Bad new design for screen & body assembly vs previous Lumias

Went to telstra shop to play with the L920 again and I was looking at the FFC to see if there is dust under there as some users have reported – no problem with the demo unit.

However, I've noticed that the screen is seated differently into the body than the L900, L800 and also the N9. The L920 has an extra trim/gasket/bezel around the screen and there is a very visible gap between this trim/gasket/bezel and the polycarbonate body. In the previous lumias and N9, the glass flows straight underneath the body with almost no gap.

Upon noticing this, I've tried to fit my finger nail to see the extent of this gap and my nail went in and I can see the polycarbonate bend outwards from the screen due to the pressure. I've then attempted to do the same with my N9 and wasn't able to do so at all. There is no way I can fit anything into the gap between screen and body.

I've had my N9 for 1 year now and there is hardly any dirt between screen and body due to this solid construction. Can anyone with a L920 comment on this? Is anyone seeing trapped dirt after a week or 2 of daily use? It's screaming bad design and dirt magnet to me! Does anyone know why nokia went with a different construction for the screen? It seem to be such a step backwards! I've noticed one thread on http://forums.wpcentral.com/nokia-lu...es-screen.html this but didn't have many replies.



I'm so keen to buy the L920 but still wishes to wait until quality-control improves hardware wise.

Some things are vastly improved over the N9 though, designwise.

Iunno, though. Never tried that on my 920.

I can confirm that it is very possible to have dust/debris/dirt trapped into these gaps, however this is something very minor and is by no means impossible to clean. Also it is definitely NOT a poor "quality-control" issue as it is not a defect of any kind - but more likely an inherent flaw in the design. So basically if this is a dealbreaker for you, you will probably never buy a L920 as it is unlikely for this to change.

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Originally Posted by rexii23

Went to telstra shop to play with the L920 again and I was looking at the FFC to see if there is dust under there as some users have reported – no problem with the demo unit.

However, I've noticed that the screen is seated differently into the body than the L900, L800 and also the N9. The L920 has an extra trim/gasket/bezel around the screen and there is a very visible gap between this trim/gasket/bezel and the polycarbonate body. In the previous lumias and N9, the glass flows straight underneath the body with almost no gap.

Upon noticing this, I've tried to fit my finger nail to see the extent of this gap and my nail went in and I can see the polycarbonate bend outwards from the screen due to the pressure. I've then attempted to do the same with my N9 and wasn't able to do so at all. There is no way I can fit anything into the gap between screen and body.

I've had my N9 for 2 years now and there is hardly any dirt between screen and body due to this solid construction. Can anyone with a L920 comment on this? Is anyone seeing trapped dirt after a week or 2 of daily use? It's screaming bad design and dirt magnet to me! Does anyone know why nokia went with a different construction for the screen? It seem to be such a step backwards! I've noticed one thread on http://forums.wpcentral.com/nokia-lu...es-screen.html this but didn't have many replies.

I'm so keen to buy the L920 but still wishes to wait until quality-control improves hardware wise.

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why did telstra use White as their demo model?????.ahah.. :unhappy:. its prolly a common build quality defect on 1st batch models. Try heading to harvey norman to see if their stock has the same problem. I've 2 black L920 that came in yesterday and have till next week to decide whether to take them or the 8x.

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Originally Posted by jontay02

why did telstra use White as their demo model?????.ahah.. :unhappy:. its prolly a common build quality defect on 1st batch models. Try heading to harvey norman to see if their stock has the same problem. I've 2 black L920 that came in yesterday and have till next week to decide whether to take them or the 8x.

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Of course you take a nokia. Nokia music, city lens and maps. Htc is a lighter that's all... :amaze:

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Originally Posted by ninnnnnja

I can confirm that it is very possible to have dust/debris/dirt trapped into these gaps, however this is something very minor and is by no means impossible to clean. Also it is definitely NOT a poor "quality-control" issue as it is not a defect of any kind - but more likely an inherent flaw in the design. So basically if this is a dealbreaker for you, you will probably never buy a L920 as it is unlikely for this to change.

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Sorry I didn't make myself clear, by quality-control issues I was actually referring to other hardware issues such as creaking, vibrator rattle, loose component rattle, dust in FFC and not this new design for screen & body construction. I am still concerned about this and would like to hear what everyone has to say on it. Yes I'm accepting that it is an inherent flaw in design, but it's not a dealbreaker.

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why did telstra use White as their demo model?????.ahah.. . its prolly a common build quality defect on 1st batch models. Try heading to harvey norman to see if their stock has the same problem. I've 2 black L920 that came in yesterday and have till next week to decide whether to take them or the 8x.

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I'm struggling to find anyone that has anything in stock or have demo units. Let me know what you think of the black L920 vs the telstra demo ones.

Ahhhh... the scientific fingernail in the demo unit test.

Just don't stick your fingernail in it then. ISSUE RESOLVED

I've seen the polycarbonate case separate slightly when separating from the microUSB cord but I've not been able to use my nails to replicate.

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Originally Posted by ajorourke

Just don't stick your fingernail in it then. ISSUE RESOLVED

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I believe the issue is that dust can get into this gap, which I have noticed after a few days of use. It isn't a big deal but it would have been better if there were no gap there. I think it looks better without that extra bezel but I guess Nokia must have had their reasons.

I have this issue at the top of my phone. I can push the back of the body behind headphone jack while holding the screen near mic and get serious forward flex. Also there is a gap about big enough to wedge a fingernail in between that bezel and the poly.
I am concerned with dirt and dust entering the unit at that point as well and affecting long term reliability. I will be going to a corporate store to inspect a replacement for the same issue after the new year.
I came over from a prepaid service and am paying a premium for at&t so this phone wasn't "free" or "cheap". I expect a quality device that lasts, is that too much to ask, think not!

Just stop sticking your stuff into every hole you can find

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Originally Posted by ajorourke

Just don't stick your fingernail in it then. ISSUE RESOLVED

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Try telling that to dust particles and see if they listen.

Mine has been getting dust in the FFC and it is really noticeable around the top gap of the phone.

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Originally Posted by redeyss

I have this issue at the top of my phone. I can push the back of the body behind headphone jack while holding the screen near mic and get serious forward flex. Also there is a gap about big enough to wedge a fingernail in between that bezel and the poly.
I am concerned with dirt and dust entering the unit at that point as well and affecting long term reliability. I will be going to a corporate store to inspect a replacement for the same issue after the new year.
I came over from a prepaid service and am paying a premium for at&t so this phone wasn't "free" or "cheap". I expect a quality device that lasts, is that too much to ask, think not!

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My thoughts exactly, I'm concerned about dirt and dust affecting the unit in the long run too. The amount of flex is quite alarming. It's not too much to ask for a flagship!

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I believe the issue is that dust can get into this gap, which I have noticed after a few days of use. It isn't a big deal but it would have been better if there were no gap there. I think it looks better without that extra bezel but I guess Nokia must have had their reasons.

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Must be some strange reasons though. Interestingly that some in some high-res press shots I do not see this extra bezel/gasket. Was looking at a HTC 8X and even that has a seamless screen & body assembly. :unhappysweat:

I just noticed dust under my screen after about a couple of weeks of use. I was thinking quality control issues but this post makes me think it is a design issue. I hope that's not the case since I really like this phone.

Get a piece of paper and insert the corners to run it through the gaps of the display and the bezel, along with the bezel and the case itself. Works great.

Is the gap between the display and the bezel noticeably larger around the middle part of the phone compared to the ends for everyone else? Mine has already collected quite a fair bit of dust in that gap.

I also don't like that there is a gap between the bezel and the polycarb case, seems a good way for dust to get into the internals and under the screen. One side of my phone has a noticeable gap between the bezel and I can fit my fingernails and pull the case away from the body whilst the other sides of the phone are glued to the case and there are no gaps. When I press on that side of the phone it makes a popping/creaking sound as I push the gap closed. I don't believe this should be normal, as it seems like my display is separating with the body. All other sides are completely glued together.I did not notice this when I first got the phone and there was no creaking/popping noises upon putting pressure on the case.

Here's what I mean. Zoom in at my fingers and you can see the large gap.

Attachment 24836

I wished they'd gone with one of their earlier designs.

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Originally Posted by devize

Is the gap between the display and the bezel noticeably larger around the middle part of the phone compared to the ends for everyone else? Mine has already collected quite a fair bit of dust in that gap.

I also don't like that there is a gap between the bezel and the polycarb case, seems a good way for dust to get into the internals and under the screen. One side of my phone has a noticeable gap between the bezel and I can fit my fingernails and pull the case away from the body whilst the other sides of the phone are glued to the case and there are no gaps. When I press on that side of the phone it makes a popping/creaking sound as I push the gap closed. I don't believe this should be normal, as it seems like my display is separating with the body. All other sides are completely glued together.I did not notice this when I first got the phone and there was no creaking/popping noises upon putting pressure on the case.

Here's what I mean. Zoom in at my fingers and you can see the large gap.

I wished they'd gone with one of their earlier designs.

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I totally agree they should have went with the earlier designs. I'm waiting for a disassembly video to see exactly where the design of the 920 differ from the 800 & N9. looking at the video for L900 (which also has the extra bezel/gusket) there is a slight change in how the screen is attached to the body.

It also seems like the polycarbonate case is softer/more flexible than the N9. A number of people are reporting flexing in the case. I wonder if its a color related issue too, the 2 white ones both had this issue. I will try and check other demo units tomorrow (if they have it in stock).

I have a red 920 that I picked up on the 11th. My phone doesn't have these gaps. The screen is very tightly set into the body. So not all are like this and I think the o es you are seeing are definately manufacturing defects.

I went into the shops (allphones) today and found a yellow L920. Had a try at getting my nails into the outside gap (between screen & body) but it was very solid and I couldn't do it. However, for this unit, I could get my nails into the inside gap (the gap that's part of the screen assembly). I think this one is better in comparison since at least the body is solid. I then went next door to telstra shop (different one to the previous shops I've visited) and they again had a white demo, this one had a horrible gap that I didn't even have to use my nails to get to. I just put slight pressure on the body away from the screen and the gap appear! Very annoying.

I have a gap but not one large enough for fingernails. Dust is still a massive issue in addition to a gap between the ceramic rear camera mounting and polycarbonate. My phone though is entirely solid with no flex whatsoever (black). I would suspect the flex is a manufacturing defect. Possibly a bad batch of polycarbonate.

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Originally Posted by hcoreyh

I have a gap but not one large enough for fingernails. Dust is still a massive issue in addition to a gap between the ceramic rear camera mounting and polycarbonate. My phone though is entirely solid with no flex whatsoever (black). I would suspect the flex is a manufacturing defect. Possibly a bad batch of polycarbonate.

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Is dirt and dust gathering in this gap? Do you have a photo of the gap between the ceramic rear camera mounting and the polycarbonate? I don't recall seeing this one before? It very well could be a bad batch of polycarbonate. Do you have a batch number also?

The L920 Screen disassembly guide just got posted on youtube here:

Nokia Lumia 920 Digitizer Glass & LCD (TFT) Display Replacement - YouTube

It clearly shows the extra bezel which is part of the screen.The digitizer is glued onto this screen. This also explains why there is often dust under the FFC since there is just a tiny area for the glue/sealant on the digitizer. So this video shows the inner gap is the gap between digitizer and screen and the outer gap is the gap between the entire screen assembly with the polycarbonate body. This is just a bad design compared to the old N9/L800 design shown here:

Lumia 800/900/N9 Glass Screen Only - YouTube

You can see that the digitizer covers the entire screen hence there is no extra bezel/gap! Darn this is annoying!

White Lumia 920, no battery drain, no dust under front camera, no random reboots, no gaps anywhere between body and screen. A solid phone. works and looks like a baws