This is the worst phone I've had (even worse than my Z1c where after 14months, I dropped <1m height cracking its front glass making it unresponsive and had to be replaced for half the cost I bought the entire phone). I bought the unit from Sony store Plazuela, Iloilo and is now 13 months used. Here are my issues with Z3c:
1) customer service: I'm based in Iloilo and they have no Xperia repair shop here so they have to have it sent to Manila for repairs and will take 1 month! They do have Xperia shop in Cebu though where I not so often travel to.more service issues below
2) microUSB, microSD cover: after 2months of use, the rubber gasket of the cover for microUSB, microSD got loose and eventually detached so I have to get the entire cover replaced in Cebu for 300PHP (I left my receipt in Iloilo). the new cover lasted for 3months until it had the same issue with the first one so now the phone has exposed microUSB and microSD slots.
3) 3.5mm jack: stopped working after 5mo. been settling for expensive bluetooth headphones since then..
4) primary camera: had the back camera glass cover slightly scratched after 5mo thus producing much worse photos than the front camera..
5) unresponsive screen: i've read several similar ongoing issues on this; mine however is only on the top screen (so far), about 5mm width which renders dropdown for notifications impossible along with other app functions. I have to tilt the phone in landscape mode to access some functions. this started after 6mo use.
6) screens detached: also read of this several similar cases. happened after 8mo, glass screens both front and back started to pop out, the adhesives for these seem to have lost their grips. sent it to Xperia Cebu where i was told that its a "physical damage" thus is not covered by warranty and will cost 900PHP. well technically this is a chemical damage where heat may have caused the adhesives lose their functions. of course there would not have been any need for repair in the first place had they used good quality materials..
I love these compact models as there seems to be no similar type, in the Phils. at least, with compact easy one-hand use, water resistant (ip67/8 for sony after fewmonths is a gimmick and will cost you greatly for believing it), good specs (processor, etc), plus the lanyard hole which for me is significantly important. still i've had enough of sony and now saving up for an S7
Is there something you needed help with?
Related
So I have had the Z3 Compact since first week of release and from day 1, it had a tiny chip (could call it a nic) on the leading edge of the front bezel just above the magnetic port. I decided to keep it, but the number of these indentations has increased to 12.
One of these nics has flaked further to almost 2mm diameter by the top left corner.
All of the marks are on the front leading long bezel, both sides.
I always put my phone in a pocket without other items
I always lie my phone face up.
I don't use any kind of stands or holders in the car
No other phone (Moto X, Nexus 5, Nexus 4, Razr I) has ever suffered anything like this.
There are no marks on the back or front faces (cheap screen protectors on both, which usually scratch/mark easily)
I suspect its poor adhesion of the top black paint layer on the bezel, but cannot prove it obviously.
I can send it back to Sony, but they may say its not manufacturing fault and thus charge me £25 for sending it back without repairing (I find this disgraceful)
I have little experience with Sony customer service or care so it's a risk I don't really want to take.
Question, has anyone elses phone suffered in a similar way?
Or have positive (or negative) experience with Sony UK?
Thanks in advance.
You can send it back to Sony, most of the times they charge you with shipping costs yup.
Manufacturing error or not, but also try to look from their side, if it were easy to get your device repaired without costs or even replaced, more people would do it, even if it was their mistake.
So in the end they can't just believe everyone.
They will repair it when you send them, but thy might ask for repairing fees.
I'm noticing the same thing. I keep the phone in my pocket as well, but I do keep it with a leather keyholder (pretty soft leather), so I'm surprised that there are any chips/nicks at all. I actually have 3 right now, first one in just about the same place as you (above the magnetic charging port), a smaller one above the power button, and the last one in the bottom right corner of the phone.
I always assumed the metal bezels on these phones was powder-coated aluminum, which is pretty tough. Anyone know what is actually is?
Dsteppa said:
You can send it back to Sony, most of the times they charge you with shipping costs yup.
Manufacturing error or not, but also try to look from their side, if it were easy to get your device repaired without costs or even replaced, more people would do it, even if it was their mistake.
So in the end they can't just believe everyone.
They will repair it when you send them, but thy might ask for repairing fees.
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Yes I understand that, but I know that these ever increasing faults are not of my doing, but I cannot prove it.. Therefore, it is possible (maybe probable) that Sony will offer an expensive repair or simply send it back with the total cost to me being close to £30.
pipspeak said:
I always assumed the metal bezels on these phones was powder-coated aluminum, which is pretty tough. Anyone know what is actually is?
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I believe they are painted plastic but I might be wrong.
I've said before that this is one of the few annoyances I have with the build quality of this phone. The Z3 doesn't have the front and back plastic bezels as the metal frame attaches directly to the front and back glass. I don't mind the transparent plastic on the sides of the Z3C but I don't like that they needed to use plastic front and back bezels.
To answer the OP's question, i also have light scuffs and small chips on the front plastic bezel of my Z3C but the back is near perfect at the moment. If I'd have known the build quality in these areas was lacking I'd have waited until I had a case before i used it but it's too late now.
I've decided to return the phone for repair (hopefully under warranty) and have ordered several cases (I usually do this once I am satisfied that the phone is a keeper). Will keep you posted.
Hi
My phone fell on concrete and landed on the corner closest to the rear camera. It's damaged it quite badly, with most of the area closest to impact now cracked into small fragments, and the cracked lines extend all across the rear of the phone. Thankfully the front is not damaged and the camera and flash still work fine.
Does anyone have a rough idea of what it would cost to repair the back? I'm considering sending it to Sony UK, but would be interested in knowing about any others that offer authorised repairs. My warranty is due to run out in December, so I may look into 3rd party specialists who can guarantee a repair that would maintain waterproof features of the phone.
Cheers
It would probably run you around below 100 dollars. When the back panel is broken and according to you dropping it on a concrete ground, the whole back panel needs to be replaced, my price estimate could also increase alot if the camera sensor is damaged as well.
If you decide to bring it to "after market" fixers, you could get it repaired cheaper but chances are they don't have the sealant used to restore waterproofing after the back panel has been opened.
Amazon
Hi, just look for Amazon products, my back glass broke 1 month ago and i fixed it myself and it's quite easy, u just have to buy the replacement from amazon, mine cost 15€ (10$) and it's original, i just unsticked the old one and replaced with the spare part, it's 5 minutes work, good luck :good:
Sony can't/won't give me a quote for replacing the back without sending my phone back in, something I won't do just to get a quote, so opted to try my luck with OEM parts from other sources. From eBay, I bought an OEM rear glass with adhesive, suction cups and some guitar picks, for grand total of £15. I've seen some videos online and it seems very simple. Next up, sourcing a hair dryer to soften the glue
@stanciuvlad11: How's the waterproofness holding up, did you test it?
As stanciuvlad11 mentions it is very easy to do it yourself. Just buy on eBay the back glass (some $10) and the sticking tape (some $3) and look any of the several video tutorials.
At the end you can check that the device still hermetic by typing *#*#7378423#*#* then tap on Service Tests > Pressure Sensor and press in the middle of the front screen to see if the milibar increases
Should the pressure change or not when waterproof?
The pressure increases when it is waterproof. The rationale is that when you apply pressure in the center of the screen the air within the phone cannot escape (it is hermetic) so the pressure increases. You can observe up to some 20-30milibar increase.
If you open one of the tabs or simply the phone is not properly sealed the milibar displayed does not show any movement with your finger pressuring the screen.
I have read lots of threads and comments on the Internet regarding screen cracking on the z3c but most are dating back to early 2015.
As I am now considering buying a Z3C does anyone know if improvements have been made by Sony to address these issues for the 2016 models?
Thanks for any comments.
Nothing has changed. On the bright side, replacing said-glass is very cheap and easy to do. On the minus-side. Say bye-bye to any form of water-resistance. This long with the Z3C: I've grown to accept this phone won't be water-resistant unless I use a case because the seals and IP-68 rating is only for fresh-water and the rating completely depends on the ability of flap-seals and sealant of the back cover to to do its job. I hope I can convince you to disregard water-resistance factor in your purchase. Notably because Sony won't cover any repairs if the damage is a result of water-damage(personal experience). That way, you can swap back glass covers as you please. They go for like $2.
My z3c screens right top corner today unglued. Lasted for about 8 months since purchase, without case, without any water interference. Still under warranty, sending it for repair.
alpha-niner64 said:
Nothing has changed. On the bright side, replacing said-glass is very cheap and easy to do. On the minus-side. Say bye-bye to any form of water-resistance. This long with the Z3C: I've grown to accept this phone won't be water-resistant unless I use a case because the seals and IP-68 rating is only for fresh-water and the rating completely depends on the ability of flap-seals and sealant of the back cover to to do its job. I hope I can convince you to disregard water-resistance factor in your purchase. Notably because Sony won't cover any repairs if the damage is a result of water-damage(personal experience). That way, you can swap back glass covers as you please. They go for like $2.
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Thanks for the reply, if I understand you correctly replacing the back glass is not a big issue and is cheap, but what about the front screen? I did have a quick search around the net and it looks quite complicated and expensive to replace the front one.
Have you done the front one yourself?
Thanks.
vilx01 said:
My z3c screens right top corner today unglued. Lasted for about 8 months since purchase, without case, without any water interference. Still under warranty, sending it for repair.
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Yep, mine has unglued as well, after 7 months of usage (bought it brand new), I am sending it for repair also. When my warranty expires, I will replace case on my own, because I have black one, and I want black screen + white case
bmg777 said:
Thanks for the reply, if I understand you correctly replacing the back glass is not a big issue and is cheap, but what about the front screen? I did have a quick search around the net and it looks quite complicated and expensive to replace the front one.
Have you done the front one yourself?
Thanks.
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I service my own phones often enough to kind of say that replacing your own front screen is easy to do if you're starting out with this phoneYou take out the front-screen the same way you take apart the back screen.. As long as your motherboard components are in good condition like the USB Port, antenna, SIM/MicroSD slots, and the battery(cause this is glued very well to the motheboard), nearly everything on the Z3 Compact is expendable and easily replaceable.
alpha-niner64 said:
I service my own phones often enough to kind of say that replacing your own front screen is easy to do if you're starting out with this phoneYou take out the front-screen the same way you take apart the back screen.. As long as your motherboard components are in good condition like the USB Port, antenna, SIM/MicroSD slots, and the battery(cause this is glued very well to the motheboard), nearly everything on the Z3 Compact is expendable and easily replaceable.
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I've been using Z3C (15W33) since early september and this phone has really rough life. I mean working in very hard conditions (very cold outside > pretty warm inside the house) and I never really cared about it even when I know there are problems with the glass. Also I have a custom s-line case and that's the only protection... I dropped the phone twice or three times...
but it's still running pretty nice and there are no signs of any damage, the glass is more than OK
My Z3 compact used to be waterproof and I used it several times under water, but it went back for a replacement button a while back and recently I dunked it to take a photo and within hours a dead strip appeared on the touch screen, and when plugging a jack into the headphone port results in the volume control fluctuating and music randomly pausing/starting etc.
There is a tiny, tiny chip on the rear screen which I assumed would mean Sony would reject any warranty claim, but having opened the phone, the chip was so tiny it was still outside/on the adhesive. Inside the phone there is no sign of water ingress, but for good measure its left open and sealed in a bag with large desiccant sachets for 72 hours, no improvement.
So, my dilemma is, if I reclose the phone with the replacement back cover I have from ReplaceBase, will Sony be any the wiser that its been cracked open?
(I could buy the LCD and digitiser for £70 but as the headphone port is a different component, I'm wary that this will not resolve the issues Also looking at 'spares or repair' phones on eBay, it seems plenty of them have replacement screens that have lifted or remain proud of the chassis...perhaps this is just lack of care during the replacement but its put me off...)
Spooky_b329 said:
My Z3 compact used to be waterproof and I used it several times under water, but it went back for a replacement button a while back and recently I dunked it to take a photo and within hours a dead strip appeared on the touch screen, and when plugging a jack into the headphone port results in the volume control fluctuating and music randomly pausing/starting etc.
There is a tiny, tiny chip on the rear screen which I assumed would mean Sony would reject any warranty claim, but having opened the phone, the chip was so tiny it was still outside/on the adhesive. Inside the phone there is no sign of water ingress, but for good measure its left open and sealed in a bag with large desiccant sachets for 72 hours, no improvement.
So, my dilemma is, if I reclose the phone with the replacement back cover I have from ReplaceBase, will Sony be any the wiser that its been cracked open?
(I could buy the LCD and digitiser for £70 but as the headphone port is a different component, I'm wary that this will not resolve the issues Also looking at 'spares or repair' phones on eBay, it seems plenty of them have replacement screens that have lifted or remain proud of the chassis...perhaps this is just lack of care during the replacement but its put me off...)
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I think you could probably have got away with sending it back with the screen chipped, it's just wear and tear, the issue was the waterproof feature had failed.
Now you've opened it I think it seems unlikely that you'll get it into a service centre unnoticed, but you won't know until you try. The obvious thing to do would be to put a genuine Sony back cover on the phone rather than a clone. If the service centre spot it then the worst thing that will happen is that they'll ask you for some horrendous amount of money to fix it, to which you'll decline, then they'll send it back.
It will cost you the postage to find out.
Otherwise there's dozens of how to videos on youtube and support from the threads here
Edit: a genuine Sony screen is expensive, but it comes with the double sided gasket that sticks the screen in place. This is the important part of the kit that makes sure it won't lift out. Sometimes it's worth paying the extra for original parts.
Very late update, tried it, it got repaired free and back very quickly, they even refitted the aftermarket rear cover!!
Sony's may be fragile, but my experience for two returns is very positive! Lesson - don't bother trying to fix it yourself until Sony have taken a look!
Spooky_b329 said:
Very late update, tried it, it got repaired free and back very quickly, they even refitted the aftermarket rear cover!!
Sony's may be fragile, but my experience for two returns is very positive! Lesson - don't bother trying to fix it yourself until Sony have taken a look!
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What country?
bookworth said:
What country?
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Yes, would be helpful to know which country... as I am having a hard time with the UK repair people.
They received my phone on 16th Sept. Week later get notified its delayed due to awaiting part. And yet they keep saying the same story everytime I ask and that it is escalated to know why the delay. 5 days since escalation but their support yet gives the sad response of awaiting part.
It was the UK...in my case the fix was prompt. Got be honest, I'd be getting frustrated at that length of delay...
It went back in June so maybe things have changed
It finally left the repair centre on 10th Oct. Says screen and case replaced. Seems fine. KK or Marshmallow is the decision to make now
So I like just about everything about the Sony Z compact line of phones but durability wise I have been unlucky. My first Z3 compact died from water damage and my 2nd one has a screen that is ready to fall off the device.
I choose to buy a HTC U11 to replace my Z3 compact as I have never owned a HTC phone before and thought I would try something different.
What I would like to ask here though is it worth trying to fix the Z3 compact to sell or not?
The only way to protect this phone:
The phone bends 0.1mm causes the phone screen to start opening. So it's not suitable for jeans pockets.
I remedied this by using an anodized aluminium bumper and tempered glass both sides.
Sony does a very bad repair of it's phones, and the issues will return, and their parts are expensive.
It is better to do it yourself and use B7000 glue, use plenty, easily removable for future repairs, no heat, clothes pegs, wait 48 hours before removing pegs or turning on the phone. And look for the best grade of screen with frame, Sony uses two manufacturers for its screens.
My Z3C has a screen that is lifting. This thread and others seem to indicate that fixing the screen is not hard but hardware is not my thing at all...
Would a phone repair place (in a shopping centre) be able to do this kind of repair? Is the phone much different to other phones that people would take in for screen replacements?
I don't care about the loss of waterproofing. The screen isn't even falling out, just lifted in the corner. I don't want to send the phone anywhere and be without it, or have it come back changed in unexpected ways...
a1291762 said:
My Z3C has a screen that is lifting. This thread and others seem to indicate that fixing the screen is not hard but hardware is not my thing at all...
Would a phone repair place (in a shopping centre) be able to do this kind of repair? Is the phone much different to other phones that people would take in for screen replacements?
I don't care about the loss of waterproofing. The screen isn't even falling out, just lifted in the corner. I don't want to send the phone anywhere and be without it, or have it come back changed in unexpected ways...
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Phone shops including Sony themselves have difficulty in repairing this particular phone, I think any phone shop can do this repair, but, they must use the B7000 glue or similar, or silicone, and not the red tape they usually use, it's useless, as this phone can heat up, or the blue z3c ready cut tape is not so good either. And if you get the wrong screen (clone), the colours will not be as good.
Many phone repairers have the clone screens that are thicker than the original.
The screen sometimes is actually bent, along with the body, check on a flat surface.
Always buy a good screen together attached with the body, and never by itself.
So armed with this knowledge and or hardware, you could go talk with a phone repairer... The first 3 times, shop, but maybe the fourth repair, try doing it yourself, it's as easy as opening a PC, just smaller, just follow z3c repair guides and youtube, when you're ready. When attempting to repair the phone, for the very first time, do it over hours, maybe over the weekend, and not one sitting.
If you start loosing patience, leave it for a while etc.
[emoji12]
I got so comfortable with opening my phone, I put extra 0.3mm copper plates on the processor and gpu with Cooler Master Extreme Fusion paste etc. Lol.
But it's good to have an already damaged motherboard to work on.
Z3C LOS Omni Oreo
My screen is still working fine. Just lifting.
I do have some old phones I could practice on, assuming they have the same glass sandwich construction.
I will go look for some videos...
a1291762 said:
My screen is still working fine. Just lifting.
I do have some old phones I could practice on, assuming they have the same glass sandwich construction.
I will go look for some videos...
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Click to collapse
?
Z3C LOS Omni Oreo
I put up with my screen for a long time but eventually the glue gave out and I had no choice. It was good, then bad, but ultimately ok.
I didn't have any trouble taking the glass off the first time because the glue was barely hanging on. I had a look and noticed that the headphone jack's glue was also failing. Probably why it was becoming unreliable. I glued that and reseated the screen cable and it worked fine while sitting there so I glued everything on again.
It was a poor first attempt. I had both too much glue (blobs that leaked out) and not enough to actually seal around much of the screen. No problem. I took the glass off again and glued it again. This time I followed the instructions closer and glued the front screen before connecting the ribbon.
The second gluing was good but something with the ribbon was wrong because it only worked when I pressed on the lower part of the screen. Sigh.
Taking the glass off after a good glue was much harder. I finally got the spudger under the glass but I moved it sideways before removing the suction thing. It was too much pressure for the glass. The good news is that it was the rear glass and only the bottom half shattered. I got the rest off and started on the front.
Now that I knew to be more careful, I got the front off OK. Reseat. Test and working. I glued the front on first again, without disconnecting the cable. Tested and working. I glued the half back I had on (covers the camera).
Its working!
I use a case so the back isn't even a problem, but I ordered a new back from China (cheap). The headphone Jack seems better. I put a new screen protector on. In some ways the phone is rejuvenated.
I was apparently not careful enough when taking off the screen though. I appear to have some marks on my screen now. It's minor, probably won't notice during normal use, but there if you look.
I'm so glad to have my phone back. I've been using an iPhone for the last 3 weeks.
Thanks for the tips.
Edit: The hands free speaker works again too. Bonus