N4 finally fell and the front glass shattered - what are my options?

[sandeep_s]

Well my luck finally ran out.

After five months of using a naked N4 I finally broke it. It has fallen numerous times to the ground before due to the slick back, but it usually it got through those drops unscathed. Tonight though it fell about four feet from what I thought was a mostly flat surface. When I looked at the screen I saw the dreaded "spider web" look of the glass. The screen no longer responds to touches.

So what are my options (or my best options)?

- Buying a new N4 16GB via google would cost about $400 with taxes and two-day shipping.
- Buying a new one via TMO would apparently cost $457.99 (plus taxes), but possible could be bought locally.
- Buying a replacement glass front kit or sending it off to get repaired = $???
(- Getting new phone now, eventually fixing screen and re-selling that one?)

There is a faint light brown yellow dot near the middle top area. I don't know if that means the screen is damaged or if that's just an effect of the shattered glass.

The worse part is that the screen is now unresponsive, meaning I can't move around in the phone at all.

Also, I never did a proper backup. I'm currently connected it to via my laptop via the Android File Transfer and transfered over some files (third-party camera app photos, regular camera app photos/vids, some recorded audios, screenshots, etc.) I never had mp3s or movies on it. Are there any essential files in other folders (like the Android one) that I should download? There are a few apps that have settings that aren't stored in the cloud that I'd like to save.

Since the screen is unresponsive I'm guessing it's too late now to do any sort of "proper" backup of it??

Thanks,

Even if the screen is not responding you can use a usb otg cable and control your phone via a mouse. You can backup using this method.

Sent from my Nexus 4 using Android Central Forums

 

[xstinkyx]

Even if the screen is not responding you can use a usb otg cable and control your phone via a mouse. You can backup using this method.

As I understand it doesn't doing that on the N4 require rooting or some other solution? Or does the N4 now fully support USB OTG out of the box?

 

[sandeep_s]

As I understand it doesn't doing that on the N4 require rooting or some other solution? Or does the N4 now fully support USB OTG out of the box?

It does on my phone out of the box. No rooting required.

Sent from my Nexus 4 using Android Central Forums

 

[mr_nobody]

It does on my phone out of the box. No rooting required.

Sent from my Nexus 4 using Android Central Forums

Are you sure? Google definitely removed otg from the n4 at launch:

Android Advanced: USB OTG on the Nexus 4 | Android Central

 

[sandeep_s]

Are you sure? Google definitely removed otg from the n4 at launch:

Android Advanced: USB OTG on the Nexus 4 | Android Central

My bad.
I had tried it on nexus 7 out of the box and it worked. So I thought it should be the same for nexus 4.

Sent from my Nexus 4 using Android Central Forums

 

[sting7k]

Why do you consider it "luck" that you didn't break your phone until now?

 

[mr_nobody]

My bad.
I had tried it on nexus 7 out of the box and it worked. So I thought it should be the same for nexus 4.

Sent from my Nexus 4 using Android Central Forums

Yeah, I was surprised too...pretty annoying frankly...

 

[Nikhil K]

I have dropped my Nexus 4 on its side .Its a 2 foot fall right onto a concrete floor.A crack appeared in the middle of the screen which started from the volume button and extended all along to the power button.Such a fragile piece of beauty!! But I was appalled to find the punctured steel lining around the screen.

Rushed to LG service centre nearby and got the screen(Screen+Digitizer) for INR 4700 (76 US$)including service charge.Luckily my LCD wasn't damaged.


Hope this helps out some overwrought nexus 4 user worrying about the cost for replacement.