What is that small tiny circle on my Lumia's Gorilla Glass?

[Luminator55]

I happened to see this tiny dot/circle on my Lumia 830 (third replacement). I thought that it was a smudge or a dust speck and tried to wipe it off. But it looks that it was engraved while manufacturing. Though it is not visible, I kinda notice it after smudging the area with my thumb. I tried to take a pic with my DSLR so that it will be of help for you all to help me find out what it is. The circle is so perfect and is barely visible. However, just curious (Or should I be worried?)

I have attached some images here - https://imgur.com/a/TkhZI

 

[gpobernardo]

If I were in your shoes, I would absolutely be bothered by that (checked out your photos)... but I won't really worry about it since it seems to have nothing to do with the functionality of my screen... that is IF it doesn't obstruct any pixels, doesn't have any dead pixels underneath, doesn't have any discoloration within the circle, etc - if it does affect the display, then I would have it replaced (again).

Do you notice any change in surface elevation, i.e. does it catch or snag your finger nail or the edge of a plastic card?

Out of curiosity, were you able to track the IMEI of your L830 replacements? If the circle appears at the same spot for all three phones (and that all those phones were of the same color), it's very likely that they didn't replace your phone at all. One way to check this is through the IMEI - if you happen to have listed the IMEI of your previous L830s, you can compare it with the one you have now and check if what you're holding is indeed a replacement phone.

You will be able to post hyperlinks in your next post.

P.S. Whatever you do, don't attempt to scrub it off with a cleaning solution as this may damage the oleophobic coating of the screen.

 

[Luminator55]

Do you notice any change in surface elevation, i.e. does it catch or snag your finger nail or the edge of a plastic card?

Out of curiosity, were you able to track the IMEI of your L830 replacements?

I replaced my previous phones due to other reasons. Not this. And to elaborate on the dot, it doesn't appear to be interfering with the display at all. It looks like it is there on purpose. (The image attached doesn't represent the actual view of the eye. I exaggerated it for reference purposes.) I tried scrubbing it with finger nails and cards, it is not interfering either.

 

[gpobernardo]

Alright (on the other reasons).

If it's not interfering in any way and if it is not as noticeable as it was in the photos, and since scrubbing with softer-than-Moh's-scale-7 materials didn't remove the circle, it could just be a factory defect with the glass, albeit potentially not a serious one. There's a chance, however, that the screen may not be homogeneous - hence dropping the phone may break the screen more easily if that circle is a weak spot.

These are all just my speculations. If the circle bothers you, have your L830 replaced (if it's still covered by some warranty). If it doesn't, let it be.

 

[JohnStrk]

I also have this tiny dot/circle hole in the glass on my 830. It's just below the Windows home button. I assumed it was by design and just a sensor or microphone.

 

[RumoredNow]

Post was duplicated.

Threads merged...

I also have this tiny dot/circle hole in the glass on my 830. It's just below the Windows home button. I assumed it was by design and just a sensor or microphone.

John, sounds like you are talking about the microphone. That is normal.

The pics show something else entirely and now that the threads are merged the top post has a valid link to images.

 

[JohnStrk]

Oops sorry I should have viewed that image first. Yeah that is something else entirely.