Database Develop

Metal bezel and scratches

The Nexus 4 is very likely to be my next phone, replacing my old HTC Desire. Anyway, I have one big concern about the new Nexus.
I have had a LG Device once. It also had a silver-shiny bezel, just like the nexus 4. And exactly this bezel attracted scratches like a magnet. You could barely look at it without producing a scratch. It was kind of like the backside of the old iPod touches (if you know what I mean).
Sounds weird, but this is my biggest concern about the phone till yet. I don't want to have a phone which is scratched all over immediately...
Just my thoughts, anyway....

Seriously?

seriously.Probably sounds a bit crazy, but I have had a really worse experience with this. The mentioned older LG device with the metal bezel looked really awfull after few weeks of usage (and I really took care of where I put it etc.)....like it's been used for a few years already...

theoneofgod said:
Seriously?
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Click to collapse
He has forsaken the worship of Google and expressed an independent thought doubting the perfection of this device! BURN HIM
Seriously though don't those who have handled it say the outside is soft? It sounds like some sort of rubbery plastic not metal. Could be wrong.

Get a case/bumper

eep2378 said:
Get a case/bumper
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Click to collapse
don't think that'd work out for the front of the device...but even if, I'm not a fan of cases at all, why should I buy a many-hundreds-of-dollars/euros-device and than put it into a case for a few dollars/euros? My old phone survived my jeans also pretty well, the screen hasn't any spotable scratch - and it isn't even gorilla glass or anything comparable...

Perfect example of one of the many things duct-tape can fix.
I have no idea how easily the Nexus 4 will scratch. Guess we'll find out.

I don't think its metal, looks like plastic with chrome paint, but yes if metal it can get dings like the iPhone5.

I've also read that it's a rubbery feeling plastic which doesn't seem like it's scratch too easily.
Sent from my PG86100 using Tapatalk 2

eksasol said:
I don't think its metal, looks like plastic with chrome paint, but yes if metal it can get dings like the iPhone5.
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Click to collapse
platic with that chrome paint thing is even worse, it's just like butter. Metal is far better in that kind of stuff, the Desire's frame is some kind of painted metal, too. Got 2 noticable scratches in there, though, but that's not too bad for like 2 and a half years of daily usage with no case...
EDIT:
sporez said:
I've also read that it's a rubbery feeling plastic which doesn't seem like it's scratch too easily.
Sent from my PG86100 using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think that only counts for the black plastik frame, not the silver one

haloimplant said:
He has forsaken the worship of Google and expressed an independent thought doubting the perfection of this device! BURN HIM
Seriously though don't those who have handled it say the outside is soft? It sounds like some sort of rubbery plastic not metal. Could be wrong.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Indeed. Like all other phones are indestructible.

Nascor said:
don't think that'd work out for the front of the device...but even if, I'm not a fan of cases at all, why should I buy a many-hundreds-of-dollars/euros-device and than put it into a case for a few dollars/euros? My old phone survived my jeans also pretty well, the screen hasn't any spotable scratch - and it isn't even gorilla glass or anything comparable...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
the bumper is slightly raised on the front and in the back to help protect. not guaranteed. i hate cases as well, however, i think i will be giving a bumper a try.

Yeah, I don't like the chrome ring either. My old Vibrant had it and it looked terrible after a couple of months. The paint started to chip and made the phone look really old. Plus it's kind of an outdated design cue. The N4 would have looked much more sleek without it.
Even in Google's promo shots the ring looks black, not silver. Looks much nicer, IMO.

You could always paint the silver ring black like many nexus 7 users have done
Sent from my Desire HD using xda app-developers app

manlisten said:
Even in Google's promo shots the ring looks black, not silver. Looks much nicer, IMO.
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Click to collapse
found that pretty interesting, too. Don't they like their own phone? On Googles pics, chrome thing is almost invisible, while on hands on shots you can clearly see it:
https://play.google.com/store/devices/details?id=nexus_4_16gb
VS
http://www.theverge.com/2012/10/29/3569540/google-nexus-4-preview-price-release-date

sassyness77 said:
You could always paint the silver ring black like many nexus 7 users have done
Sent from my Desire HD using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
but you would have a deformed phone :cyclops:

I'm not a fan of the tacky fake chrome, but I'll probably just get a case/bumper for it anyway.

Wait to see how it is constructed, I normally just let my phones get scratched on their cases and then when come to selling just buy the parts and replace them, it's always as cheap as buying cases.

Bump for awareness. Someone please reply if you know about the quality/material/durability of the bezel. The strange thing is that they designed the bezel like that, to make sure the screen is safe, when put down. One would think that they made it out of a durable material/finish.
Edit: I'm quite sure that it's impossible to replace parts, when damaged. Since the battery door is sealed, I reckon you're f****d when you drop your phone and the bezel gets scratched up. This could be an issue to me, for sure.

gideonMorrison said:
Edit: I'm quite sure that it's impossible to replace parts, when damaged. Since the battery door is sealed, I reckon you're f****d when you drop your phone and the bezel gets scratched up. This could be an issue to me, for sure.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It looks like the back cover is held on only with two screws. Standard screws not some proprietary kind. So in theory (without actually having a device to work with) it should be possible to easily replace the back cover assuming you found a new one. The back cover on this phone has all sorts of circuitry built into it so it might be quite difficult to find a new one.
It is also possible that the warranty sticker is on the bottom of that back cover, so when you take it off you rip off the warranty sticker. We will have to wait for a teardown to see if this is the case.

First Scratch test!!!

enjoy!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TAExzHJIHHE

Wow, I cringed when he used the box cutter. I was sure it would leave a few scratches. Thats awesome. Im still getting protectors for the front and back though lol

Yea you're right to be careful, my S3 was supposedly scratch resistant, scratch tested with box cutters etc yet still got a huge load of scratches on the screen. Apparently sand/dust in your pockets is the cause (has to be, never dropped it or anything)

I don't know why these videos exist, they test objects that everyone knows will not scratch the screen,
Metal is softer than normal glass, let along toughened mobile phone glass.

Most people do not realize that. My mother for instance puts paper towels on her counter beneath wood cutting plates so the wood doesn't scratch the stone. lol
Plus, there are people here that are complaining about getting magical scratches and breakage.. It would be good for them to watch...
sent via xda premium with nexus 7

Rusty! said:
I don't know why these videos exist, they test objects that everyone knows will not scratch the screen,
Metal is softer than normal glass, let along toughened mobile phone glass.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
True ... bus has we have soooo many people in here complaining that the phone scratches by himself ... without any object at all ... this test seems fair to me.
The conclusion is ... please fill your pockets with keys, coins and the nexus4 ... it will be safer than to walk with the phone alone in the pocket ...

hdsousa said:
True ... bus has we have soooo many people in here complaining that the phone scratches by himself ... without any object at all ... this test seems fair to me.
The conclusion is ... please fill your pockets with keys, coins and the nexus4 ... it will be safer than to walk with the phone alone in the pocket ...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Isn't it a little contradictory? These videos can't scratch either the back or the screen. But here, people are having scratches out of nowhere. This confuses a potential buyer (like me).
What should I do? Should I buy one?

They're not getting 'scratches out of nowhere' they just don't know how they did it.
Little tiny bits of grit will scratch any bit of glass.

R3ACTOR4 said:
Isn't it a little contradictory? These videos can't scratch either the back or the screen. But here, people are having scratches out of nowhere. This confuses a potential buyer (like me).
What should I do? Should I buy one?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Dust particles or sand make the most scratches from what I can tell. I think you should buy it, I will when I have the chance.
But I'll also get a satchel or something I can keep it in.

Yea people complaining about dust scratching their phone have a defective phone or just really bad luck somehow

myorks1127 said:
Yea people complaining about dust scratching their phone have a defective phone or just really bad luck somehow
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
what? No its the opposite dude, dust can contain sand... sand is hard enough to scratch class.
metal is too soft, keys are too soft, they'll never scratch gorilla glass

Cool. Drop test?
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda app-developers app

you can find it on youtube
Inviato dal mio LG-P920

I frequently carry loose diamonds/rubies/emeralds in my pockets

I want a sandblast test.

its scarachable alright..
i was at a casino i had couple chips in my pocket.. that night i was a lil buzzed but i do remember everything.. my N4 got a scratch on the back from the chip.. the reason i know its from the chip was because the color was kinda embeded into the back cover.. not embeded literally but u get the meaning..

Androd - A true story. said:
i was at a casino i had couple chips in my pocket.. that night i was a lil buzzed but i do remember everything.. my N4 got a scratch on the back from the chip.. the reason i know its from the chip was because the color was kinda embeded into the back cover.. not embeded literally but u get the meaning..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So how much did you lose man?

666fff said:
So how much did you lose man?
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Click to collapse
LOL.
On topic, this is actually confusing for a buyer lol, "random" scratches just seem unlikely to affect the phone..
Sent from my Koodo SII X (T989D)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nlgG33n71m0&feature=youtube_gdata_player
For anyone who is interested the link above is a drop test. Not English. German or Austrian I think.
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda app-developers app

nic85 said:
enjoy!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TAExzHJIHHE
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Stopped at 0:10 when the camera is CONSTANTLY out of focus.

Metal frame design change

Here's the deal, I had an iPhone 3gs long time ago. That shiny metal frame around the screen was just not for me. I tought : "Why not brush this thing up?" I asked my friend Google (maybe in 2009) and did it. Just amazing.
What do you guys think about doing that on the nexus 4 ?

file it down to black maybe.. mines already dented.. looks really ugly! unless i paint it 0.0

If you want to, go for it. I'm also one of those that took some sandpaper to the chrome bezel because I also thought it was always scuffed pretty bad after normal use, and after doing that it looked awesome. Also helped with the resale value back when I got my first android device (Infuse 4G).
Main thing about the N4 though, to its benefit the shiny trim is a dark chrome, which imo looks right, plus mine is covered up by my case for the time I had it thus far and she hasn't got beat up too bad yet.
I say go for it, if it looks sweet, you'll probably be the founder of this technique and have a bunch of people follow. If not, it'll still be unique.

Result
I did a little bit at the corner just to see how is it under the chrome. I'm sad it's plastic. Anyway here are some pics of how it looks like under the
https://docs.google.com/file/d/0BxQ1eQGIPLftcVRCRmx6cTBHdzA/edit?usp=sharing
https://docs.google.com/file/d/0BxQ1eQGIPLftUE5UaGIzVG1qTUE/edit?usp=sharing

Why would you want to screw up such a shinny bazel?
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda premium

Underground_XI said:
Why would you want to screw up such a shinny bazel?
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I thougt it was an aluminium frame. I prefer brushed or anodised aluminium. That's what I did with my old iPhone 3GS long time ago, it was beatiful.

:thumbdown:
Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk 2

I think it will sorta ruin the look''' maybe file it down to black? Because the chrome on the nexus 4 looks nice and fitting but if its dented or scratched like mine. You could try
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda app-developers app

you can tell something is metal or not from the temperature difference, the bezel is plastic because its not cold, aluminum would be especially cold

ouch that looks horrible.. worse than any minor scratching/nicks you might have already had.. now it looks like garbage

idividebyzero said:
you can tell something is metal or not from the temperature difference, the bezel is plastic because its not cold, aluminum would be especially cold
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Damn, you're right, forgot this "detail". Prick I am.
ingenious247 said:
ouch that looks horrible.. worse than any minor scratching/nicks you might have already had.. now it looks like garbage
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Click to collapse
Dude, wait! it's only a little corner I didn't sand papered all the frame.

eh.. just do the whole thing now and give it a custom paint job.
like red and then get the red leather dbrand skin for the back.. something like that

Dropped my phone, bezel down from about 1 metre. Totally squashed the bezel, my phone has a 'lip' now, thanks to the bezel that got squashed. Great way to protect my front camera

I always thought of Rhino-lining a phone, but I never got around it.

ismethajametovic said:
I always thought of Rhino-lining a phone, but I never got around it.
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Click to collapse
What do you mean about rhino-lining ?

There's this company that makes super tough protectors, it's called Rhino-something. It's so tough that it protects against drops and glass cracking and all.
I think so.

ismethajametovic said:
I always thought of Rhino-lining a phone, but I never got around it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
After a little research : http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=753781
Man, are you kiding ?

That's what people use as an alternative to protect their trucks bed instead of the plastic liner. Its what I got in mine(different brand). I've seen a truck had the whole paint job done with it... looks closer to a slight textured matte finish. The phone in that link was crap. If you do want something like this on your phone, look for the ones than have less texture/clumps. Speedliner is smoother and they also sell spray cans of that stuff at the auto parts store.

fegone said:
After a little research : http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=753781
Man, are you kiding ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Looks dope to me. Now, that thing can survive an nuclear blast.

ismethajametovic said:
Looks dope to me. Now, that thing can survive an nuclear blast.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
so can this, and it doesn't look nearly as awful!
yeah, bulk is definitely added, but if you're that worried about protecting your phone, it's worth it.

[Q] Question for black HTC One owners who don`t use cases.

Hi.
I have a question for u guys.
I really like the design of the phone and hate to bulk it up with case so i`m planning to use it naked.
The question is: how good the device hold up against scratches and chipping since i`ve seen what happen to black iphones after a while.
Thanks in advance.

Glezz said:
Hi.
I have a question for u guys.
I really kije the design of the phone and hate to bulk it up with case so i`m planning to use it naked.
The question is how good the devise hold up against scratches and chipping since i`ve seen what happen to black iphones after a while.
Thanks in advance.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sadly, the paint chips around the edges if you're not that careful - not that much, but tiny specks of silver

Using it with out case.... like it a lot over silver version.Forget about chipping get it for looks

Glezz said:
[Q] Question for black HTC One owners who don`t use cases.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm not black, but I have a friend who is black and he owns an HTC One. I'll ask him.

Don't drop it.

Glezz said:
Hi.
I have a question for u guys.
I really like the design of the phone and hate to bulk it up with case so i`m planning to use it naked.
The question is: how good the device hold up against scratches and chipping since i`ve seen what happen to black iphones after a while.
Thanks in advance.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have been using it black since 6th July and without cover and no marks at all but I m the one never keep the phone down or at some ruff place always keep something like paper pad or on cloth to male sure it does not get any scratches
.

123hiten said:
I have been using it black since 6th July and without cover and no marks at all but I m the one never keep the phone down or at some ruff place always keep something like paper pad or on cloth to male sure it does not get any scratches
.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Don`t it loose color on the edges when u put it in and out of pocket all the time ?

I've had it for almost 3 months now, and I do have some silver spots on the back. Also one little dent.
The look is totally worth it TBH ;p
also, most of the silver spots on the back were actually caused by sand that got between the case and the phone in the first week haven't been using cases since.
Another thing, I've heard a black permanent marker actually hides the spots, but I have yet to try this.

No scratches here! 2 months.
Sent from my HTC One using xda premium

Get 0.5mm ultra slim case from Ebay

Do you have a link
Sent from my HTCONE using xda app-developers app

kegar said:
Do you have a link
Sent from my HTCONE using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There are many of them, for example:
www[dot]ebay[dot]com/itm/Semi-Frost-0-3mm-Hard-TPU-Gel-Skin-Case-Cover-for-HTC-One-M7-Multi-Colors-select/231003060155?rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.m1851&_trkparms=aid%3D222002%26algo%3DSIC.FIT%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D261%26meid%3D38579747313259979%26pid%3D100005%26prg%3D1088%26rk%3D2%26rkt%3D5%26sd%3D200922770357%26
But i still prefer naked....

Glezz said:
Don`t it loose color on the edges when u put it in and out of pocket all the time ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No

just use a pouch http://www.mobilemadhouse.co.uk/con...1202_black_htc_one_pu_leather_pouch_case.jpeg
you will have a zero scratch naked phone when you use it :good:

Glezz said:
Hi.
I have a question for u guys.
I really like the design of the phone and hate to bulk it up with case so i`m planning to use it naked.
The question is: how good the device hold up against scratches and chipping since i`ve seen what happen to black iphones after a while.
Thanks in advance.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have the black and i'd say that the phone holds up fairly well when exposed to things that might scratch it
the phone's metal does not scratch that easily but the bezel of the metal acrually scratches fairly easily, so a bumbper might be of use but the phone is still usable. The back is also fairy easy to scrath if you use sandpaper and press it really hard but if its not scratched there might be a few marks that can be rubbed away easily using the right adhesive. Hope this helped! and also use a screen protector the glass is not gorrilla glass 3

I've got 2 small chips on the edge of mine, I've tried 2 different markers but both rubbed off eventually and they were slightly different shades as well. I have a nillkin hard cover on mine which doesn't add too much thickness
Sent from my HTC One using Tapatalk 4 Beta

Glezz said:
Don`t it loose color on the edges when u put it in and out of pocket all the time ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So far I haven't noticed any such marks
.

can I fix these scratches?

Unfortunately I got drunk the other day and the next morning I noticed a couple silver dots / a couple small nicks in the circled area below. I can feel them a bit with my finger nail. I tried to cover it up using a permanent marker but it looks like crap. Any way to fix it?

Here's what it pretty much looks like up close.

Please stop this nonsense !
Sent from my Galaxy Note8 using XDA Labs

DeMi-GoD said:
Unfortunately I got drunk the other day and the next morning I noticed a couple silver dots / a couple small nicks in the circled area below. I can feel them a bit with my finger nail. I tried to cover it up using a permanent marker but it looks like crap. Any way to fix it?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I cannot see the scratches in your photos, maybe you can try this: https://www.amazon.com/DISPLEX-Scra...pID=51jsbOhc71L&preST=_SY300_QL70_&dpSrc=srch, it did a pretty good job for me hiding some light/medium scratches on the screen.
Cheers~

" Black black black black No. 1 "
nail polish.
or get one of those car paint repair pens. its a 2 in one paint and clear coat varnish pen.

Dejan Sathanas said:
Please stop this nonsense !
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Click to collapse
Lmao.

That looks terrible. Hopefully you'll find a solution to this problem very soon. Must be heart breaking having had to wait so long for you Note 8 then this occurring due to a slight "hiccup".
Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk

Limeybastard said:
That looks terrible. Hopefully you'll find a solution to this problem very soon. Must be heart breaking having had to wait so long for you Note 8 then this occurring due to a slight "hiccup".
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
-Rip DeMi-GoD phone.

cases are a life saver.

bober10113 said:
" Black black black black No. 1 "
nail polish.
or get one of those car paint repair pens. its a 2 in one paint and clear coat varnish pen.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, I thought of this too. My concern is that it wouldn't blend and would have two different looking spots just like the marker did.

Dejan Sathanas said:
Please stop this nonsense !
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nonsense? Stop trying to make me seem crazy for wanting to fix a defective spot on a 1k phone. You realize people get chips fixed in their expensive cars? Obviously I just have a higher standard for things I own than the typical person here.

DeMi-GoD said:
Yeah, I thought of this too. My concern is that it wouldn't blend and would have two different looking spots just like the marker did.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
tape out both sides of the led light/lens and finger print reader as to only have the small 'bridge' between the two sections where your scratches are nit taped. tape off also bottom and top where the camera section meets the body of the phone. make nice and straight tape lines. then paint and varnish the exposed section . it will be barely visible if you do a good tape job. paint black wait for it to be dry enought then , varnish and remove tape after a few minutes when the varnish is still a bit soft. then for the love of god get a case.

bober10113 said:
tape out both sides of the led light/lens and finger print reader as to only have the small 'bridge! between the two sections where your scratches are and tape off also bottom and top. then paint and varnish. it will be barely visible if you do a good tape job. then for the love of god get a case.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'll give it a try. And I've had a unicorn beetle case on it since day 1. I also kept on the back protector that it comes with, put on a screen protector, and even put narrow strips of clear packing tape on the right left and top bezel/frame of the phone and then put it into the case. The camera/finger print area is the only unprotected area on my phone. I actually just now put a piece of scotch tape over the fingerprint reader to protect it from scratches and it still works perfectly.

must have been real unlucky to had it dinged just at the wrong place.

That's what happens when you get arrested for public intox and cops confiscate your phone and put it in a bag with your keys.

So should I paint the whole "bridge" or just the two nicks?

DeMi-GoD said:
So should I paint the whole "bridge" or just the two nicks?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
maybe the whole thing as it might be less apparent and more cimetric. you could also paint the whole thin bezel to. might protect against future alcohol related endeavours.

I might paint the whole thing. Could I actually make it look as good as it originally is? What do you think about taping it off and spray painting? Idk how to tape off the curved edges of the camera/finger print reader.

DeMi-GoD said:
I might paint the whole thing. Could I actually make it look as good as it originally is? What do you think about taping it off and spray painting? Idk how to tape off the curved edges of the camera/finger print reader.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
spray paint on such a small surface... i dont know. put at least 3 coats. each coat must be thin and uniform. spray at a far distance.
painting on smooth surfaces usualy requires an enameled paint. U need a paint that will resist chipping and that will cure hard.
https://plaidonline.com/brands/folkart/enamels
as for your taping skills then stick to first picture to keep things simple and straight lined.
you could also use a wide tape and cut out the sections with a sharp razor that you need to paint.
when using multiple coats you need to wait a bit between each so it dries enough. keep in mind you still need to have the total coats to be flexible enough so when you remove tape that it will be removed easily and not chip the section you just painted. maybe practice on a piece of glass before.
anyways just be sure surface is grease free before painting.

bober10113 said:
" Black black black black No. 1"
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Click to collapse
https://youtu.be/vFwYJYl5GUQ