Database Info

Broken Screen. What now?

So the unthinkable happened this morning when I woke up. My phone fell from my lap and the screen cracked in four different places. The digitizer is shot, as i can't get any touch responses. Samsung really screwed us over with making it the way it is made. I am not sure if I should get it replaced, apparently I have to pay 100 bucks to do so. By the way, I think this is the most cracked android phone out there. So it now can be said it competes with the iphone on all levels. Great f'ing job Samsung. Terrible idea to use Gorilla Glass II and make it so thin that it break falling out of bed (which is about a 2.5 ft fall). Hell, I had the stupid case with the flip cover which didnt do jack.
Anyways, what do you think my options are?

1. Pay repair fee
2. Get a used phone from swappa or ebay
3. Do nothing and have no phone.
4. use an old phone while you decide.
If it was me, I'd repair the screen and then either get a decent case (flip case is probably worse than no case since it offers basically no protection but gives a false sense of security) or sell the phone for something more sturdy if you are prone to accidents.
The phone can be sturdy if you put a decent case on it. Ive dropped my phone twice from about 5-6 feet. Once on to concrete and once on a wooden deck. My case absorbed the impact nicely both times and I have 0 damage.

I would honestly just pay the $100 for the insurance if you have it. I had to use mine because my screen cracked and they send me a brand new GS3 including the battery, charger, and headphones. It's not worth trying to fix since you can get a new one.

I bought insurance through Verizon because these things do happen. You may want to consider it as it covers theft, lost, damages etc out of the first year...
Sent from my SCH-I535 using xda app-developers app

i dropped mine from 5 feet and my five year old stepped right on it. no damage, otterbox defender

My horrible S4 experience

First of all, let me say that I really like the S4. I sold my iPhone 5 and be able to buy it at full price when it was released. I like the size, it's just about perfect size for me, fits well in my hand. The air gestures and air views are pretty nice, they come in handy. Coming from an iPhone, having a replaceable battery is priceless, I liked being able to swap out my low battery with a full charged one.
My first S4 broke while in my pocket on 5/6, I wasn't doing anything out of the ordinary, was just doing things around the house, when I pulled it from my pocket there was a crack from the upper right corner down the middle of the left side. The AMOLED display under the glass is what broke, device was unusable, nothing showed on the screen except some colors on top left above the crack.
After fighting with AT&T and Asurion the entire next day, AT&T agreed to give me an early upgrade. So I bought a new one on 5/7.
I received my new S4 on 5/10, then this morning, 5/15, while at work I was squatted down, texting, and dropped it from around knee level on carpet with padding over concrete and it cracked the AMOLED display, this time in the upper right corner, with 4 cracks from the side to about an inch into the display.
This S4 had a Spigen Ultra Thin Air case on it, as well as Spigen's Glas.t Slim screen protector.
I don't expect manufacturers to make phones that are indestructible, but this seems ridiculous to me.
I was a long time Apple user before I bought the S4, I don't think I will ever go back, but I'm regretting going with Samsung now. I've spent over $900 between both devices and now they are both in the mail (as well as almost $200 in accessories that are worthless now), for Samsung to evaluate, so for the next two weeks I'm stuck with using an old S2 that likes to reboot every 15 minutes.
I've read a few posts on here about people breaking the screen under the glass like I did. So I'd be careful if you own one.

Ryanmp said:
First of all, let me say that I really like the S4. I sold my iPhone 5 and be able to buy it at full price when it was released. I like the size, it's just about perfect size for me, fits well in my hand. The air gestures and air views are pretty nice, they come in handy. Coming from an iPhone, having a replaceable battery is priceless, I liked being able to swap out my low battery with a full charged one.
My first S4 broke while in my pocket on 5/6, I wasn't doing anything out of the ordinary, was just doing things around the house, when I pulled it from my pocket there was a crack from the upper right corner down the middle of the left side. The AMOLED display under the glass is what broke, device was unusable, nothing showed on the screen except some colors on top left above the crack.
After fighting with AT&T and Asurion the entire next day, AT&T agreed to give me an early upgrade. So I bought a new one on 5/7.
I received my new S4 on 5/10, then this morning, 5/15, while at work I was squatted down, texting, and dropped it from around knee level on carpet with padding over concrete and it cracked the AMOLED display, this time in the upper right corner, with 4 cracks from the side to about an inch into the display.
This S4 had a Spigen Ultra Thin Air case on it, as well as Spigen's Glas.t Slim screen protector.
I don't expect manufacturers to make phones that are indestructible, but this seems ridiculous to me.
I was a long time Apple user before I bought the S4, I don't think I will ever go back, but I'm regretting going with Samsung now. I've spent over $900 between both devices and now they are both in the mail (as well as almost $200 in accessories that are worthless now), for Samsung to evaluate, so for the next two weeks I'm stuck with using an old S2 that likes to reboot every 15 minutes.
I've read a few posts on here about people breaking the screen under the glass like I did. So I'd be careful if you own one.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That sucks dude. But hey, a little advice...fix that S2! If it's rebooting like that, there's something wrong. There are several super-stable Jelly Bean roms available for flashing these days. I come from that world, so I know it like the back of my hand...PM me if you'd like me to help you make your S2 awesome.

Before anyone says this isnt a necessary thread, I think it is.
Having a 32GB and having spent money on my device and screen protector and cases I'd like to know this too, so I would love to hear from anyone else that has broken their device easily

Damn that sucks OP. I think you have bad luck with the S4, I remember when you mentioned the S4 screen cracking while it was in your pocket. I would get another phone if I were you.

I have a really hard time "feeling sorry" for people who drop and break their phones and complain.
I don't know what kind of response (pity?) that you want from people.
Drop the iphone 4 in just the right spot and it'll crack too. Every phone is the same more or less.
Don't want a broken phone? Don't drop it. You break it that way, the fault is no ones but yourself.

Felixpau86 said:
I have a really hard time "feeling sorry" for people who drop and break their phones and complain.
I don't know what kind of response (pity?) that you want from people.
Drop the iphone 4 in just the right spot and it'll crack too. Every phone is the same more or less.
Don't want a broken phone? Don't drop it. You break it that way, the fault is no ones but yourself.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's kinda of an ignorant comment, the OP had his screen cracked and it was just in his pocket so no drop at all. The second time it was a drop but it is his experience and I understand it especially when you purchase a device this expensive twice. Don't be rude man.

His story for breaking in his pocket was "while around the house". So whats to say he didn't accidentally smash it again something while doing housework or anything else like a table?
Dropping your phone - what do you expect? Go buy a Nokia if you plan on dropping it. Even then im sure drop proof isn't part of any phone's warranty.
Pretty straight forward. You may not like my "tone" but you can't honestly count it against the phone if you're not keeping it safe. The error is human in this case. Own up to it and take better care of your phone.
I've cracked iphones and android screens and bodies before, it was probably my fault in handling it; but you definitely won't see me running to a forum and complaining about the manufacturer having shoddy quality when it was clearly human error.

I'm starting to wonder if maybe it's the Chinese models in specific breaking like that because I have seen multiple S4's dropped now WITHOUT ANY CASE from 6 feet and survive with only scrapes to the actual frame and here you have a case AND a glass screen protector, and it falls from half the height and suffers catastrophically.
Has to be something more going on here. Reviews will also show the phone can survive falls just like any other premium metal phone and then some, so quite an odd case here
ALSO to everyone else, stop hating on the OP. Yea I have to agree it's just really vague to say your phone was just up and broken, but I'm willing to look at it as the OP is telling the truth cause at worst, even if he is lying, it really don't matter.

No offense OP, but I'm going to call bull**** here. You have to be leaving out something -- even if it's by accident. I've had smartphones with larger screens for 5+ years now, and not once have i cracked or broken a phone. The last phone that broke was the first nokia clamshell that came out -- and that was after i dropped it from standing on to a concrete floor. Even then it worked still, the plastic just cracked a bit.
There is no way you broke your phone just having it in your pocket -- unless you were wearing super tight hipster jeans with your keys in your pocket. Futhermore, dropping your phone 2 feet on to a padded floor, won't just break your phone either....it just wont.
I've dropped my s3/s4 many times on to my wood floor now without any issues (without a case).
Also, wouldn't your phone be under the 14 day return policy anyway? If anything happens in those 14 days, you get a new one?
Overall, this just doesn't make sense. I think you are omitting some key details here; these phones ARE NOT that fragile.
EDIT-- How did you figure $900 dollars between two phones plus $200 in accessories?
A new line/renewal should be about $200-250 per phone; cases run $30-35, USBs 5-10, screen protector 7-15....

You should have gotten insurance.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using xda app-developers app

I'm not asking for anything, I'm just putting this info out here.
In my experience, the S4 is easily broken.
And it's not glass that broke in both of mine, it was the display under the glass, the device was not usuable after. The glass was pristine on both, for that matter the both phones were as well, just the display cracked.
You can do what you want with the info, I'm just letting people know what happened with my 2 devices.

When you keep you phone in your pocket, make sure you always keep the screen against your leg. I broke my first Galaxy S2 with the screen out in my pocket when I leaned against a table.

I am shocked that the 2nd time with having a GLAS.t tempered glass that it broke.

You spend this kind of money on phone...treat it like your car....GENTLE. I have had a smartphone for years and not even 1 scratch on any phone I have ever owned. It is like your girlfriend or wife...Gently...
Very expensive way to learn.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using xda premium

Let's be realistic. It's no secret this phone is easily broken. And tbh, when you say something like "it's all your fault because you dropped it is a bit ridiculous. I've dropped my gs2 more times than I can count, face down, from up high, sliding across concrete etc, and the screen is still fine, but the build quality on the gs4 is seriously lacking. I'm scared to even buy one after hearing all these stories. For now I'm sticking to my gs2
Sent from my SGH-i777 using Tapatalk 2

artvandalay22222 said:
Let's be realistic. It's no secret this phone is easily broken. And tbh, when you say something like "it's all your fault because you dropped it is a bit ridiculous. I've dropped my gs2 more times than I can count, face down, from up high, sliding across concrete etc, and the screen is still fine, but the build quality on the gs4 is seriously lacking. I'm scared to even buy one after hearing all these stories. For now I'm sticking to my gs2
Sent from my SGH-i777 using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How can you say the build quality is lacking if you don't even have one?
Just to be safe, think of it this way, if you drop it, it WILL crack. Of course, it might not but if you think it will every time, maybe a little more precaution will be taken. It doesn't matter if it was a mistake...just don't drop it. Any phone that is mostly screen will always have a certain level of fragility and should always be treated that way. It doesn't mean the build quality is bad.

TheAxman said:
You spend this kind of money on phone...treat it like your car....GENTLE. I have had a smartphone for years and not even 1 scratch on any phone I have ever owned. It is like your girlfriend or wife...Gently...
Very expensive way to learn.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Or like telling your wife about your girlfriend... handle it very carefully... like your life depends on it.

Samsung does extensive hard use testing on its handsets so I wonder if this was a bad batch or something. Thanks for sharing your experience. Hopefully we don't see a bunch of these threads popping up.
Sent from my HTC One X using xda app-developers app

Ya my S4 broke too, dropped mine 2 or 3 feet in a case and the screen shattered, build quality is not there imo
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337

well... i was just thinking about investing in a good case.. but now, i think i will buy insurance instead.. or maybe just sell it off.. really cant afford to loose an expensive phone like this.
thanks for the info.

Galaxy S4 Active dropped on concrete - how rugged is it? (pics)

Well, I dropped my Samsung Galaxy S4 Active onto a concrete sidewalk. I am not as careful as I should be since I would drop my SII without worry since I had the Ballistics case on it. My new Active had no case. It fell directly on a corner, and of course missed the hardened rubber/plastic part and hit the outer metal shell directly. It knocked a snap out of the bottom right corner opposite the impact point. I took the case off and installed it again and everything snapped in normally.
My screen is fine and everything works normally. Aside from asthetics, nothing is different than before the drop. I have read about some regular S4 screens breaking from far less. Maybe there is something to the "rugged" nature of the active.
Anyways, a picture is worth a thousand words so here are four pics. My first time uploading pics here so hopefully they turn out ok.

Ouch! My sincerest condolences.

I would be terrified while picking it up..

Any 5 inch touchscreen device shouldn't ever be considered rugged haha
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I727 using xda premium

I wouldnt try it
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using Tapatalk 2

Sand out the part? lol.

I dropped mine today too, which is weird because I never drop my phone. I have a scuff mark on the metal outer shell like you. Pretty disappointed it scratched so easily.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I537 using xda app-developers app

It's not a rugged phone ladies... It's the same as an s4 just water and dirt proof.
You drop it and it will break just as easy as a regular s4.

Ouch!
Ouch that sucks! Yeah I just got my Active today and I need to get a case and screen protector ASAP.
I didn't think this phone would be drop proof. It was advertised as waterproof/dustproof.
At least the screen is not cracked.

Ouch! At least a case will cover the damage and the screen is not cracked. One of the reasons I returned mine. It is a bit slippery. The ATT manager asked why I was returning it and I said no cases, no support and he scoffed at me. I then asked him when is the last time a Galaxy Device was launched and cases were not available on that day at the store? Even my captive had a case at ATT the day I bought it...It has been over a week and you can't even get an overpriced cases from ATT? No thanks.

planoman said:
Ouch! At least a case will cover the damage and the screen is not cracked. One of the reasons I returned mine. It is a bit slippery. The ATT manager asked why I was returning it and I said no cases, no support and he scoffed at me. I then asked him when is the last time a Galaxy Device was launched and cases were not available on that day at the store? Even my captive had a case at ATT the day I bought it...It has been over a week and you can't even get an overpriced cases from ATT? No thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That is what I was thinking. With a case it won't even show. I did buy the Best Buy protection so supposedly I can get unlimited exchanges but still...
I know it wasn't made with drop protection, but it did hold up pretty well. If a case ever comes out I will have no worries at all.

I dropped my s4 in a puddle 2 days ago fully submerged and my heart sunk. Ripped it sort let it dry. Used some alcohol to get water out and it works fine. Not an active though.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using xda premium

Slade8525 said:
people will do amazing things to get what they want. that said, perhaps food ought to be prioritized over cell phones/random crap you want. how did you break 3 s4's? you must have the worst case of butterfingers ever. i usually buy mine off contract or unlocked, but i have yet to accidentally destroy any cell phone. not everyone has the money to shell out for new stuff whenever they need it.
fortunately i dont have to worry about money, ever, but i still take very good care of whatever i have, and i have learned not to lend things out or let people use my stuff (especially drunk friends and cell phones or idiot friends and new sports cars).
seriously, how did you manage to break 3 already? i know one guy who drops his iphone about once a week.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sounds like the case of "I haz monies." Paying full price 3 times sucks really really bad. I would hope you mean breaking the original, then breaking it at repair, and one more for good measure. Still, that's just crazy butterfingers, but I digress.
Op, I seriously doubt "rugged" means unchipable, or even blemish proof. If phone meets concrete from even three feet and the right angle, you'll either chip, dent, or scratch. In thing to be happy about is the glass or screen shattering. I'll take dents and chips over exploding screens any day. Still, not having cases for it is highly questionable. You'd think even Sammy would release a case, just to collect more money.
Sent from my Galaxy S4 on Tapatalk 2

I cannot believe how ****ty the active is, this phone slipped out of my pocket and fell from about 10 inches up the day I bought it. The screen cracked in two places. Upper right corner and right below the back button.
However, I called at&t and they sent me a regular s4 free of charge and let me keep the mildly broken active. Never charged me or anything. If only I could find a replacement screen.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using xda app-developers app

Never mind

Incarnate609 said:
I cannot believe how ****ty the active is, this phone slipped out of my pocket and fell from about 10 inches up the day I bought it. The screen cracked in two places. Upper right corner and right below the back button.
However, I called at&t and they sent me a regular s4 free of charge and let me keep the mildly broken active. Never charged me or anything. If only I could find a replacement screen.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
At this point, Samsung may be able to replace it cheaper than buying parts. Of course it's on the assumption you want it fixed today.
Sent from my Galaxy S4 on Tapatalk 2

mattpayne92 said:
I dropped mine today too, which is weird because I never drop my phone. I have a scuff mark on the metal outer shell like you. Pretty disappointed it scratched so easily.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I537 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
haha you dropped it and expecting not to have scratches? screen on my note 2 shattered when i dropped it on the first day i bought it

Fastnova007 said:
It's not a rugged phone ladies...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't understand why people who purchase this phone seem to think it is shock proof, drop proof and crush proof. It's marketed as being waterproof and dustproof.
sgtmcfunky said:
Ouch that sucks! Yeah I just got my Active today and I need to get a case and screen protector ASAP.
I didn't think this phone would be drop proof. It was advertised as waterproof/dustproof.
At least the screen is not cracked.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Precisely.
planoman said:
Ouch! At least a case will cover the damage and the screen is not cracked. One of the reasons I returned mine. It is a bit slippery. The ATT manager asked why I was returning it and I said no cases, no support and he scoffed at me. I then asked him when is the last time a Galaxy Device was launched and cases were not available on that day at the store? Even my captive had a case at ATT the day I bought it...It has been over a week and you can't even get an overpriced cases from ATT? No thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Have you seen the long list of accessories here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2331133
dajabec said:
Well, I dropped my Samsung Galaxy S4 Active onto a concrete sidewalk. I am not as careful as I should be since I would drop my SII without worry since I had the Ballistics case on it. My new Active had no case. It fell directly on a corner, and of course missed the hardened rubber/plastic part and hit the outer metal shell directly. It knocked a snap out of the bottom right corner opposite the impact point. I took the case off and installed it again and everything snapped in normally.
My screen is fine and everything works normally. Aside from asthetics, nothing is different than before the drop. I have read about some regular S4 screens breaking from far less. Maybe there is something to the "rugged" nature of the active.
Anyways, a picture is worth a thousand words so here are four pics. My first time uploading pics here so hopefully they turn out ok.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Glad to see your phone survived. I'm still going to wait for my case to come in the mail though.
dajabec said:
That is what I was thinking. With a case it won't even show. I did buy the Best Buy protection so supposedly I can get unlimited exchanges but still...I know it wasn't made with drop protection, but it did hold up pretty well. If a case ever comes out I will have no worries at all.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I wish it had drop protection. But a case should fix that. I'm just thrilled about it being waterproof.
Incarnate609 said:
I cannot believe how ****ty the active is, this phone slipped out of my pocket and fell from about 10 inches up the day I bought it. The screen cracked in two places. Upper right corner and right below the back button. However, I called at&t and they sent me a regular s4 free of charge and let me keep the mildly broken active. Never charged me or anything. If only I could find a replacement screen.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
One of the reasons I got rid of my old S4 was because people were having the screen crack while in their pocket with no trauma. I haven't heard any such reports on the Active just yet. Honestly, the one time I cracked a screen it was on my Note 1 and it was a drop of similar height and I had a Trident case on it. It sucks, but I can't see blaming an electronic device when I'm the one dropping it.

Obex waterproof case now available for preporder

So I just preordered mine but it is available in four different colors, comes with a headset adapter and if you want for $10 more you can get a holster with a total of $89.95. Also looks like they're shipping on the 19th.
http://www.seidioonline.com/Samsung-Galaxy-S4-s/8824.htm
Posted from a Galaxy S4 it was.

I will post a review once I get it.
Posted from a Galaxy S4 it was.

oxidant11 said:
I will post a review once I get it.
Posted from a Galaxy S4 it was.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Can't wait to read your honest review. The s3 wasn't all that great from the reviews. Hope they made the s4 one better
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using xda app-developers app

I ordered one as well. If it works as advertised, it will make the S4 better than the S4 Active in the "everything proof" category. I will post my opinion also after I get a chance to use it for a while.

Im ordering one when I get paid friday
Sent from my Bonestock S4

Code TW10 for 10% discount I ordered mine. Only black with red is for pre order, the other colors say coming soon
sent from my jelly bean infused note 10.1

asked this in the other thread before I saw this new one:
Nice.. but $80?
It's two pieces of plastic.
Does that include some sort of insurance if the two pieces of plastic fail?

Yeesh I just got my hybrid today ugh
Sent from my SGH-M919 using Tapatalk 4

joeybear23 said:
asked this in the other thread before I saw this new one:
Nice.. but $80?
It's two pieces of plastic.
Does that include some sort of insurance if the two pieces of plastic fail?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Two pieces of plastic and all the waterproof membranes. You're paying for the R&D as well as the quality nof a name brand. It's cheaper than the otterbox armor cases go for as well as lifeproof cases. If it's too much buy a cheap one from ebay and after you submerge it in water and your phone is garbage buy a more expensive case for your new phone.
sent from my jelly bean infused note 10.1

joeybear23 said:
asked this in the other thread before I saw this new one:
Nice.. but $80?
It's two pieces of plastic.
Does that include some sort of insurance if the two pieces of plastic fail?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you have a couple of days to read this, here is my thoughts (LOL)...
Well, you are correct there is never a 100% guarantee, even if 99% of the units work great 1% might have problems. It reminds me of the S4 Active. The difference is that $90 for this case is a lot cheaper than taking the same gamble for a $600 phone. At least that is the way I look at it.
I'm just looking to use the case as a "what if" type of protection. Hopefully, it will be a lot better than that. I hope it will be good enough to take into the water and take pictures with or drop the phone from chest-pocket high and not have a scratch, but I'm not going to expect it to be that good until I test it to that point...slowly. The case's rating is better than the rating of the S4 Active, but that is only as good as the smallest defect might let it be.
I have square trade insurance, but I would rather not use it. I don't want to take the chance of getting a phone with MF3 as a replacement or even having to re-setup a phone that has MDL. To me, the $90 is worth the extra protection. So even if it doesn't stand up to the ideal standard, it will still be worth it for the extra protection is does give.
You see, I know the case I have on the phone now will not protect it as good as the OBEX will... I currently use the Seidio Surface and it is a real good case, but even if it only lives up to half of the hype the OBEX will protect it better.
Again, it will be a "wait and see" situation as to how good it will work. Maybe I won't throw it in the water right away, but it is nice to know if I accidentally drop it in the water that it should help.
One of the major things I want to know is how well it will handle heat displacement. Under normal conditions, my phone never gets real hot, but in my ibolt car cradle, charging with the sun hitting it through the windshield and using Navigation, it is a different story. I want to see how it handles those situations. So for me, inside forces are going to be more interesting than how it protects from outside forces. But, I will report what I find out.

I like the previous poster's thought process. I have a S4 with ATT and bought the S4 Active the third day it came out. I never used it outside of the house because there were no cases etc for it. After a week or so I started seeing reports of issues. Since I spent $640 on that phone, I thought I could do everything right with this phone and still have it get ruined by using it in a manner that they promote. I returned it after a week.
I then bought the Lifeproof case for my iphone 5 and it was amazing. I was taking pictures and video in the pool! My wife has a S3 and we bought her a Lifeproof case for our beach vacation. I was great having our phones (left my S4 at home) on the beach and the sand and in the water. Of course we tested the cases first underwater without the phones like they recommend.
I will seriously look at the Obex for the S4. The S3 model was too big and they say they have slimmed down the S4 model. $90 is great for the peace of mind near the pool or water which we are almost daily living in Dallas. Not sure I would leave it on all the time but surely on the weekends so hopefully it is fairly easy to put on and remove.
With the money from returning my s4 Active I got a S4 Google Play edition which is an amazing device! That is another post though...

scott14719 said:
If you have a couple of days to read this, here is my thoughts (LOL)...
Well, you are correct there is never a 100% guarantee, even if 99% of the units work great 1% might have problems. It reminds me of the S4 Active. The difference is that $90 for this case is a lot cheaper than taking the same gamble for a $600 phone. At least that is the way I look at it.
I'm just looking to use the case as a "what if" type of protection. Hopefully, it will be a lot better than that. I hope it will be good enough to take into the water and take pictures with or drop the phone from chest-pocket high and not have a scratch, but I'm not going to expect it to be that good until I test it to that point...slowly. The case's rating is better than the rating of the S4 Active, but that is only as good as the smallest defect might let it be.
I have square trade insurance, but I would rather not use it. I don't want to take the chance of getting a phone with MF3 as a replacement or even having to re-setup a phone that has MDL. To me, the $90 is worth the extra protection. So even if it doesn't stand up to the ideal standard, it will still be worth it for the extra protection is does give.
You see, I know the case I have on the phone now will not protect it as good as the OBEX will... I currently use the Seidio Surface and it is a real good case, but even if it only lives up to half of the hype the OBEX will protect it better.
Again, it will be a "wait and see" situation as to how good it will work. Maybe I won't throw it in the water right away, but it is nice to know if I accidentally drop it in the water that it should help.
One of the major things I want to know is how well it will handle heat displacement. Under normal conditions, my phone never gets real hot, but in my ibolt car cradle, charging with the sun hitting it through the windshield and using Navigation, it is a different story. I want to see how it handles those situations. So for me, inside forces are going to be more interesting than how it protects from outside forces. But, I will report what I find out.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks.
I have the ST warranty as well on my S4 and my wife's S4 Active. I do like the idea of being able to take pictures under water, but the biggest benefit for me would be the dust proofing. I can't stand the lint from jeans pockets mixing with skin oils and getting jammed in every nook and cranny on a phone. It is gross, and eventually eats away at the finish.
I do understand the fact that we would be paying for R&D, and I am no enemy of companies making a profit, but from the consumer side (at least from my point of view) $80 is a bit steep for a couple pieces of plastic that 'may' protect your phone under water.

joeybear23 said:
Thanks.
I have the ST warranty as well on my S4 and my wife's S4 Active. I do like the idea of being able to take pictures under water, but the biggest benefit for me would be the dust proofing. I can't stand the lint from jeans pockets mixing with skin oils and getting jammed in every nook and cranny on a phone. It is gross, and eventually eats away at the finish.
I do understand the fact that we would be paying for R&D, and I am no enemy of companies making a profit, but from the consumer side (at least from my point of view) $80 is a bit steep for a couple pieces of plastic that 'may' protect your phone under water.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It is a lot especially since I already payed a good amount for an Otterbox. But my daughter put a cup of juice on my night stand once while I was sleeping didnt know it was there and knocked it over on my droid 2 and it ruined it. I went 4wheeling with my s2 and sunk my quad with my phone in my pocket in a river and it was done for a week and then I was lucky enough it worked again but after a few months started having problems. So its worth it to me that I know if something haopens my phone will be ok. And its cheaper than paying for insurance and a deductible if my ohone got destroyed.
Sent from my SGH-M919 using xda app-developers app

Mr. bird said:
It is a lot especially since I already payed a good amount for an Otterbox. But my daughter put a cup of juice on my night stand once while I was sleeping didnt know it was there and knocked it over on my droid 2 and it ruined it. I went 4wheeling with my s2 and sunk my quad with my phone in my pocket in a river and it was done for a week and then I was lucky enough it worked again but after a few months started having problems. So its worth it to me that I know if something haopens my phone will be ok. And its cheaper than paying for insurance and a deductible if my ohone got destroyed.
Sent from my SGH-M919 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
True.. however don't you also need the insurance in addition to this case if you live such an active lifestyle?
I am not knocking the need for the case. I just don't see the company selling all that many at that price tag. Surely they could easily cover R&D with quantity. There's maybe $5 in materials in it... purely from a business standpoint, for a more attractive price they can lure people away from the cheap knock-offs.
the case does look pretty solid, though. I doubt there will be many complaints about the quality.

joeybear23 said:
I just don't see the company selling all that many at that price tag.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I see your point brother, but I know I'm getting it after I see a third party stress test it before I pay for it.

I work for a cell company and the case we sell the most is the lifeproof and the Atlas (also $89.99 price tag) , and at least 50% of my s3/4 customers want that option, of course I live in a rural state so lots of hunters and outdoorsy types, but point is there is a demand for them, I want mine for the waterproof, me and friends regularly go to the river on days off.
Posted from a Galaxy S4 it was.

I would like to see the Lifeproof Nuud for the S4.
In general the Obex for the S4 looks better than the one for the S3.

ricktat said:
I would like to see the Lifeproof Nuud for the S4.
In general the Obex for the S4 looks better than the one for the S3.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've got my S4 in the Seidio Surface and with the Convert for outdoors etc. Would love to get the OBEX for those water days, but being that summer is almost over and wont see much water here in NY except for rain and snow I'm having a hard time justifying another $90 for case and holster when I already have 2. All I'd be adding is waterproof. My Convert already protected me from a 6 ft drop to cement floor.
Also thinking for those that are planning this as weekend case, what effect adding and removing the case so many times will do to its waterproof capabilities.

I just got an email saying my case has been shipped. Hopefully it has actually been shipped and not just a label made up waiting to be shipped next week like they originally said. I would like to get it before Wednesday because I'm going to the shore for a few days. It would be nice to have it.
Sent from my SGH-M919 using xda app-developers app

For $4 plus tax you can get over 40 water resistant cases from the Dollar General. They're made by Glad.
Sent from my SPH-L720 using Tapatalk 4

Did you scratch yours already? Returning your product?

So.. I noticed I happened to scratch mine on the screen. I have no clue how and when it happened. Just noticed it. I did not have any protection for the screen. Never had them in the past. I did have a case though that lifts the screen up when placed facing down. I also never place my phone with the screen facing down. So I am assuming it happened somewhere else.
Since I bought it from Samsung directly, we have 30 days of free premium care support. Turns out that is through Assurant and they pretty much denied coverage on my device first saying it was not covered. When pressed they said they would cover it but I'd have to pay $99 for a replacement device AND that replacement device COULD be a factory refurbished device.
All bad news.. So I am deciding to return the phone back to Samsung since I am within my 14 days. The scratch is small enough and won't jump out on you... and you can't even see it if the screen is on.
Anyone with a similar experience?
:silly:

I doubt you'll find anyone willing to openly admit to also being as petty as what you've described above. How long do you think you'll keep up this game of exploiting (purchase, damage, return & repeat) before considering adequate protection to combat the OCD?!

androidbuff123 said:
So.. I noticed I happened to scratch mine on the screen. I have no clue how and when it happened. Just noticed it. I did not have any protection for the screen. Never had them in the past. I did have a case though that lifts the screen up when placed facing down. I also never place my phone with the screen facing down. So I am assuming it happened somewhere else.
Since I bought it from Samsung directly, we have 30 days of free premium care support. Turns out that is through Assurant and they pretty much denied coverage on my device first saying it was not covered. When pressed they said they would cover it but I'd have to pay $99 for a replacement device AND that replacement device COULD be a factory refurbished device.
All bad news.. So I am deciding to return the phone back to Samsung since I am within my 14 days. The scratch is small enough and won't jump out on you... and you can't even see it if the screen is on.
Anyone with a similar experience?
:silly:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You scratched it and think you are entitled to a brand new phone for FREE?
What are you 12?
This is whats wrong with America these days folks.. smh.

My firend out right cracked his S8+, filed a claim, paid $99 and got brand new device
This early in the game, they won't have refurbished units - in a month or so probably yeah
Side note, my wife dropped hers from about 3 ft and it has a scuff on the screen - noticeable but nothing horrible. Slapped a screen protector on it and all is good again. Gorilla Glass 5 is definitely a joke cause they claim should be good from higher distance

The feeling of entitlement these days is down right ridiculous.

androidbuff123 said:
So.. I noticed I happened to scratch mine on the screen. I have no clue how and when it happened. Just noticed it. I did not have any protection for the screen. Never had them in the past. I did have a case though that lifts the screen up when placed facing down. I also never place my phone with the screen facing down. So I am assuming it happened somewhere else.
Since I bought it from Samsung directly, we have 30 days of free premium care support. Turns out that is through Assurant and they pretty much denied coverage on my device first saying it was not covered. When pressed they said they would cover it but I'd have to pay $99 for a replacement device AND that replacement device COULD be a factory refurbished device.
All bad news.. So I am deciding to return the phone back to Samsung since I am within my 14 days. The scratch is small enough and won't jump out on you... and you can't even see it if the screen is on.
Anyone with a similar experience?
:silly:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What about the restocking fee are you not worried they might take more than 15% because of the damage?

Wow. The replies reflect how immature many of you are. You really think Samsung will take a scratched screen back without slapping a fee for it? When I called them to return it, I TOLD THEM IT WAS SCRATCHED. Since I'm within the 14 days and the scratch is small, they said they'll take it but may charge me a little.
I just didn't think it was fair for assurant to charge me $99 for what could possibly be a refurbished device when I'm supposedly enrolled in an insurance program.
Smh
Anyway. The post is more about how easily the screen scratches. I'd rather pay more and get a perfect phone than live with a scratched screen. I remember my first iPhone 6. that I had bought and my kid scratched it. Apple replaced it for a brand new one since it was only 3 days old.

androidbuff123 said:
Wow. The replies reflect how immature many of you are. You really think Samsung will take a scratched screen back without slapping a fee for it? When I called them to return it, I TOLD THEM IT WAS SCRATCHED. Since I'm within the 14 days and the scratch is small, they said they'll take it but may charge me a little.
I just didn't think it was fair for assurant to charge me $99 for what could possibly be a refurbished device when I'm supposedly enrolled in an insurance program.
Smh
Anyway. The post is more about how easily the screen scratches. I'd rather pay more and get a perfect phone than live with a scratched screen. I remember my first iPhone 6. that I had bought and my kid scratched it. Apple replaced it for a brand new one since it was only 3 days old.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think you pay for return shipping also. Then you get to wait for them to process the refund. That tiny scratch costs you almost $150 if you consider time and shipping/insurance.

But have you guys scratched your phone too? I don't mind a case. Just don't like them screen protectors that much. It beats the purpose imo

androidbuff123 said:
But have you guys scratched your phone too? I don't mind a case. Just don't like them screen protectors that much. It beats the purpose imo
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've never scratched any of my phones screens and i never use screen protectors because i hate them also.

scratched my screen, pretty small, not sure how it happened either, typically haven't had any problems with phones in the past, and have been careful
i'm just gonna pay to have the screen replaced in a couple months

954wrecker said:
I've never scratched any of my phones screens and i never use screen protectors because i hate them also.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Same here: am always careful and use a lightweight case on all of my phones.
Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk

Mine came right out of the box with a scratch. It was a pre-order and head clearly been played with. I immediately called TMobile and filed for a return and ordered a new one. Now my new one might have the home button issue ?
Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk

just opened mine yesterday. I kept the film on there was on, and added more tape to make sure i wont get scratches.
I am waiting on screen protectors for back and front

So I returned my S8 to the store and it happened to have a very very faint small scratch on the screen even though I was careful with it and never rubbed it against anything. I don't know how it got there or if it was on it when I opened the box. BB didn't care though, and I returned it cause I was having other issues with the device. My new one came with a screen protector on it (t-mobile version) that didn't have any print on the protector so I've just left it there and you can't even tell lol. But I did find one screen protector I bought that had good reviews. Link here: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B06XV9X72L/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

What issue did you say them?

deathshead said:
You scratched it and think you are entitled to a brand new phone for FREE?
What are you 12?
This is whats wrong with America these days folks.. smh.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So let me get this...according to your logic it is ok for samsung to sell phones with the worst glass quality ever? There are complaints all over the place regarding the fact that S8 scratches very easy comparing to any other previous version. I also experience issues with this poor gorilla glass 5...having scratched the display after only 2 weeks although I was being extremely careful with the device. We are all having just bad luck? I doubt it.
I'm sure that the only solution is to have a class action lawsuit against Samsung...otherwise their answer will always be that it's the consumer's fault. Unfortunately it doesn't explode like the Note 7 in order to draw so much attention and force Samsung to admit the problem.

I just noticed a giant scratch on front screen. Phone owned less than 1 month never dropped and never mingled together with hard items like keys. This seems almost impossible. I've owned a smartphone since iPhone 4 and I've never seen a phone scratch this fast for no reason.
Corning has some explaining to do as I believe they are fully responsible. They have taken an easy piggyback ride on the smartphone industry and have advanced beyond their wildest dreams because of it. Now it's 2017 and they are releasing products which do not meet standards.

I totally agree. Corning and Samsung must give an explanation about the scratch resistance of the glass they have put on the S8. I never had problems with scratches on my Samsung devices since gorilla glass 3. What happened this year? Is it a mistake of Corning or Samsung? Do other devices with gorilla glass 5 scratch so easily? I personally bought an ultra thin case (it's the first time i put a case) just to prevent any more scratches.

They made gorilla glass 5 softer to make it more shatter resistant which in fault causes it to scratch easier.
Harder glass= more shatter/less scratches
Softer glass = reduction in shatter/ more scratches.