Completely shattered 1520

[anon(9000941)]

Hello all,

Today I had a bit of an accident with my prized Lumia 1520. Owned since late July this year, I got it out my pocket while waiting for a bus this morning and carrying other bags... and it slipped from my grasp, screen-first onto the pavement. I've actually dropped it into the road once before with no consequence and also once in the corridor at school, again with no consequence whatsoever. This time, it is rather different.


It is actually still working fine. The display looks normal, colours are what they should be and touch sensitivity is as responsive as ever. But wow, Gorilla Glass 2 really has shattered. And it is very, very rough to the touch so that it does scratch my fingers using it. And there are tiny particles of glass all across the screen. Some of the cracks are approaching 1mm wide in places.

My real issue is what to do? I'm interested in what you would do if in my place. I am only 15 and simply have insufficient funds to repair it or replace it right now. A quick search shows separating the digitizer from the LCD is near impossible; a complete display assembly costs ?110 on eBay. I simply don't have that money. How much Microsoft would charge I can't imagine.

The phone is functioning fine but it isn't really safe to use. My only other phone is a terrible HTC Desire S... also cracked and infuriatingly slow. The cracks on that were fixed mostly with some toothpaste; I don't think the same will work here. It has completely shattered... but when I picked it up off the ground I thought it would be fine, as it always has been before.

Any advice appreciated,

Ilmiont

 

[Harrie-S]

I am very sorry to hear of your misfortune. But indeed it is very difficult to replace a digitizer only.
What you could try is looking for a defect device with a intact display.
And about the display assembly, they are indeed expensive and if you find one for have the price it is highly likely not an original part. Or in other words if you buy one be sure you get a good quality one.
But if you get a display assembly and you want to repair it by yourself check a few videos. Because a known error after repair is a non functional vibrator.

 

[realwarder]

It's all about how it lands. I feel your pain!

A replacement assembly is best, but yes, they do cost.

 

[awilliams1701]

You said its rough to the touch. You could put on a display protector for really cheap. It won't fix the appearance, but it will let you use it as is while making it easier on your fingers.

 

[anon(9000941)]

You said its rough to the touch. You could put on a display protector for really cheap. It won't fix the appearance, but it will let you use it as is while making it easier on your fingers.

Will it stop small pieces of glass from shifting? As I mentioned, running a finger over it attracts tiny particles of glass. The screen itself still seems to be working fine.


Does anybody know how much this would cost for repair in the UK?

 

[gordonfink]

You can use clear packing tape over the top of it. That will hold the glass in place and let you see through it as well while you save up some money.

 

[Donny James]

Will it stop small pieces of glass from shifting? As I mentioned, running a finger over it attracts tiny particles of glass. The screen itself still seems to be working fine.


Does anybody know how much this would cost for repair in the UK?

It will for most but not all. The edges around the screen are usually still uncovered. Probably best to start saving up now for a replacement part/phone. Oh and once you're all fixed up be sure invest in a good screen protector(possibly tempered glass) and case(for grip), since your fingers are of the buttered kind. :winktongue:

 

[Mattman86]

My wife actually had a bit of an accident with her 1020 a few days ago. She has dropped it on asphalt before and just had to pick bits of the road out of the phone casing. However, a couple mornings ago, she was using it while getting ready for work. It slipped from her had and fell to the carpet. The screen shattered.

We looked online for replacement screens but all of them cost over $150. We have insurance on the phones so we just paid the $100 deductible and her new HTC One M8 is to be delivered today.

 

[anon(9000941)]

Hmm assuming I could acquire a new complete display panel - so LCD, digitizer and glass, is that a doable fix at home? Just replacing the panel. Watching a teardown video in a minute

 

[awilliams1701]

That's basically what a screen protector is.

You can use clear packing tape over the top of it. That will hold the glass in place and let you see through it as well while you save up some money.

 

[awilliams1701]

Its a piece of plastic with a sticky back. It should prevent it from getting any worse and smooth it out. It will not make it look any better, but since you were concerned about price, this will actually work. Someone else mentioned packaging tape. Its the same thing really. It also will do the trick as a temporary fix.

Will it stop small pieces of glass from shifting? As I mentioned, running a finger over it attracts tiny particles of glass. The screen itself still seems to be working fine.


Does anybody know how much this would cost for repair in the UK?

 

[beman39]

or even better I would recommend getting a GLASS screen protector so as not to feel all the cracks under the plastic flimsy screen protector with your fingers.. it will be smooth as glass :wink: but won't help with the "look"

 

[gordonfink]

Hmm assuming I could acquire a new complete display panel - so LCD, digitizer and glass, is that a doable fix at home? Just replacing the panel. Watching a teardown video in a minute

Yes, it is. It's not too hard - just take your time and go slow.

You will probably need some tools, though. These phones require very small Torx screwdrivers. You can't really get them locally, pretty much have to order them online.

 

[themadpoet1]

I recently cracked the glass on my 1520, unfortunately in order to get it fixed you have to pay 260-300 dollars to get the whole screen fixed, it's 3 parts but they can't just replace the glass on front by itself. I took the phone into a local repair shop and they charged me 284 after tax, but the phone was acting up severely after they replaced the screen. I took it in for another tweaking and it still wouldn't work quite right. I would avoid paying money to fix the screen and just buy another one and make sure you have insurance on the phone with your carrier.

 

[gordonfink]

Replacing the whole LCD assembly isn't very hard. Replacing just the outer glass is very difficult.

Doing the former can fix your phone. Doing the latter can ruin it.

Your shop doesn't sound too trustworthy.

 

[Xeeynamo]

I'm really sorry too see that. I really discourage you to try to replace the glass. I tried too with my screen that was broken and I needed to remove every single piece of glass separately. At the end, you get a scratched LCD due to shattered glass (or not working, as happens to me). Buy a complete screen+lcd, it's much easier to replace everything. If you want to do this alone, remember that a lot of us now has the vibration motor that it's not working (http://forums.windowscentral.com/no...-working-after-lcd-assembly-replacment.html); be careful and let us know
PS. Where did you found it at 110?? I'm interested too

 

[BaritoneGuy]

I had the exact same problem in that it appeared that only the top glass was damaged. However my repair guy wouldn't even attempt to fix just the glass. He would only replace the whole assembly. It was not cheap about $250 Canadian but it has worked perfectly since then. I also verified for sure that it was the OEM part that he used.

I also bought the OEM flip case as well. It adds almost zero bulk and has saved me more than once since then. It seems these larger screens are more succptible to damage than the smaller screens. I had dropped my Ativ S a bunch of times and nary a scratch. The 1520 from 2 feet and bam.

​

 

[pulkit10]

I had the exact same problem in that it appeared that only the top glass was damaged. However my repair guy wouldn't even attempt to fix just the glass. He would only replace the whole assembly. It was not cheap about $250 Canadian but it has worked perfectly since then. I also verified for sure that it was the OEM part that he used.

I also bought the OEM flip case as well. It adds almost zero bulk and has saved me more than once since then. It seems these larger screens are more succptible to damage than the smaller screens. I had dropped my Ativ S a bunch of times and nary a scratch. The 1520 from 2 feet and bam.

​

Where did you find this guy in Canada? I'm in Calgary and have had no luck. Nokia Canada just raised their hands in the air and said "we don't have the components to repair your phone" even after I told them it didn't matter if they charged me $300.

Also, where did you find the OEM part? Have had not a whole lot of luck on eBay...

I think the problem is mostly how the phone is put together. The whole unibody construction results in a solid design but makes the phone weaker. Almost all phones I've had with removable components (Samsungs, old Nokias, HTCs) have been tanks and all these new unibody ones (iPhones, Lumias) are fragile.

 

[anon(9000941)]

This is interesting... almost certainly not a suggested idea, but I noticed that my screen has been getting progressively smoother just leaving it in a warm room. I placed it under a weak radiator for a while last night (~2 hours) and it isn't so rough any more. I don't think I'll do any more though. Don't really want to spread toothpaste all over it yet though :/

 

[anon(9000941)]

PS. Where did you found it at 110?? I'm interested too

I can't post links, still new around here. Type "lumia 1520 display" into eBay UK. There are several, the most legit one looking to me is ?109.99 with 21 sold. Seller has >99% feedback (mumui0909)