yashsingh1/xdaforums huggingface dataset:
[T-Mobile Samsung Galaxy Note II] winlinmac001:
I received my Note 2 a few days ago. I found no screen defects, although my volume button is loose (and was confirmed normal as per other XDA member's feedback). I have a tiny black marker above the earpiece on the bezel (also confirmed by another fellow XDA member), and I know it sounds like I have OCD, but $700 dollars is not little. Also, I should mention, I purchased my device without contract from T-Mobile on their website, and the retail box (pristine clean condition) came in a bubble wrapped bag instead of an actual box I was expecting. Lastly, while un-boxing, I noticed I didn't find any plastic clear tape to remove on the sides of the bezel like I did in the previous Note (International version). My Note 2 only came with the T-Mobile Logo on front and Plastic on the back cover. Today, I tried registering the product on Samsung's website, and came across the message that my phone's Manufacture Date is 11/30/1993.

Is whatever I described above something to be concerned about? Or am I just being too anal. What about the warranty? Is my device refurbished? Should I have purchased at a retail store instead? My phone apparently came from Kentucky (Origin on UPS Scan shows Louisville, Kentucky) with a pre-paid return label to Forth Worth, Texas.
[T-Mobile Samsung Galaxy Note II] ptfdmedic:
Relax..... That's not a refurbished device. You can check under the battery and it will be listed as a refurb.

I had 3 Note 2's with Sprint before moving here. They all came the same way. There's no tape on the sides of the phone. Only the screen and and back cover are protected by plastic.
[T-Mobile Samsung Galaxy Note II] mowgie:
I have purchased 2 notes from tmobile and they have both come in a padded mailer vs. an actual box. The inside boxes were sealed though, I had to slice through seals to open the box. I recall on the international version the back plastic actually wraps around a little to cover the sides, I think it was the same with the tmobile version as well. You can't rule it out entirely but it seems unlikely you got a refurb, in my opinion.
[T-Mobile Samsung Galaxy Note II] winlinmac001:
Thanks for the replies :good:, what about the power / volume button, little black mark, and most importantly, the manufacture date. Have any of you tried registering your devices yet? Please let me know. Thanks again. :)
[T-Mobile Samsung Galaxy Note II] bipoler:
Do you even have to ask? Consider the source, the world we live in for a moment. The fact is some devices are sold "New" even if they technically need be listed as refurb. If you feel so confused, instead of asking internet strangers about your own device, I'd return it online and buy one in store if it makes you feel any better. But at the end of the day it's just a cell phone
[T-Mobile Samsung Galaxy Note II] winlinmac001:
I'm not feeling confused; its really just the manufacturer date I am more concerned about. It might be just a cell phone to you, but $700 dollars invested into a machine like this is not little. The world we live in now requires most of us to think twice before we buy. Coming to the Note 2, Every Note 2 sold has minute issues like I stated in my first post. I might be just being OCD, lol. Also, It's a Samsung thing--QC at its finest.
[T-Mobile Samsung Galaxy Note II] bipoler:
Hey I'm I'm your side I'm just saying more action less debate about your money...if I purchase something online and I have doubts I don't need to consult with strangers on what to do. As far as the device heck yeah return it and buy in store if it tickles your fancy, our see a doctor about your ocd. In regards to the manufacturer date..this is not the first nor last gadget to have a funky date some are more accurate others are internal...not a big deal.....this technology clearly didn't even exist back then, uncommon sense tells you it's just a Samsung filler, just a date they used. Even if the date was this year..who cares lol enjoy your phone
[T-Mobile Samsung Galaxy Note II] winlinmac001:
Watched a couple of unboxing videos on the T-Mobile version, there was plastic tape on the sides as well. I'm just guessing it varies by batch. Lol.

Anyway, too much plastic. I think thats the biggest flop of Samsung; Plastic
[T-Mobile Samsung Galaxy Note II] winlinmac001:
I'll just contact Samsung, and confirm some details. It would be silly to return without knowing that everything described is normal on Samsung's part, lol.
[T-Mobile Samsung Galaxy Note II] winlinmac001:
My phone was manufactured last month, it was asking for IMEI not serial
[T-Mobile Samsung Galaxy Note II] dkb218:
How you could entertain the idea that the phone was manufactured on 11/30/1993 in beyond me.
[T-Mobile Samsung Galaxy Note II] Some_dude36:
:victory: I don't think OP actually thought the device was manu in 93 xD Probably just concerned it doesnt say 2011 or 12 like it should . lol

OP MADE IN CHINA is all you have to see to answer your questions about loose this or that . This isn't the first thread I've seen about loose buttons on this device. . China makes junk , period. We're kinda lucky as many of these devices function flawlessly from the factory. My and it apears few other radios were bad too I had to get a replacement . Fact is lot of these devices are OK. But chinese quality control just isnt on par with even korea or the phillipines.
[T-Mobile Samsung Galaxy Note II] winlinmac001:
Thanks AFAIK, everyone's buttons on the Note 2 are loose, even those Made in Korea (as per XDA Note 2 General Forum Members). I've had the Made in Korea Note and Galaxy S2 before and they both sucked in quality control and were Made in Korea. Its not country of manufacture, its Samsung and their best friend, Plastic. Why not just use rubber? Lol...
[T-Mobile Samsung Galaxy Note II] Some_dude36:
mine arnt . thats the only thing on this phone that is ok . I guess your right on the samsung. I've predominantly used HTC throughout my smartphone experience. And their build quility is top notch . maybe Ill trade this thing for a one x or something. I mean the device itself is cool but .

Loose buttons , gps not working very well on more than a couple devices , terrible radios the fragililty of the device itself . I mean I cant tell you how many times Id dropped the MT4GS and I never had any problem with it.
[T-Mobile Samsung Galaxy Note II] woostar88:
1 think you a lemon ;P
[T-Mobile Samsung Galaxy Note II] KillaHurtz:
I've noticed quality issues on the Note 2, notably the bezel. The bezel is a throwback to the GS2 with the cheap electroplated plastic. Too easy to scratch, and out of the 3 or 4 I have had, most of them suffered from some sort of manufacturing defect. The GS3s bezel is actually constructed much beter, and I was hoping it would be the same. Instead it's identical to the Note 1 or the GS2.
[T-Mobile Samsung Galaxy Note II] winlinmac001:
I wonder how Samsung is able to sell something like this of very poor build quality. It's very shocking and insulting.
[T-Mobile Samsung Galaxy Note II] Warrior1975:
Very poor build quality? I have to disagree with you on that. They are built different, lots of plastic that's all. As far as I know anyway. My 3rd Galaxy phone model, and 4th total. I've never had an issue with any of them. However, for $700 I'd expect perfection regardless of where it's made. If you aren't happy definitely contact them.

G●Note~2 {Jedi X5}
[T-Mobile Samsung Galaxy Note II] Darron614:
What are you even talking about??
[T-Mobile Samsung Galaxy Note II] OoTLink:
I've gone through a few Note 2s now (long story), but all of them arrived in a very thin bubblewrap bag, and had the back plastic wrap on loose/wrinkled/something. I'm not sure why that happens, but they were all new and unused. One had a power button that didn't work right, the other had a deep nick on the side (ironically, near the power button) - and that was painted so it was definitely a defect, and then another one had a bad speaker.

The 4th still doesn't sound quite as good as I recall the 1st sounding, but everything otherwise is great and fine so I'm sticking with that one.

Also, I think the front edge of the ring that goes around the sides of the phone has paint that chips, possibly? I think those with the white Note 2s could provide more info about that, because I also see tiny black specs there sometimes, but I can't tell if it's dirt/dust or just the paint, or what? It's really hard to tell since the grey ones are painted really dark hehe.

Awesome phones though!

Also noting: All of these were made in China, and one says rev 1.1 on the box and had a slightly clickier home button (made on 12/3 I think?) but all were virtually identical otherwise. They're really nice phones, just.. not HTC or Apple quality hardware-wise I guess.
[T-Mobile Samsung Galaxy Note II] winlinmac001:
I have a tiny black spec above the earpiece as well; I've seen it on Phonedog's review as well (T-Mobile's Unit). I might be sounding very childish by mentioning the black spec, but it really hurts when you pay a premium for something which did not arrive in the appropriate condition. I know my unit is brand new, but Samsung's QC is inferior to Apple for sure (not an Apple fan btw). My screen looks like it has a yellowish tint; depending on time of day; sometimes it looks pure white. I don't know what is causing this; my device is certainly not heating up. Sometimes I see horizontal lines traversing on a pure white background, but most of the time its clear and crisp at low brightness; I'm sure my experience with the Note 1 is haunting me in the Note 2 (Deja Vu?). You see what you want to see, may be its all psychological. I don't see any blobs or strange lines in a dark room. I really have no idea if a replacement is necessary; I may get something worse, according to a T-Mobile representative, lol.
[T-Mobile Samsung Galaxy Note II] KillaHurtz:
I'm on my 4th Note in a month. They have all had bezel issues, some showed immediately, other have taken me a few days to see. I'm actually disappointed in the quality compared to the S3. I never, ever, had an issue with the bezel on that beast and I put it thru hell. I just happened to be doing a battery pull on my current Note, and noticed a giant piece of the metallic coating missing when I was putting the back cover on. Definitely gonna return this one as soon as a retail shop is open here (holidays)
[T-Mobile Samsung Galaxy Note II] winlinmac001:
This is absurd; why doesn't Samsung do something! Apple immediately acknowledged the problem with the paint job on their iPhone 5 when their flagship was released. Leave the Samsung Family and start looking at some other brand. Samsung's filthy quality control is seriously absurd. Good thing Apple vs. Samsung is still on.
[T-Mobile Samsung Galaxy Note II] JonnyPJohnston:
Well, this is very interesting. I had to check the issues raised here on mine...
[T-Mobile Samsung Galaxy Note II] brusyev:
I agree with everyone on here. Majority if not all Note 2's have deffects on them. This is not acceptable for $700 device. I am on my fifth one now which also came with defective bezel.. Please see my postings in another discussion about this. This is a major issue and needs to be looked in to by Samsung asap. I just wish people took this seriously and not blamed it on OCD...
[T-Mobile Samsung Galaxy Note II] xcaliburpcs:
You people have ocd period, mine has a 2 small darker areas on the screen and im not crying about it.
[T-Mobile Samsung Galaxy Note II] Amowagou:
I have a slim case covering the phone so I wouldn't even know if there is any defect on the enclosure.

But Samsung or any manufacturer should stop electroplating chrome on plastics, it is not going to last. Either use real metal enclosures like HTC and Apple or simply use textured plastics. The best would be using Panasonic's indestructible magnesium alloy.
[T-Mobile Samsung Galaxy Note II] friend'scatdied:
I agree. I think tiny imperfections on the chrome trim are not really worth asking for complete device replacement. Screen and functionality issues are absolutely worthy of replacement since this device basically amounts to its usability.

Consider this:

1. You're probably going to use some type of case that completely covers the trim

2. If you don't, it's soft enough and of low enough quality that it will naturally collect scratches and wear away anyway. Samsung did this to encourage movement to the Note 3 and 4; these phones are not built to last.

And I'm pretty OCD myself. I bought 2 used Note 2s described as "mint" and they had pretty glaring issues with the chrome trim since they were used without a case. I finally settled on buying a brand new one and putting a case on it immediately, not even peeping at the trim. It's not worth worrying about since everything else works fine.

First world problems..
[T-Mobile Samsung Galaxy Note II] brusyev:
If you read my posting on another thread the deffects are not limited to the bezel anomalies but also include volume and power buttons that stop working after short period of use...We alll have our quality standards...if you are content with your device then great for you. Those us who paid full reail price for our units expected a better quality...

---------- Post added at 07:56 PM ---------- Previous post was at 07:50 PM ----------

You got a good point there but if you read a full description of the issues I had with 4 of my replacements on another thread (warning: very long posting) you will see tha the quality issues are far greater then that of bezel imperfections....Have a read if you have time...

http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?p=36587786#post36587786
[T-Mobile Samsung Galaxy Note II] OoTLink:
After a couple of replacements they sent me a refurb instead. It came in the usual refurb box, and looked 99% new - the FCC label on the back was half as large and had no samsung logo on it.There was a screen protector, but after I looked the phone over a few times I noticed this

I mean the scratch goes through the darn paint.
[T-Mobile Samsung Galaxy Note II] winlinmac001:
Can't you ask for another replacement? :eek:
[T-Mobile Samsung Galaxy Note II] winlinmac001:
By the way, you mentioned on Post #20, that one of the Note 2's you had had a bad speaker. Can you please elaborate on what you encountered?
[T-Mobile Samsung Galaxy Note II] OoTLink:
@winlin: I did, and they said they were going to send a new one (I didn't even ask!) I didn't even have a chance to get upset (which is great!) but when I received emails, looks like it's another refurb. I dunno if I'm being unreasonable, but I think the replacements should be at least in as good a cosmetic shape as my current phone is!

Anyway, the one with the (really) bad speaker would distort on the ringing sound when you're waiting for whoever you call to answer the phone. of course, it also distorted on the people on the other end talking - which drove me nuts! Especially since the first phone had an AWESOME earpiece speaker. In fact, my current phone doesn't have as nice a speaker as the first one did, but it's not quite that bad either lol. Certainly not something I'd complain about, but it's surprising how inconsistent those parts are.

I really hate the cycle of exchanging. First, it feels like I'm being picky! Second, every time I switch phones I have to wipe the first phone and reinstall everything on the second, usually forgetting something small like savegames or something.. and the refurbs are not fun, especially when it becomes obvious that the person that had the phone before you wasn't as nice to their phone as you were to yours.
[T-Mobile Samsung Galaxy Note II] winlinmac001:
Well, at least you getting full cooperation in respect to the replacements. I think the quality of parts vary drastically on each phone. Samsung needs to get their act together and ensure consistent quality control in all of their factories; whether it be Korea, China, Vietnam, etc. The parts are all made in the same factory, and assembly is different. If Samsung is only revealing sales numbers for publicity and gain, then I think that is morally wrong. If Samsung wants to be successful they are going to need to hear from their own customers.

The replacements from the company should be fine. Did you add Handset Protection from T-Mobile?
[T-Mobile Samsung Galaxy Note II] OoTLink:
No, the protection policies are really expensive. :(
[T-Mobile Samsung Galaxy Note II] elouisyoung:
I'm on my 4th tmobile note2. I'm beginning to think tmobile is doing some shady things when it comes to repackaging returned phones as new. Either that, or the quality standards at samsung are very low.
[T-Mobile Samsung Galaxy Note II] bipoler:
..... I'm still on my first one. Well
[T-Mobile Samsung Galaxy Note II] OoTLink:
Lucky you! I wish I was still on my first one! Exchanging phones sucks.
[T-Mobile Samsung Galaxy Note II] winlinmac001:
I would consider that as well; when I received my 2nd Note 2 from T-Mobile's Warehouse in Louisville, Kentucky, though the box was sealed, I received another Micro-SIM Card Activation Kit which came in a Zip Lock Bag separately, in the same Parcel in which my 2nd Note 2 came in. Though the box was completely sealed, the Note 2 picture on front of the box was slightly faded, and after I opened the box and held the device in my hand, the back plastic sticker (which covers the back cover) was misaligned big time, especially the speaker part, and there were minuscule crumbs on the top and bottom portion of the plastic sticker making me believe that the particular unit I was holding had been previously opened before. The top of the bezel had a tiny scratch, tried wiping it away, but confirmed it was indeed a scratch, and there was tiny dent on the bezel on the bottom right of the phone and a quite visible joint where both sides of the bezel molding meets.

I never expected anything like this from Samsung and even T-Mobile. Obviously, there goal is to profit rather than care for the concerns that their customers have. When you buy an International Note 2, Samsung never displays the Country of Origin on their phones unless you are buying from a country like ours, the U.S., where import laws are very strict. T-Mobile does put Made in China on all of their boxes (Not Talking About the Sleeve), but I wouldn't be surprised if they have spare boxes lying around, and they simply repackage the phones they receive from customers who wish to return, and re-sell as new.

You won't find this from the International Variants when you buy from Expansys and so on.
[T-Mobile Samsung Galaxy Note II] winlinmac001:
I know I should have stuck with my first phone, because not only was the stock newer, but there were solutions available for me to fix the silly problems I had come across. Squeaky back cover could have been fixed by purchasing a new back-cover (I believe, unless the housing was messed up), and the volume button could have been fixed by simply massaging it over and over again. I know nothing could have been done about the horizontal lines and pink and yellow tint that were getting worse on my 1st display, but I would have stuck to that since every AMOLED display has a problem anyway. Every Note 2 has some bezel problem with the paint, dents, what-not. I should known, before even cross-checking with over a dozen Note 2's. Phew. Ah well, I feel more content with what I currently have now because it feels strongly built. :laugh:
[T-Mobile Samsung Galaxy Note II] SlsAustin:
I dont think u was being ansl. It was to the point and its ur money.
[T-Mobile Samsung Galaxy Note II] winlinmac001:
I guess we can't have everything perfect in this non-perfect world, lol. :laugh:

However, I get the idea of how to smart-shop now, I may have gotten lucky with the current display I have now on my 3rd Note 2, but I can't take chances like these again. Its better when you buy, then only if there is a significant hardware problem, then take action.

And if you don't notice anything wrong at first, be happy, and don't regret later.

I learned another thing when purchasing Note 2; its not like we all will be having this phone forever. Technology is changing so fast that we all are going to have to adapt, lol.
[T-Mobile Samsung Galaxy Note II] OoTLink:
I wasn't going to accept sticking with a phone with a broken power button, because either I'd void my warranty servicing it myself and that would have been terrible if the phone needed a new motherboard later on, or I would have to deal with a crappy power button that hardly worked.

I think it's reasonable to expect a new phone to come free of defects. That IS what the phone warranty promises, not a best effort. If you have miscolored screens or a poorly performing speaker or visible chips on the bezel out of the box, the phone should be replaced. Defective design is a different story, unfortunately. If you buy a phone and it turns out the case scratches up really easily, it's a pretty well established social norm for the manufacturer to refuse to do anything about it because it's cosmetic. Naturally, most warranties are like that too, and I think a lot of people will give the company the benefit of the doubt because defective designs that lead to tons of cosmetic damage in normal use would cost a fortune to fix, for something that's only cosmetic.

Of course, if the design is dubiously defective, that's another story. Likewise, structural faults should be addressed. If for example, your phone's bezel cracked within a few months of regular usage, that would be a big deal!

That said, I have to give T-Mobile a little credit where it's due - they've been really good about exchanging phones. However, I dislike their scripted message where they try to pressure you into buying the extended warranty and then threaten you with out-of-warranty fees. IIRC you can even get charged for their warranty exchanges, which is annoying. That's probably a midground between sending to the manufacturer (where you usually have to pay shipping), and being able to waltz into an Apple store with a defective iPhone and have it replaced on the spot with no fees (or exchanged via mail, again with no fees).

Still, I think if you have obvious defects you should go about getting them taken care of.
[T-Mobile Samsung Galaxy Note II] winlinmac001:
Every new Note 2 I came across has the bezel problems one way of the other, this is obviously a design issue; already many owners have this problem, and they are probably not realizing this and may realize this in the long run depending on how they use their phones. Coming to the display, every AMOLED screen is unique and different, the colors do vary from screen to screen, and tint is something you should take care off if it distracts you. The speakers on the Note 2 and just like any other phones has its limitations. Even though the Note 2 is a beast, it is not meant to be a boombox replacement, television replacement, computer replacement, or even a camera replacement. These smartphones still have their limitations, you know. If you are a professional photographer, you may have a very different view of cameras on smartphones, obviously the quality of pictures taken with a smartphone will NOT obliterate the quality of an SLR.

Samsung acknowledges all of the issues of their phones, I'm sure of that, they sell a large quantity to consumers with all the problems previously described, and obviously they can't handle the situation well like Apple. Therefore, Samsung considers there production issues as normal. Bezel paint problems is something that would not void your warranty; the darn thing is meant to be used, unless the owner has OCD or likes to hoard, that's something to consult a doctor, lol.

A Samsung TV purchased a year or so back had a stuck pixel, paid over two grand, and guess what, never returned it, works like charm, and the pixel came back to life after a year. Technology is not meant to be perfect, and it will never be.

It would be insane if technology takes over the world, its not a peace-maker. I know what I mean, :)