Sony Xperia Z3 / Z3 Compact - Glass Survey

[cschmitt]

I've put together a Google forms survey to collect some objective breakage data: Sony Xperia Z3 / Z3 Compact - Glass Survey

Please take some time to complete the survey one time whether you've experienced a breakage or not, it's important to have a complete set of data. You will be able to view the survey results after submitting the form.

Please take the survey a 2nd time ONLY if you have previously completed it to report no damage but now have a damaged screen or back glass and wish to report it. Make sure to properly check Question 2 to indicate a re-take.

Direct link to results summary, just in case you want to check back later: Sony Xperia Z3 / Z3 Compact - Glass Survey Responses

Direct link to results spreadsheet: Sony Xperia Z3 / Z3 Compact - Glass Survey Responses (Spreadsheet)

 

[degraaff]

I've put together a Google forms survey to collect some objective breakage data: Sony Xperia Z3 / Z3 Compact - Glass Survey

Please take some time to complete the survey one time whether you've experienced a breakage or not, it's important to have a complete set of data. You will be able to view the survey results after submitting the form.


Direct link to results summary, just in case you want to check back later: Sony Xperia Z3 / Z3 Compact - Glass Survey Responses

Just filled it in.
Though it would've been useful to include some additional questions, such as the manufacturing week and year, and the part of the serial number that indicates the manufacturing batch.

 

[cschmitt]

Though it would've been useful to include some additional questions, such as the manufacturing week and year, and the part of the serial number that indicates the manufacturing batch..

Do you know the exact details on how to determine week/year/batch from S/N? I can add those questions, but I don't want to collect S/N's outright.

 

[degraaff]

Do you know the exact details on how to determine week/year/batch from S/N? I can add those questions, but I don't want to collect S/N's outright.

Behind the SIM flap is a plastic information sheet that can be pulled out. The production week and year, for example, are indicated by something like "14W38" (that's what's on mine) which means that my unit was manufactured in the 38th week of 2014. I'm not sure about the serial number though. I just looked and there's no immediate "S/N" indication. However there is a big number after the "CE" sign, for me it says "CE 0682". Maybe that is the number of the production batch?

 

[cschmitt]

Behind the SIM flap ...

Added year / week and your description of how to find it on info sheet. Reminds me of busting open a fortune cookie.

 

[degraaff]

Reminds me of busting open a fortune cookie.

Yes it kind of does feel like that.

 

[phroenix]

My two cents

Very informative, thank you.
Just know, if you go looking for something, you can find it.
This phone is still new, so for anyone thinking of getting it, don't let the mass post on glass cracks and drm / camera conversation put you off. This phone is big in the game.
At the time of posting, its a resounding majority "No" to broken glass (small sample)

 

[cschmitt]

One day into the survey and we have 51 responses. I find the most interesting data to be that 65% do not use a screen protector and 73% do not use a case.

 

[Dsteppa]

One day into the survey and we have 51 responses. I find the most interesting data to be that 65% do not use a screen protector and 73% do not use a case.

Confirmed! Sony Xperia Z3C users aren't the smartest around! :silly:
What's the percentage of cracked screens?

 

[cschmitt]

What's the percentage of cracked screens?

The sample size is still small, but 6% for front glass, 9% for back glass.

There is one response where both front and back glass cracked.

In all cases no screen protector or case was in use, with the exception of one cracked back glass while using a TPU case.

There's a link to results in the OP.

It would be nice to get several hundred responses for a more accurate picture.

 

[Dsteppa]

It would be nice to get several hundred responses for a more accurate picture.

Oh yeah, I know don't worry. Just wanted to know the percentage we're at now

 

[Iruwen]

Percentages are pretty much useless here because naturally, mainly people with issues come and participate here in the first place. Only Sony or some kind of independent media could give a clue on those percentages.

 

[jasestu]

It would be nice to get several hundred responses for a more accurate picture.

But even then there will be a selection bias - people with glass issues are more likely to find this thread than people who are perfectly happy.

 

[cschmitt]

But even then there will be a selection bias - people with glass issues are more likely to find this thread than people who are perfectly happy.

Exactly.

Edit: but even if only those with glass issues report at least that does give some idea of the number of users affected.

 

[degraaff]

On the Sony Mobile support forum, there is a post from a person whose Z3C's glass cracked while the phone was laying on a table and playing music. Since I did notice that especially the rear glass vibrates very heavily at higher volumes, I'm wondering if those vibrations could induce cracking in some cases?

 

[Nplus1]

How could you think that simply the vibrations generated by the (however minuscule) speakers could crack a sheet of glass, let alone Gorilla/Dragontrail glass? Just check some stress tests to see what kind of forces these types of glass can withstand.
The same strange reports about glass cracking on its own appeared for the LG Optimus G and LG Nexus 4 right after launch and then nothing.

 

[degraaff]

How could you think that simply the vibrations generated by the (however minuscule) speakers could crack a sheet of glass, let alone Gorilla/Dragontrail glass? Just check some stress tests to see what kind of forces these types of glass can withstand.
The same strange reports about glass cracking on its own appeared for the LG Optimus G and LG Nexus 4 right after launch and then nothing.

The rear is not Gorilla Glass nor Dragontrail.
The glass sheets in said stress test videos are usually much thicker than those used on phones.
Strong vibrations can cause a sheet of glass to crack, especially if the glass has a production fault.

 

[Nplus1]

The rear is not Gorilla Glass nor Dragontrail.

What kind of glass do they put on the back, then?

The glass sheets in said stress test videos are usually much thicker than those used on phones.
Strong vibrations can cause a sheet of glass to crack, especially if the glass has a production fault.

The vibrations generated by the very small speakers are not exactly what I would call "strong", much less glass-cracking strong!

 

[degraaff]

What kind of glass do they put on the back, then?

The vibrations generated by the very small speakers are not exactly what I would call "strong", much less glass-cracking strong!

http://talk.sonymobile.com/t5/Xperi...ss-is-on-Xperia-Z3-Compact/m-p/838791#U838791
There is no doubt that the rear uses different glass than the front, since the rear is way more prone to scratching than the front.

The vibrations at high volume are pretty strong in this phone, don't forget you've got two of those speakers. In case of (like I said) faulty glass, they may even be harmful to the glass.

 

[gman90]

dropped z3c on cement and.....

.....no damage. I watched my 1 day old z3c slide off a laundry pile in my basement onto the cement floor (about 5 foot drop) and no cracks or noticable damage.

However, i just took my xperia z2 out of its protective case to sell it and noticed a crack all the way across the back glass. Ive never dropped that phone and its always been in a high quality case. Im thinking the z2 may uave cracked trying to pry it out of the protective case (which fit very tight).

Just my two cents.