- Dec 8, 2018
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As the title states.
tl;dr - Unlocked with fingerprint sensor and got an immediate strobe-like flash from the top left corner of the screen accompanied by an audible "click". The screen now has a "bleed" or "burn" mark about a third of the way down from that corner, and there is a metallic mark near where the flash emanated. (see pics)

Yes, I know this looks like typical drop damage, but take a look at this "flattened-staple" mark under the glass.... this is where the flash came from:

I searched this for a couple of days to no avail, so I decided to join/post here. I apologize for any n00b misnomers or lack of tech IQ, but I am not a superuser or even a hardcore enthusiast. I'm just hoping for an explanation.
The long version:
I pre-ordered a Pixel 3 from Fi and had it running within a week of the release. Everything seemed ok. It exhibited the screen flash glitch when unplugging it from the charger, but I had none of the memory, disappearing text, or other issues that were being reported.
I know what it looks like, but this is NOT drop damage. I've been totally paranoid about an $800 phone for the last month and have been holding it with two hands. I haven't so much as put this phone in my pocket with a key fob, much less dropped it or even bumped it.
It was literally sitting on my desk, the always-on screen displaying the time, not charging, not plugged in. It had about 10 hours since the last full charge. I got a notification and picked it up for a look. There was a flash and a click the very instant I touched the fingerprint sensor. The flash was bright enough for a coworker sitting across the room from me to ask "What was that?" The black blob formed in less than one second as the rest of the screen got green and fuzzy. You know that sick feeling you get when you realize how screwed you are??
As I poked at the screen and tried to understand what had just happened, the phone was starting to get warm in my hand. While it may have been my blood pressure, I honestly think the phone was cooking. The screen was unresponsive, so I pressed/held the power button. That seemed to restart it. At this point I had the presence of mind to take a picture of it, then did some combination of power button, fingerprint sensor, and maybe got lucky with the screen, but I was able to power it down after about two minutes.
The picture with the screen off shows the "flattened-staple" shaped mark below the glass. This is the spot that the flash appeared.
Personally, I think this is a popped SMD LED. You can see that while it near the corner of the screen, there is no crack and not a single mark on the bezel. This phone was truly handled like a baby bird for its short life.
Is this a "thing" with any of these displays? Could it be? Do I have an alternate "Tyler Durden" personality that is staying up all night and throwing the phone around?
For now, the replacement is on the way from Google Fi. I have to send the dead one back for a post-mortem, and I'm praying they don't try tell me it's drop damage. I'll keep the thread updated if needed, but I'd also appreciate any thoughts.
tl;dr - Unlocked with fingerprint sensor and got an immediate strobe-like flash from the top left corner of the screen accompanied by an audible "click". The screen now has a "bleed" or "burn" mark about a third of the way down from that corner, and there is a metallic mark near where the flash emanated. (see pics)

Yes, I know this looks like typical drop damage, but take a look at this "flattened-staple" mark under the glass.... this is where the flash came from:

I searched this for a couple of days to no avail, so I decided to join/post here. I apologize for any n00b misnomers or lack of tech IQ, but I am not a superuser or even a hardcore enthusiast. I'm just hoping for an explanation.
The long version:
I pre-ordered a Pixel 3 from Fi and had it running within a week of the release. Everything seemed ok. It exhibited the screen flash glitch when unplugging it from the charger, but I had none of the memory, disappearing text, or other issues that were being reported.
I know what it looks like, but this is NOT drop damage. I've been totally paranoid about an $800 phone for the last month and have been holding it with two hands. I haven't so much as put this phone in my pocket with a key fob, much less dropped it or even bumped it.
It was literally sitting on my desk, the always-on screen displaying the time, not charging, not plugged in. It had about 10 hours since the last full charge. I got a notification and picked it up for a look. There was a flash and a click the very instant I touched the fingerprint sensor. The flash was bright enough for a coworker sitting across the room from me to ask "What was that?" The black blob formed in less than one second as the rest of the screen got green and fuzzy. You know that sick feeling you get when you realize how screwed you are??
As I poked at the screen and tried to understand what had just happened, the phone was starting to get warm in my hand. While it may have been my blood pressure, I honestly think the phone was cooking. The screen was unresponsive, so I pressed/held the power button. That seemed to restart it. At this point I had the presence of mind to take a picture of it, then did some combination of power button, fingerprint sensor, and maybe got lucky with the screen, but I was able to power it down after about two minutes.
The picture with the screen off shows the "flattened-staple" shaped mark below the glass. This is the spot that the flash appeared.
Personally, I think this is a popped SMD LED. You can see that while it near the corner of the screen, there is no crack and not a single mark on the bezel. This phone was truly handled like a baby bird for its short life.
Is this a "thing" with any of these displays? Could it be? Do I have an alternate "Tyler Durden" personality that is staying up all night and throwing the phone around?
For now, the replacement is on the way from Google Fi. I have to send the dead one back for a post-mortem, and I'm praying they don't try tell me it's drop damage. I'll keep the thread updated if needed, but I'd also appreciate any thoughts.