Nooo! i dropped my SgSIII and the glass broke.

[waggy]

sigh.

so how long until the S4 or Note 3? heh

 

[poofyhairguy]

S4 this week.

 

[Ashenor]

Today??

I dropped my Note II this morning and shattered the screen!

First phone i have dropped in 3 plus years.

Off to Best Buy to use my insurance in a few.

 

[ChronoReverse]

I broke my One X in the weekend too so now I'm going to get a GS4. "Convenient" I guess but I had actually wanted to wait for the Note 3 and Nexus 5 to be announced first at least =(

 

[waggy]

Today??

I dropped my Note II this morning and shattered the screen!

First phone i have dropped in 3 plus years.

Off to Best Buy to use my insurance in a few.

yeah.

i have dropped it a few times. did it this morning and its cracked in 3 places.

it still works fine. just looks like shit.

thought about just going to get a Note 2. but will use it until the note 3 or S4. not sure witch of the 2 i want.

 

[Crono]

I feel your pain. Dropped my HTC Trophy 2 weeks ago. Still works, but it's relegated to alarm clock duty now.

It was a good and durable phone, really. It's funny how you can drop a phone 100x with no damage, but that one time it lands at the wrong angle...

Luckily I was getting a new phone, anyway. Love my HTC One. I learned my lesson, though, added insurance for $6 a month from ATT. I wish there wasn't a deductible, but at least if it breaks I'm spending only $200 and not $600.

 

[Zaap]

If you're even halfway handy, it's easier to fix than you might think.

I fixed an SGS3 with a severely shattered screen in about 20 minutes. Just used a heat gun ($15), replacement screen (about $15), screen protector, and some screen-repair tools ($3 kit off ebay) to lift up the broken screen.

The key is actually the screen protector or use some heavy clear packaging tape. This holds the screen together so it all lifts up as one piece.

All kinds of youtube videos I watched on how to do it make it out to be much harder than it actually was because most of them don't use the screen protector or tape, so people waste a lot of time with broken shards rather than just lift the screen as once peice. Even the heatgun didn't change the effectiveness of the screen protector at all.

I was worried about scratching the LCD under the glass, but really unless you're really clumbsy and impatient and job a metal tool under the glass you're not going to scratch the LCD.

Get a repair kit that includes a good edge tool (looks sort of like a guitar pick) and a suction cup with a ring on it. The suction tool is another key thing- with it, you can loop your finger through it and keep a constant upward pressure on the broken screen making it release a lot easier. Since you're doing it the smart way with a screen protector, then you'll get a perfect seal.

Once the glass is lifted up, carefully use a lint free cloth (like for a camera lens) to clean the LCD. The replacement will snap into place- then heat gun it so the glue re-melts and seals it in place.

Anyway, just my two cents- for roughly $33 or so I was able to restore an SGS3 to a status where you couldn't tell the screen had been smashed. If someone is just going to otherwise toss the phone or sell it really cheap since it's broken, you don't have that much to lose by giving it a shot.

 

[Crono]

If you're even halfway handy, it's easier to fix than you might think.

I fixed an SGS3 with a severely shattered screen in about 20 minutes. Just used a heat gun ($15), replacement screen (about $15), screen protector, and some screen-repair tools ($3 kit off ebay) to lift up the broken screen.

The key is actually the screen protector or use some heavy clear packaging tape. This holds the screen together so it all lifts up as one piece.

All kinds of youtube videos I watched on how to do it make it out to be much harder than it actually was because most of them don't use the screen protector or tape, so people waste a lot of time with broken shards rather than just lift the screen as once peice. Even the heatgun didn't change the effectiveness of the screen protector at all.

I was worried about scratching the LCD under the glass, but really unless you're really clumbsy and impatient and job a metal tool under the glass you're not going to scratch the LCD.

Get a repair kit that includes a good edge tool (looks sort of like a guitar pick) and a suction cup with a ring on it. The suction tool is another key thing- with it, you can loop your finger through it and keep a constant upward pressure on the broken screen making it release a lot easier. Since you're doing it the smart way with a screen protector, then you'll get a perfect seal.

Once the glass is lifted up, carefully use a lint free cloth (like for a camera lens) to clean the LCD. The replacement will snap into place- then heat gun it so the glue re-melts and seals it in place.

Anyway, just my two cents- for roughly $33 or so I was able to restore an SGS3 to a status where you couldn't tell the screen had been smashed. If someone is just going to otherwise toss the phone or sell it really cheap since it's broken, you don't have that much to lose by giving it a shot.

I might try that with my Trophy. Looking at ebay, the replacement screens are pretty cheap. Thanks!

 

[Chrono]

Just dropped my... wait never mind I didn't. *knocks on wood*
Else I'd be buying a HTC ONE in place of my note2.

 

[waggy]

If you're even halfway handy, it's easier to fix than you might think.

I fixed an SGS3 with a severely shattered screen in about 20 minutes. Just used a heat gun ($15), replacement screen (about $15), screen protector, and some screen-repair tools ($3 kit off ebay) to lift up the broken screen.

The key is actually the screen protector or use some heavy clear packaging tape. This holds the screen together so it all lifts up as one piece.

All kinds of youtube videos I watched on how to do it make it out to be much harder than it actually was because most of them don't use the screen protector or tape, so people waste a lot of time with broken shards rather than just lift the screen as once peice. Even the heatgun didn't change the effectiveness of the screen protector at all.

I was worried about scratching the LCD under the glass, but really unless you're really clumbsy and impatient and job a metal tool under the glass you're not going to scratch the LCD.

Get a repair kit that includes a good edge tool (looks sort of like a guitar pick) and a suction cup with a ring on it. The suction tool is another key thing- with it, you can loop your finger through it and keep a constant upward pressure on the broken screen making it release a lot easier. Since you're doing it the smart way with a screen protector, then you'll get a perfect seal.

Once the glass is lifted up, carefully use a lint free cloth (like for a camera lens) to clean the LCD. The replacement will snap into place- then heat gun it so the glue re-melts and seals it in place.

Anyway, just my two cents- for roughly $33 or so I was able to restore an SGS3 to a status where you couldn't tell the screen had been smashed. If someone is just going to otherwise toss the phone or sell it really cheap since it's broken, you don't have that much to lose by giving it a shot.

ohh will have to try that.

i see you can get a kit (with screen and tools) for under $20

 

[Barpanda]

Didn't you use a cover? It works like a charm, I dropped my phone the other day and the cover saved my device. I bought from case from here

They have a cool collection of cases.

 

[OBLAMA2009]

you guys that shattered your screens, were you using cases? i once dropped my droid x in an otter box case and it didnt break the glass but it got black dots on the screen. i bought the new screen and tools but was too lazy to do it, i ended up just buying a new phone.with newer phones i think screen replacements are more difficult, some guy above mentioned having to use a heat gun, that sounds like it would be easier to get a new phone

 

[rcpratt]

You don't even need the heat gun. A hair dryer works perfectly well - I just replaced my SGS3 screen last week.

 

[OBLAMA2009]

You don't even need the heat gun. A hair dryer works perfectly well - I just replaced my SGS3 screen last week.

isnt that a little messy. doesnt the adhesive get stickie schitt all ova da place? and how do you re-adhere stuff, dont you need sumthin to put it back together. also what is the quality of the replacement screen? is it the exact one used by samsung and if not does it look as nice?

i have an s3 im sure ill eventually break or ill get tired of looking at the screen burn in

 

[Ashenor]

I don't use a case because I have Best Buy insurance. Stopped there yesterday replacement phone will be in friday, no deductible, great piece of mind for 10 bucks a month.

 

[waggy]

You don't even need the heat gun. A hair dryer works perfectly well - I just replaced my SGS3 screen last week.

i don't have a hair dryer. I don't need one...:whiste: I look a lot like my avatar. lol

Didn't you use a cover? It works like a charm, I dropped my phone the other day and the cover saved my device. I bought from case from here

They have a cool collection of cases.

no case or cover. but going to order one after i fix it!


ordered the kit for $20 (includes tools, screen and shipping) and heat gun (on sale for$13 from $35!).

 

[rcpratt]

isnt that a little messy. doesnt the adhesive get stickie schitt all ova da place? and how do you re-adhere stuff, dont you need sumthin to put it back together. also what is the quality of the replacement screen? is it the exact one used by samsung and if not does it look as nice?

i have an s3 im sure ill eventually break or ill get tired of looking at the screen burn in

I'd say the replacement screens look 99% as nice. Perhaps a little less clear in bright light. I'd always opt for full replacement if I could.

The adhesive melts, but turns back to a solid gel pretty quickly after removing the heat source. There's enough adhesive left on the phone to sufficiently attach the replacement screen (at least for the first one).

 

[Zaap]

I agree, the replacement screen should look just about as good as the original. I couldn't really find any fault with the one I used. It sure as heck looked 1,000% better than the shattered screen. I felt no difference in the touch performance afterwards either.

A few more tips I'd offer:

Take extra care to keep the screen and glass replacement clean. I can't emphasize enough, use a lint free cloth if you wipe under the screen at all. Lint of any kind will catch in the tacky glue (mostly around the edge of the screen) and then be forever trapped under your replacement screen.

When you get your glass replacement: leave it bagged until the minute you're ready to install it so it remains speck free. Even when you unbag it- obviously, DON'T touch the underside of it with bare fingers, or anything other than a lint-free rag or you'll forever have whatever fingerprints/smudges/lint etc trapped under your glass. Treat it like its in a clean room.

After you lift the glass:
There may be a few small splotches of glue and glass debris left on the LCD screen. DON'T rub them, whatever you do. Carefully lift any debris with scotch tape.

When pulling up the glass:
Be really careful along the bottom edge of the screen where the menu and back buttons are. These are attached by a thin led strip. Use the 'guitar pick' tool to just pry up the edge- in fact, just pry up along the edges all around the phone (never in deeper than the bezels until the glass separates completely) and keep upward pressure on the suction cup and the whole screen will eventually give. Don't use heat in any one place for too long.

In every youtube video I watched on this, people had all sorts of silly ways to reattach the back and menu button elements, rather than what I'd consider the most logical.

You'll notice they are little ribbon elements stuck to the back of the glass under the cutouts for their shapes that light up.

Don't bother with any method that calls for sticking them to the phone itself- just (duh) re-stick them under the new replacement glass where they go.

This also has the benefit of guiding you in reattaching the glass: once the buttons are stuck in place, rest the bottom edge of the glass on the phone and (with the attached buttons acting as sort of a hinge) just lay it into place. Use the top microphone cutout as the guide at the top, and once it's nicely aligned, start to press it down, apply the heatgun. To be on the sure side, I left the one I fixed upside down on a cloth over a flat tabletop, with just enough weight on top to keep it pressed flat for an hour or so while the glue reset. When done, I couldn't sense any gap between glass and the screen.

 

[dbk]

I agree, the replacement screen should look just about as good as the original. I couldn't really find any fault with the one I used. It sure as heck looked 1,000% better than the shattered screen. I felt no difference in the touch performance afterwards either.

A few more tips I'd offer:

Take extra care to keep the screen and glass replacement clean. I can't emphasize enough, use a lint free cloth if you wipe under the screen at all. Lint of any kind will catch in the tacky glue (mostly around the edge of the screen) and then be forever trapped under your replacement screen.

When you get your glass replacement: leave it bagged until the minute you're ready to install it so it remains speck free. Even when you unbag it- obviously, DON'T touch the underside of it with bare fingers, or anything other than a lint-free rag or you'll forever have whatever fingerprints/smudges/lint etc trapped under your glass. Treat it like its in a clean room.

After you lift the glass:
There may be a few small splotches of glue and glass debris left on the LCD screen. DON'T rub them, whatever you do. Carefully lift any debris with scotch tape.

When pulling up the glass:
Be really careful along the bottom edge of the screen where the menu and back buttons are. These are attached by a thin led strip. Use the 'guitar pick' tool to just pry up the edge- in fact, just pry up along the edges all around the phone (never in deeper than the bezels until the glass separates completely) and keep upward pressure on the suction cup and the whole screen will eventually give. Don't use heat in any one place for too long.

In every youtube video I watched on this, people had all sorts of silly ways to reattach the back and menu button elements, rather than what I'd consider the most logical.

You'll notice they are little ribbon elements stuck to the back of the glass under the cutouts for their shapes that light up.

Don't bother with any method that calls for sticking them to the phone itself- just (duh) re-stick them under the new replacement glass where they go.

This also has the benefit of guiding you in reattaching the glass: once the buttons are stuck in place, rest the bottom edge of the glass on the phone and (with the attached buttons acting as sort of a hinge) just lay it into place. Use the top microphone cutout as the guide at the top, and once it's nicely aligned, start to press it down, apply the heatgun. To be on the sure side, I left the one I fixed upside down on a cloth over a flat tabletop, with just enough weight on top to keep it pressed flat for an hour or so while the glue reset. When done, I couldn't sense any gap between glass and the screen.

Wow how much are cracked S3s these days? I fix iPhones for friends and fam.. This sounds easier.

 

[OBLAMA2009]

I agree, the replacement screen should look just about as good as the original. I couldn't really find any fault with the one I used. It sure as heck looked 1,000% better than the shattered screen. I felt no difference in the touch performance afterwards either.

A few more tips I'd offer:

Take extra care to keep the screen and glass replacement clean. I can't emphasize enough, use a lint free cloth if you wipe under the screen at all. Lint of any kind will catch in the tacky glue (mostly around the edge of the screen) and then be forever trapped under your replacement screen.

When you get your glass replacement: leave it bagged until the minute you're ready to install it so it remains speck free. Even when you unbag it- obviously, DON'T touch the underside of it with bare fingers, or anything other than a lint-free rag or you'll forever have whatever fingerprints/smudges/lint etc trapped under your glass. Treat it like its in a clean room.

After you lift the glass:
There may be a few small splotches of glue and glass debris left on the LCD screen. DON'T rub them, whatever you do. Carefully lift any debris with scotch tape.

When pulling up the glass:
Be really careful along the bottom edge of the screen where the menu and back buttons are. These are attached by a thin led strip. Use the 'guitar pick' tool to just pry up the edge- in fact, just pry up along the edges all around the phone (never in deeper than the bezels until the glass separates completely) and keep upward pressure on the suction cup and the whole screen will eventually give. Don't use heat in any one place for too long.

In every youtube video I watched on this, people had all sorts of silly ways to reattach the back and menu button elements, rather than what I'd consider the most logical.

You'll notice they are little ribbon elements stuck to the back of the glass under the cutouts for their shapes that light up.

Don't bother with any method that calls for sticking them to the phone itself- just (duh) re-stick them under the new replacement glass where they go.

This also has the benefit of guiding you in reattaching the glass: once the buttons are stuck in place, rest the bottom edge of the glass on the phone and (with the attached buttons acting as sort of a hinge) just lay it into place. Use the top microphone cutout as the guide at the top, and once it's nicely aligned, start to press it down, apply the heatgun. To be on the sure side, I left the one I fixed upside down on a cloth over a flat tabletop, with just enough weight on top to keep it pressed flat for an hour or so while the glue reset. When done, I couldn't sense any gap between glass and the screen.

this sounds a lot more perilous than replacement on my old droid x. youd think manufacturers would expect this stuff to happen and make it easier

 

[Zaap]

After doing it, I don't think it's perilous at all. Some things are actually to be expected.

Glass: it's fragile. Don't drop things made largely of glass, they tend to break. Somehow we all tend to understand this if its a glass of drink we don't want spilled everywhere/fix/cleanup the mess, but ignore it with $600+ electronic devices.

Manufacturers can make stronger/more complex materials, but they also can get heavier/more expensive as well, so people will bitch about that too.

 

[Crono]

you guys that shattered your screens, were you using cases? i once dropped my droid x in an otter box case and it didnt break the glass but it got black dots on the screen. i bought the new screen and tools but was too lazy to do it, i ended up just buying a new phone.with newer phones i think screen replacements are more difficult, some guy above mentioned having to use a heat gun, that sounds like it would be easier to get a new phone

Nope, no case on the two phones I have cracked (Blackberry Storm, HTC Trophy).

I had an otterbox for my Venue Pro at one point, but otherwise all my phones have been without cases. I figure any case won't completely protect a phone from potential damage, and I don't like the added thickness/weight of any of the really protective cases. I've had mostly inexpensive phones to this point.

If I drop my One now, though, and the screen breaks, I'm fairly certain I won't be able to replace it myself judging buy the iFixit teardown. So I got insurance for it.

 

[Nintendesert]

I find it suspicious that you dropped your phone this week! Highly suspicious. :sneaky:

 

[podspi]

I might try that with my Trophy. Looking at ebay, the replacement screens are pretty cheap. Thanks!

FYI, the procedure he stated was only for the SGS3. There should be instructions online though for your specific phone!

isnt that a little messy. doesnt the adhesive get stickie schitt all ova da place? and how do you re-adhere stuff, dont you need sumthin to put it back together. also what is the quality of the replacement screen? is it the exact one used by samsung and if not does it look as nice?

i have an s3 im sure ill eventually break or ill get tired of looking at the screen burn in

We're only talking about the glass cover -- not the screen really. You can replace the front glass without opening the SGS3 at all, but the burn in will still be there :biggrin: (the front glass isn't even the digitizer).

 

[WelshBloke]

FYI, the procedure he stated was only for the SGS3. There should be instructions online though for your specific phone!



We're only talking about the glass cover -- not the screen really. You can replace the front glass without opening the SGS3 at all, but the burn in will still be there :biggrin: (the front glass isn't even the digitizer).

Isn't that glass glued to the screen?

I know on the S2 it's really glued on well and the chances of getting it off without breaking the screen are slim. I can't imagine it would look particularly good after you've glued a new glass on either.