Is screen lift a cosmetic issue?

[monochromatic rainbow]

so i got my nexus 7 less than a week ago and within an hour of using it i notice my screen was kinda squishy on one side so i googled it and found about the defect.
i was wondering if it's just a cosmetic thing or if it'll lead to something worse.
i already opened it (there were already a ton of fingerprints on all the copper parts like someone had already been in there) and tighened the screws on multiple occasions but the screen starts lifting after maybe 15mins.
i dont think the bookstore i bought it from will take it back because i already opened it (stupid but whatever) and i wanna know if it's worth all the trouble of a rma.
i've heard that some people just get multiples replacements via rma and they all have that issue and other ppl get denied rma altogether.
i just got it and i use it for note taking (and for fun....mostly for fun) and i dont feel like sending it away to asus for a month unless it's worth it/ necessary.

edited to add that it creaks....loudly and often xP

 

[KitN]

Hi and welcome!

Screen lift is a very common issue, or so it would seem. Some people think its just a "cosmetic" flaw but others believe it has led to touchscreen insensitivity/problems and even cracks in the screen but either way, its a manufacturer defect. The screen shouldn't be lifted at all so you are covered by manufacturer warranty.

Opening the case: As long as you didn't break anything and replaced the case back on, no one can tell it as ever opened so you don't need to worry about that voiding your ability to return it to the store or sending it in for an RMA.

Personally, I would highly suggest you go back to the place of purchase and exchange it for another brand new unit if you are within the store's return period.

As is stated at the beginning, screen lift seems very common so your chances of getting yet another unit with this issue seems high... Especially from the same batch... So... Decide whether this is a huge issue for you and return it or keep it, accordingly.

I've had two units so far. Both with screen lift. I'm so tired, I don't feel like going through the process again of exchanging it... So now I have a unit with slightly less screen lift but has a wacky touch sensitivity issue which my first unit did not have so technically this unit is WORSE than the one I exchanged it for but again, I'm tired of dealing with RMAs and waiting so I'm just dealing with it. If I wake up any day and decide "ENOUGH!", I'll do an RMA.

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 2

 

[MJKearney]

I've read some people say that it can be more susceptible to the glass breaking if you press the screen back down too hard, but I don't know how true that is. I think the biggest danger is being pissed off that you have an annoying defective unit that is squishy and creaky when you slide your finger to scroll an app.

Should you RMA? It depends on how much screen lift there is and how much it bugs you. My first N7 had significant lift and was like a squeaky sponge when I ran my finger lightly along the left side. Others reported minor lift that wasn't noisy or too squishy, and was within their margin of acceptability. My second N7 was perfect, except for the badly blown speaker and one hard to notice dead pixel. The third one is a charm.

Yes, it's possible a replacement will have the same defect (or even a different defect), but it's 100% definite that you'll have a defective unit if you keep the one you have. The forums seem to indicate that newer builds of the N7 are less susceptible to screen lift. Also, the majority of units are actually defect-free. You hear so much about defective units because that's much more interesting to write about, and because users don't usually seek advice about what to do about their perfectly good N7 babies.

If you decide to RMA it, try exchanging it where you bought it first. If it's in new condition and within their return period, they should take it back, even if you have taken off the backing. That shouldn't make a difference. Unless you've damaged it by doing so, just don't say anything about it.

Good luck and let us know what happens.

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Android Central Forums

 

[monochromatic rainbow]

thanks for the replies.
i think the policy where i bought mine wont let me return it bcz i opened the box.
it would be different if the defect was more....impressive? but me showing the lady my squeeky, squishy, 100% functional screen wont cut it.
i can't decide if i want to rma it or not. on one hand, i would LOVE a 100% perfect unit. It's not really asking that much since i did buy it brand new 4 days ago, but on the other hand my defect doesnt seem to be as bad as what i could end up with.
i'll rma it if they let me keep the unit while they send me a new one with a shipping label for me to return the defective one, however if i have to mail it away for them to take their sweet time determining if it's defective and deciding if they want to send me a new one that may very well also be defective then i'll just stick with what i've got.

 

[MJKearney]

First, at least try to return it. Don't make assumptions. The worst that can happen is they say no and you waste a little bit of your time. The best that happens is they say yes and you're suddenly a happy camper. What store did you buy this in that has such a unfriendly return policy?

If you do RMA, you would likely have to do this directly with ASUS, not Google. This would mean not getting an exchange, but instead warranty service on the unit you have now. You would have to wait for them to receive it, evaluate it, repair it, and return it to you.

However, had you bought it from Google, they would do an even exchange, sending you a replacement unit and giving you a couple weeks to return the defective unit, all with free shipping both ways. That's assuming you're in a country that lets you buy directly from Google. But I guess that's a moot point now!

 

[mkhall]

Until I visited the forums I didn't even notice the screen lift. If I press hard on the left edge of the screen I can hear a very quiet pop, but the movement itself is hardly noticeable. Since I won it and didn't buy it, I'm assuming I'd need to return it to ASUS for service, which sounds like a pain. Given that I am not even aware of the lift most of the time, could I just keep it and hope for the best? Or is it going to swiftly degenerate?

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Android Central Forums

 

[harryg27]

Given that I am not even aware of the lift most of the time, could I just keep it and hope for the best? Or is it going to swiftly degenerate?

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Android Central Forums

I am wondering this as well. I got a C60 Nexus 7 on 9/28, slight lift on left side. Not nearly as severe as I feared it would be. Nothing bad has happened so far, so hopefully it will be fine in the long run.