Some Observations after receiving new Warranty Replacment

[willdogs]

Hi All

So I just received my warranty replacement two days ago and have been using it normally since. The reason I received a replacement was due to a faulty power adapter. Since google will not supply just an adapter, they sent me a whole new phone.

Here are some issues I was living with with my old phone, I never really complained about them as they were minor
- Crackling sounds in the earpiece
- Pretty quick battery drainage
- Display would show a washed out screen when powering on (very infrequent). Turing off/on would resolve.
- Crappy camera/blurry shots

Now with the replacement, all of the above issues seem to be non existent. In fact, even the battery drain is better. It doesnt drain nearly as fast as my old phone. I have the new phone setup exactly as my old one. All of the same apps and settings BTW.

Another curious thing I noticed. They claimed that they were sending me a new phone as per google policy they dont send refurbs. When went to break the seal on the new phone, I noticed that if you look closely, the seal was already broken prior and they carefully placed two new pieces of black tape. Hmm!?

The phone was still obviously new in all other aspcts.

What I am wondering is if Google/LG realized that the first batches had issues and they stopped production on purpose to correct the issue as well as fix all of the ones they had in the warehouse before sending them out again? Could be the reason that the seal was broken? the could have carefully opened up the phone to replace faulty hardware and/or updated the software and re-boxed them?

That's my theory anyway All I know is that this replacement phone is much better!

 

[ragnarokx]

I've had the opposite happen with the Galaxy Nexus release - replacement phone was much worse than the original. If you got another replacement, there is no guarantee it wouldn't be similar to your first phone.

Sent from my Nexus 7

 

[minnemike]

Most of these issues seem to come and go with no rhyme or reason... I wouldn't count yourself out of the woods just yet. Give it another week and then give us an update if you can.

 

[excalis]

I received my replacement and also noticed those same things are gone and the ear piece volume is much louder and clearer. I did not notice the seal part, seemed to be brand new so just broken it and went with it.

This phone seems much better.

Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk 2

 

[swebb]

I also had a positive (so far) experience with my replacement. The crackling is much lower, the battery lasts longer, and the screen appears better. Now, my only issue for wanting a replacement was the crackling, as it got much worse over time. So I'll definitely monitor this. The longer battery seems to be something they did to decrease drain while the phone is sleeping. Battery time while the screen is active is unchanged. The display appearance could be from slightly brighter settings while on auto brightness. Subtle, but I did notice better quality when viewed from an angle. The replacement has hardware build 11, while the original was 10. My original was one of the first built, number 15,000 according to the LG IMEI lookup tool. The replacement was built earlier this month. So it appears that LG made some hardware (shielding the earpiece) and software changes in build 11.

BTW, the RMA experience could not have been better. The Google rep was very friendly. Absolutely no pressure about why I was RMA'ing it. She said to call back again if I had any issues with the replacement. Received the replacement in 4 working days.

 

[Hubertsng]

Huh. Might go for a replacement then. I have a bit of crackling that wasnt worth replacing. There is also a bug with the maps taking a lot of battery that i have and force stop doesnt solve the solution

Sent from my Nexus 4

 

[ccgabe]

My replacement is suppose to arrive today... about the only issue I had was signal on t-mobile. Sometimes 3 bars, sometimes 1 and sometimes none all while the phone is sitting on the desk. And I am in one of their highest signal areas.

 

[olops]

I also had a positive (so far) experience with my replacement. The crackling is much lower, the battery lasts longer, and the screen appears better. Now, my only issue for wanting a replacement was the crackling, as it got much worse over time. So I'll definitely monitor this. The longer battery seems to be something they did to decrease drain while the phone is sleeping. Battery time while the screen is active is unchanged. The display appearance could be from slightly brighter settings while on auto brightness. Subtle, but I did notice better quality when viewed from an angle. The replacement has hardware build 11, while the original was 10. My original was one of the first built, number 15,000 according to the LG IMEI lookup tool. The replacement was built earlier this month. So it appears that LG made some hardware (shielding the earpiece) and software changes in build 11..

Where can I see the HW revision of a Nexus 4?

 

[swebb]

Where can I see the HW revision of a Nexus 4?

In the bootloader screen. You need to power off the phone, then power back on while holding the volume down button. Look for HW Version in the text.

 

[dan1431]

My LG provided wall charger stopped working and I called about getting one RMAed and was told they have to send out a new phone, which sounds ridiculous.

However if HW Rev. 12 has improved issues with the HW Rev. 10 than I might just request the RMA even though the only thing not working is the wall charger.

Dan

 

[peterskim]

Interesting. I have hardware rev 10. Fortunately, I haven't had issues besides the random reboots that many people seem to complain about and believe will be fixed in an upcoming Android update.

 

[willdogs]

In the bootloader screen. You need to power off the phone, then power back on while holding the volume down button. Look for HW Version in the text.

Thanks for this. Seems my replacement is Ver. 11 as well. Could explain the differences that i'm seeing.

 

[excalis]

Also, I noticed it was easier to plug in my headphones, on the previous phone it was tougher to do so and have read of others with that as an issue.

Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk 2

 

[swebb]

Thanks for this. Seems my replacement is Ver. 11 as well. Could explain the differences that i'm seeing.

Somewhere on the XDA forums there is a changelog. Very technical and doesn't mean much to me. Looks like there is some subbing of components and changes to the bills of material. Certainly nothing that looks major. I would not get hung up on the hardware version if your phone is working to your satisfaction.

 

[donm527#IM]

same issue here and i also thought it ridiculous to send a new phone for a charger... and my current phone is running no probs really (maybe the headphone crackling) so i dont really subscribe to the belief that new replacements are always better than first batches (s happens ya know). but hey if they are willing to send a new phone while I have mine, then i went for it. love my andru charger but i dont want to be one less charger and dont want to go out and spend $25 for a simple charger. hope the new phone is better in battery and crackling too.

My LG provided wall charger stopped working and I called about getting one RMAed and was told they have to send out a new phone, which sounds ridiculous.

However if HW Rev. 12 has improved issues with the HW Rev. 10 than I might just request the RMA even though the only thing not working is the wall charger.

Dan

 

[anon(354569)]

Interesting observations here. I got one of the second batches of Nexus 4's, I was one of the refresh page later in the day orders, which arrived about 2 weeks after release and this is the best phone I have ever had. The only issue I am having is that my charger makes a noticeable buzzing noise when it is plugged in to the wall, but stops when I plug my phone in to charge it. I was thinking about calling to see if I could get a replacement charger, but it is sounding like they just ship a new phone as well. Anyone else had this charger issue? For those who had a charger stop working, did it buzz before dying? Thanks.

 

[swebb]

You might just want to get an aftermarket charger to replace the LG OEM and keep the phone that you like. It's possible you might get a "lesser" phone if you have to go with the full replacement.

Also, I noticed it was easier to plug in my headphones, on the previous phone it was tougher to do so and have read of others with that as an issue.

I just checked this out. It is much easier. Was afraid of breaking the original phone given the force required to insert the jack. This is a definite improvement.

 

[anon(354569)]

You might just want to get an aftermarket charger to replace the LG OEM and keep the phone that you like. It's possible you might get a "lesser" phone if you have to go with the full replacement.


I just checked this out. It is much easier. Was afraid of breaking the original phone given the force required to insert the jack. This is a definite improvement.

Yeah I was just doing some more checking and it seems to be a fairly common issue, but that typically doesn't cause any problems. My charger still works fine and my phone is awesome so I think I will just stick with what I have or use my old htc charger. Good input though.

 

[excalis]

Well, looks like I will be receiving another replacement, the volume rocker is having trouble. When you try to raise the volume, it does not do so and seems like something is getting in the way of it. Pressing down is fine and you can feel it press normally. It is intermittent but afraid it could worsen.

Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk 2

 

[donm527#IM]

yeah but if they sending a replacement while you still have yours, you can evaluate if the replacement is any better than your current and just send back the replacement. i got mine yesterday and love my original... but i find the battery to be running much better and side by side i really think the screen is brighter than my original... so keeping the new.

Update...
just uploaded some songs into my phone and used the headset...
no crackle! and wow it sounds so much clearer than the first phone.
on top of the brighter screen and battery rocking...
I say it was worth the replacement.

You might just want to get an aftermarket charger to replace the LG OEM and keep the phone that you like. It's possible you might get a "lesser" phone if you have to go with the full replacement.


I just checked this out. It is much easier. Was afraid of breaking the original phone given the force required to insert the jack. This is a definite improvement.