try to get it replaced by being dishonest.. it only hurts everyone in the long run..

 

[Eubalaena]

Could the Poetic Hardback Case make the display more vulnerable?

I also have the Poetic hard case, and have had the Nexus 7 in the case essentially the entire time....

The cracking of my display seems the same as JackClarke's and Tennoh's -- on the left edge where my thumb was resting while I was holding the tablet.

The fracturing is a series of semi-circles from the left edge at the bezel about 1/2" wide with the glass shattered into dozens of pieces. Streaming out from that are three long cracks that lead to....the places where the padded hooks of the Poetic case grab the tablet on the upper and lower edges.(http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/images/B008IEGS9W/ref=dp_image_z_0?ie=UTF8&n=541966&s=pc)

My non-engineering impression is that the glass is hypersensitive to flexing -- relatively small amounts of flex, repeated several times weaken the structural strength of the glass resulting in a minor pressure at the "wrong" place shattering the display. My question is whether a case such as the Poetic case with its six padded hooks focuses the stress of minor flexing in local areas magnifying it? (Would I be better off with a case that does not use hooks, like the (much bulkier and less comfortable to hold) I-Blason Leather case (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B008GFVF3M/ref=oh_details_o04_s00_i00) that envelopes the tablet without clips. My issues with the I-Blason is that it bulks up the tablet so much that it makes it unfeasible to put in your pant pockets.