Intermittant screen defect?

[koshki]

I've had my Note 3 for a little over a week now, and I'm worried it may have a defect.

Occasionally, I get a bright green line that runs the entire height of the screen on the far left side. It runs through whatever else is on the screen.

I don't know what triggers it, and I can't make it happen.

It's only happened maybe 5 or 6 times, but I'm worried I have a problem screen.

Any advice on what I should do?

 

[Veritas4420]

I've had my Note 3 for a little over a week now, and I'm worried it may have a defect.

Occasionally, I get a bright green line that runs the entire height of the screen on the far left side. It runs through whatever else is on the screen.

I don't know what triggers it, and I can't make it happen.

It's only happened maybe 5 or 6 times, but I'm worried I have a problem screen.

Any advice on what I should do?

I would get it exchanged or return it ASAP, before something worse starts to happen.

 

[dontpanicbobby]

That's not normal. Do you have insurance?

 

[Rukbat]

I tried all sorts of things, but I couldn't duplicate it. As others said, I'd try to get it replaced (unless someone in the store knows what it is and teaches you something new.)

 

[zipred]

I would get it exchanged or return it ASAP, before something worse starts to happen.

I concur.

The Note 3 display is absolutely stellar. Widely held as one of the very best Smartphone displays, I believe the OP simply got one that's defective.

 

[koshki]

Thanks everyone. I hate "intermittent" problems, because I worry that I'll get the run around when I take it back.

Must be having a flashback from years ago when I had an intermittent problem with the brakes on a new car and the guys in the shop ignored me about it until the car was out of warranty.

 

[NeoGrandizer]

Actually, from your description the screen is fine. This sort of issue usually points to a problem with the GPU. Probably overheating, clocking or some other thing causing the issue.

 

[koshki]

It just happened again, and before I could show it to my DH, it disappeared. But I realized that it seems to have happened when I turn on the device, not after it's been on for a while.

It doesn't feel overheated, but I don't know what overclocking is (or what is a GPU...general processing unit?). I'll try to make closer observations from now on.

 

[NeoGrandizer]

Sorry, should have mentioned it.

GPU = Graphics Processing Unit. If something is wrong with it, it can cause odd visual 'effects' on the screen. Artifacts, vertical/horizontal lines, etc. Sounds like it could be a bad chip.

 

[koshki]

For a quick update: I'll be getting a brand new phone. Have to wait unit stock is in-store at Costco. Buying this phone at a Costco kiosk has turned out not to be a convenient as I thought. Next time, I'll deal directly with the store.

Although they were going to replace it even without seeing the defect, it obligingly showed itself to the AT&T rep while I was on the phone with the warranty people.

Thanks everyone for your advice! If I hadn't asked I probably would have missed the 14-day "buyers remorse" window to get a brand new phone. After that, I'd get a remanufactured phone. No thank you on that one!

 

[drexappeal]

For a quick update: I'll be getting a brand new phone. Have to wait unit stock is in-store at Costco. Buying this phone at a Costco kiosk has turned out not to be a convenient as I thought. Next time, I'll deal directly with the store.

Although they were going to replace it even without seeing the defect, it obligingly showed itself to the AT&T rep while I was on the phone with the warranty people.

Thanks everyone for your advice! If I hadn't asked I probably would have missed the 14-day "buyers remorse" window to get a brand new phone. After that, I'd get a remanufactured phone. No thank you on that one!

FYI, for those that aren't aware, Samsung has a warranty on all their products for 1 year, so if you can't get the phone replaced through a retailer, that should always be an alternative option.

 

[koshki]

FYI, for those that aren't aware, Samsung has a warranty on all their products for 1 year, so if you can't get the phone replaced through a retailer, that should always be an alternative option.

Thanks for that.

Do you if you get a new or a remanufactured device if they replace it under warranty?

 

[drexappeal]

Thanks for that.

Do you if you get a new or a remanufactured device if they replace it under warranty?

I've never had to file a warranty claim with Samsung, so I really couldn't tell you, but you can probably check with Samsung directly, through their website.

I recommending first registering your device.

 

[NeoGrandizer]

It would be dependent on what repair had to be done. Usually, they would repair the part needed and ship back the unit you originally have. If, for some reason, the part cannot be replaced or repaired, they would send a refurbished unit in its place. That is what most manufacturers will do. Usually, you will not get a new unit as a replacement.

The only exception would be if one was able to do an advanced RMA. Generally, you would pay market price + S&H for a new unit. The unit would arrive next day and defective unit would be shipped back using the same packing materials. Once they received the defective unit back, they would credit the market price minus S&H.