yashsingh1/xdaforums huggingface dataset:
[Samsung Epic 4G Touch] Mattix724:
0 refurbs for me... However I did get a brand new replacement directly from Samsung in August.
[Samsung Epic 4G Touch] -EViL-KoNCEPTz-:
I've had 0 refurbs since I don't maintain TEP. I put what I would spend each month for my 5 lines on TEP in a box and if I break a phone I use what's in that box to go buy a new one. If I dont break a phone I use whats in the box to buy my next upgrade.

☆SoA: Son's of Android™☆

I like to break stuff! :D
[Samsung Epic 4G Touch] MoHoGalore:
1. Had my original black Touch stolen (was recovered - one of the kids friends) and actually it was replaced with the Titanium version.

Works great. I use it for all the testing we do and haven't had any issues.. Since there are a lot of people complaining (not that that's a bad thing) maybe I'm the exception?
[Samsung Epic 4G Touch] gobaers:
Self insurance, that's the way to do it! If you can't swing $200 for an replacement phone from ebay, you got bigger problems than cell phone service.

I've had to replace it once, due to the phantom menu-button press problem. The phone I got looked like it was in good shape, but the capacitive buttons had trouble registering presses. I took it to a corporate store, and it turned out there was water damage on that refurb. They replaced the screen then-and-there, and the phone's been working great ever since.

Outsourcing to Asurion might be cheaper for Sprint, as it is for everyone else, but quality control is terrible.
[Samsung Epic 4G Touch] -EViL-KoNCEPTz-:
Asurion is a joke. It's a really big joke in the insurance industry since they technically aren't real insurance but advertise as if they are. They don't have to follow all of the regulations, oversight committees and guidelines like homeowners, auto, health etc. They're a monopolized device replacement program, nothing more, nothing less.

☆SoA: Son's of Android™☆

I like to break stuff! :D
[Samsung Epic 4G Touch] miketucky350:
Ive had 3 devices damaged with water. Assurion sent me refurbs on the first 2. The last one had a wonky radio signal jumped up and down. Other wise great. Now the most recent replacement was a brand new in sealed samsung box! Date was 11-2-12 or 12-2 cant remember but definitely got lucky.
[Samsung Epic 4G Touch] oscarthegrouch:
So they actually sent you a new one? Wow! Evil, thanks for your input! My replacement is supposed to be here today but I haven't got a call yet. I'm thinking that since all the interactions with repair service has been documented on my account, that if the third one turns out to be defective, to go to a corporate repair center and tell them I want a new one. Unfortunately for me, I'm not that convincing when being assertive. I don't want to be a jerk towards the csr because I know it isn't their fault and they have no control over it. Perhaps I could be polite, tell them my situation, and be firm, that this is not acceptable for a fully functional replacement. I have been paying tep for years without an issue or claim, yet the replacements I get aren't fully working. I know the manager would be the one to make the decision if they would give a new one instead of a refurb. Like I said before, I will reiterate that I know it isn't their fault for the other company's lacking quality control but this coming back a week or less later to get a replacement for the replacement is getting annoying.
[Samsung Epic 4G Touch] mkfryan:
I recently got mine replaced thru sprint, power button went out it was on back order need my phone for my job complained to sprint csr via phone they said if I didn't get it within a week they would give me an upgrade to the s3 that they did have in Stock unlucky for me I got mine two days later
[Samsung Epic 4G Touch] -EViL-KoNCEPTz-:
That's why I quit carrying TEP/Asurion and just put my $55 a month I'd have paid for my 5 lines in a box. If I break one I usually have enough that if I add what I would have paid for the deductible I can buy a brand new phone. Then if I don't break a device when something new comes out and I want it I can buy it and then whichever device I replaced gets put in my "insurance" box as a backup if I break a phone before I refill my insurance pool.

☆SoA: Son's of Android™☆

I like to break stuff! :D
[Samsung Epic 4G Touch] globalninja:
Iv had to replace this phone zero times since I got it. The only problem I've had was the battery going bad.
[Samsung Epic 4G Touch] MsFidget:
I haven't had to replace my e4gt, but I did have to replace a different phone through assurion a while back. I went through four...FOUR.. replacement phones before I got a good one. I had one rep tell me that "all phones have lag. It's totally normal for an app to take 30 minutes to download..." OVER WIFI AT HOME. I hate them.
[Samsung Epic 4G Touch] oscarthegrouch:
Just got the replacement today. It still has the greenish tinge that I reported in another post but not as noticeable as the previous one. So far, the phone isn't activated because I got home too late from work for get it turned on. I will when I wake up. I will keep my fingers crossed that this one is good. I overheard a previous customer that had the same phone but it sounded like the microusb port went bad so they are going to give him another. They offered him the same phone or a photon. I'm guessing they will do the same with me if this phone turns out to be a dud. I certainly don't want that POS as an alternative replacement. I will just have to wait and see. I'm using airdroid to copy over a video file that became corrupted some how when going from the previous phone to this. It said the file was zero bytes when it should have been 350mb and I did check all the files in the root of the sandisk card and it reported kosher before I removed the card from the last phone. And yes, I removed it properly with unmount sd card before wiping the phone. Yes I should have powered it off but I was lazy and in a rush to wipe the phone and get to work on time.
[Samsung Epic 4G Touch] kingsway8605:
I got a return

refurb from Assurion a few months back. There wetter problems with it. I called Assurion, they apologized and shipped me a new one.
[Samsung Epic 4G Touch] PanchoPlanet:
0.

Pp. :beer::thumbup::)

Sent from a jelly bean shooting Epic. In your eye ....... phone.
[Samsung Epic 4G Touch] miketucky350:
Yes I was stoked. Usually you get a plain tan box with a refurb. I opened the box and bam a brand new samsung sealed box. Never seen that before. I got lucky I guess. The newer build seems good even survived the bathtub! Oops
[Samsung Epic 4G Touch] Omar04:
None, 0,nada. Now is retired in its box, not a single problem or even a scratch after 1yr 1 month of use.
[Samsung Epic 4G Touch] oblivion0:
Two replacements here. First one was approximately 6 months ago via an insurance claim on a broken screen using Asurion. The refurb I got ran into microusb port charge issues and had the dreaded menu/low-signal hardware bug so I filed a claim through Sprint.

I've had the new replacement for over a month now and no issues whatsoever.
[Samsung Epic 4G Touch] mrmojorisin67:
Never had any problems with replacements.
[Galaxy S III Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] ilija777:
Hi there

Is it possible to replace the home button in the middle with out taking the glass of ?

Also is it possible to change the bezel with out taking the glass of ?

Thank you
[Galaxy S III Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] Striatum_bdr:
No.
[Sprint Samsung Galaxy S III] KennyG123:
These are the off-topic threads with links for quick access in case they are no longer visible on the top page. We have gotten a lot of complaints of too many stickies in the General forum and as a guideline keep it to less than 5. So these have been cut loose and linked here.

Sorry for any inconvenience this may cause.

OFF-TOPIC LOUNGE

For all non-device related discussions. Keep it clean and within the rules!

ALL LTE discussions here! Where, when and how fast!

Self explanatory I think.

http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?t=1884701

To not clutter up the forum every time a new phone comes out. Discuss them here.

Any and Everything camera: Let's see that camera perform

Post pictures, short videos here...keep it clean and within the rules! NO NUDITY!
[Motorola Photon 4G] def2moto:
There's an article currently on Ars Technica which you all may be interested in.

I'll be following this case with a GREAT deal of interest. I urge anyone so inclined to send a few bucks to the ACLU - they seem to be in EFF territory here a bit, but that's fine with me. :D
[Motorola Photon 4G] tomgaga:
Sound interesting, but I don't think its going to have any impact. I read this somewhere:

The ACLU filing is a request that the FTC investigate the carriers along with factual and legal support for the argument that the four carriers aren’t complying with US law. The commission isn’t required to take any action in response. In the event FTC staff members launch an investigation, it could be months or even years for it to become public.
[Motorola Photon 4G] Kevets:
Blah, ACLU. Just another political action committee.
[Motorola Photon 4G] antipasto:
Hey I know this will come as a great shock to you all. For the time I spent with Sprint this afternoon I could've done some web work or something and made enough money to just pay their fees but its the *principle* ya know? :D

Anyway, when I contacted them several ways to get the early termination waved or get like the HTC One for switching new customer price because of the lack of upgrades, the first chat person said "Oh the Q update went out on the 14th" and then told me to call in.

I called in a few times, a Dominique hung up on me, but a Heidi was as sympathetic as the corporate manual allows. The price kept changing. They said I could do an early upgrade for $160 plus then the upgrade cost of a phone. Then they dropped that to $155. They said the early termination to $175.

Anyway, they also claimed that I should just go to the store to have them fix the security problems. I told them that wouldn't help, and they didn't believe me. They also told me that no one is complaining about any hacks.

So if you're bored, go ahead an try to inform a customer service rep about this complaint. I know this matters nothing, but I think that since we're in the right with it that it is a situation that we should participate fully in. Even if you no longer have a Photon the complaint is still valid for all phones not on 4.2, and for probably most phones against still when 4.3 comes out.

I know we also somewhat benefit from having the control of being able to hack the things, but that is subtly different than someone in the future finding browser vulnerabilities that stay open for years. It could eventually lead to them locking things down a la Apple, but that is a different fight. Hack it if you own it, don't hack it if you don't own it.
[Motorola Photon 4G] downtimeguy:
This old thread is telling given the recent arrival of the Stagefright exploit. ACLU was on the money with this one two years and I can now imagine a potential massive class-action lawsuit against carriers for negligence with user data security. Forced arbitration agreements are likely to head off such an effort, but there are signs that the legal stakes for consumer data security are rising: http://www.wired.com/2015/07/new-hope-victims-data-breaches/

Instead of jockeying for lower prices or switching to no contracts, one of the major carriers should standout by creating a low-cost-no-added-commitment phone upgrade program since the cost of supporting older phones is too high for their bottom line. If they don't do it themselves, I can imagine a day when carriers are soon required to issue phone recalls when a substantial exploit is discovered.
[Sprint LG Optimus G] TaviRawr:
I don't know why this started but it is very annoying. My speaker works because I played music while my phone didn't make any noise and it worked.

But when pressing the volume keys, the little "boop" doesn't sound and when I restart the phone, the animation and sound turning off doesn't sound but the boot animation sound works and everything is normal, at least for awhile anyway.

Basically its like all software sounds just don't work except playing music thru the speaker.

Is there any way to fix this?

Oh I'm all stock, no flashing or ROMs, anything.
[Sprint LG Optimus G] roach7676:
I'm seeing this as well. Seems to happen on any kernel I try, and only since the JB update. BTW, I am using stock JB rom, rooted/unlocked.
[Sprint LG Optimus G] TaviRawr:
Yea I'm on JB. But it started awhile ago. Like 3 days.
[Sprint LG Optimus G] TaviRawr:
Bump.

No one as any solution? Besides getting my phone diagnosed at Sprint (which I don't wanna do)
[T-Mobile Samsung Galaxy S II SGH-T989] subnoize soulja:
Is there any way to get the photosphere on our phone other than the way that's on here now without having to install cm10?? Ive googled it and have found nothing for our phone but other s2's....
[MDA, XDA, 1010 General] suzukirf900rr:
ive just bought an xda 1 and have unlocked it however i canot use the wap or internet setting to connect, a msg there is no answer at the number dialed verify number and try again!! can anyone give me the number and explain how i set up the phone to send and recive e-mail and browse the web from the phone, sorry but im a newbe to the xda, cheers baz
[MDA, XDA, 1010 General] Jhorra:
Who's your service provider?
[MDA, XDA, 1010 General] gigino:
Vodafone settings for the UK

Hey

This is the setting for vodafone

Go to start - settings - Connections - add a new modem connection

Enter a name for your connection exp: Vodafone GPRS

Select modem: Cellular Line (GPRS)

Next

Access Point Name: internet

Next

User Name web

Password web

Finish

Now it shown all work as long as your sim is activated by your service provider for GPRS.

Regads

Gigi
[MDA, XDA, 1010 General] mazchaz:
wt about the french codes for sfr

vodaphone france

any1 have them
[HTC Butterfly] ultrastranger:
has anyone noticed that the plastic part near the ear piece scratches rather easily? not deep ones, but tiny small ones
[HTC Butterfly] jalibhoy:
i got the same scratches too. i think it could be buffed out
[HTC Butterfly] zjelko:
I understand you take good care of your phone, so do i. However if you want have it untouched, don\t touch it :)

Don't forget, it is just an object and you bought it to use it, right?

Kind regards and i also think it can be buffed out
[HTC Butterfly] aliao32amg:
I kinda just ignore it, mine has minor scratches that are perceptible only when you meticulously find it
[T-Mobile, Samsung Galaxy SIII] vietthanh1206:
Hey, I flashed I9300 rom on my T999 and after it turned off, it never turned back on again. It won't turn on/ download mod/ recovery mode or vibrate. If I take the battery out and plug it in the PC, it LED turns red for a short period of time only. I did a little research and it was no help. Will a usb jig work? Mine is Tmobile version 2 years contract and I got it in Dec 2012, is it still covered?

UPDATE: I saw one on ebay for half price, which is $30, is it reliable? Have anyone here used the service on ebay?
[T-Mobile, Samsung Galaxy SIII] monkeypaws:
A couple options.

1.) File insurance claim with asurion if you have that

2.) Send to samsu ng but more costly

3.) Send to mobiletechvideos.com $60 and you'll have it fast and fixed.

Yes if you flashed an Intl ROM your phone is bricked. Good luck
[T-Mobile, Samsung Galaxy SIII] vietthanh1206:
Is mobiletechvideo reliable? I don't mind spending $60 but will they come and pick up at my door or I have to go send it?
[T-Mobile, Samsung Galaxy SIII] Da Kine:
a USB jig will not work in this case.

Yes they are reliable. You will have to send them your phone, on their website they have instructions on how to send them the phone.

|When Emotion Goes Up, Logic Goes Down|

|Even If You Fall Face First You're Still Moving Forward|
[T-Mobile, Samsung Galaxy SIII] KingKostas:
send it in for jtag repair but next time you flash read around more so you dont run into trouble. good luck :good:
[T-Mobile, Samsung Galaxy SIII] ziggy46:
do chickens lay eggs? dont worry, we wouldnt let you use a shady phone service man :)
[T-Mobile, Samsung Galaxy SIII] Cyphers23:
yeah man, just send it to mobiletech videos. They have a few youtube videos too to show you how they'll do it. I did the same to my s3 a while back sent it to them and got back a week for date I shipped it to them. I did get the express overnight return shipping for extra $20.00. I recommend you get it too if you can or get the $15.00 rush processing where they fix on first or second day, otherwise can take as many as 4 days to fix if they have a lot if business. Mines was done in 3 days. Anyway hope that helped, I guarantee you have nothing to fear sending it to them if you decide to.

Sent from a galaxy far away using xda premium
[T-Mobile, Samsung Galaxy SIII] vietthanh1206:
Thanks, I'll reach for help from my older sister because I got no credit card and no car to go to the post office lol.
[T-Mobile, Samsung Galaxy SIII] nickcross88:
Hello,

last night i ran into this same problem with my sgh-t999. The phone will power up to the Samsung Galaxy s3 screen. I can also get into download mode and cwm. I am hoping this means that phone has been soft bricked.

As far as why my phone did this...I booted into cwm and i did a restore through the menu options. I'm not sure if i hit the wrong one, or what exactly happened at this point. Whatever it was loaded and i was unable to get past the gs3 screen.

I tried loading that .Tar file from the link provided by "Theexcel". However, in the tutorial, it says to make sure that the flash counter is set back at zero. How can i do this when my phone won't power on. I am not aware of how to reset the counter without getting an app from Playstore.

As you can see, i am new to the forum. I posted here because this seems to be a similar topic. Please let me know if you have any ideas. I tried to address what i think my be wrong with the phone and some of the steps i have done to try and repair it already. I will gladly provide answers to more specific questions.
[T-Mobile, Samsung Galaxy SIII] vietthanh1206:
I got hard brick which means it cannot get into download mode or anything, the screen won't even turn on. Lucky you just got soft brick. :( I need to spend $80 bucks for jtag fix and fast shipping.
[T-Mobile, Samsung Galaxy SIII] nickcross88:
If I send my phone in, will it cause any problems if I remove my sim card to use in another phone? I need my phone for work. Does anybody see this cause potential problems?
[T-Mobile, Samsung Galaxy SIII] Misterjunky:
Following these instructions below will get you back to a stock rooted phone which works perfectly.

The very best advise is to do the following, doing anything else will most likely prolong

the problems you are having or making them even more difficult to resolve.

First thing you need to do is to install the stock Tmobile T999 rooted firmware.

Here are the exact step by step instructions with the download link for the firmware.

After you have followed these instructions your phone will be working properly and if

you like you will be able to flash any custom roms made for the Tmobile T999 phone

or restore any backups unless the the backup is corrupted in some way or another.

Here is the link to the Tmobile Stock & Rooted firmware you need:

http://www.androidfilehost.com/?fid=9390169635556426451

After downloading it make a folder on your desktop and unzip the file

using Winzip or 7zip so the .TAR file is in the new folder you just made.

Here is a link for ODIN which is required for flashing the stock rooted firmware

(a windows app) http://d-h.st/Q14

Download and extract Odin into the same folder you made containing the TAR file.

Here is a step by step guide for you.

Download the firmware of your choosing (use the root66 version if you want root)

Run Odin by double clicking the Odin.exe within the folder you extracted

Turn off your phone and boot into

DOWNLOAD MODE

(Volume Down + Home + Power Hold until phone powers up, then release and press Volume Up to enter Download Mode)

Once in Download Mode, connect the USB/Charger cable to the phone and plug into the USB port on your computer.

You should now see a COM** port listed toward the top-left of Odin (under ID:COM)

Click on the PDA button in the middle-right area of Odin.

Browse to and select the FW you downloaded (TAR file)

Make sure Auto-Reboot and F. Reset Time are the only options checked and that PDA is the only other thing checked.

TRIPLE CHECK your settings and that you have selected the correct firmware for your model phone and are using the correct options.

If you are using a laptop, make absolutely sure you are plugged in, or if on battery, that it is charged enough and will not go into sleep mode during flash.

Click Start to begin the flash. This will take a while, so be patient!

Once complete, in the top-left box in Odin, it will say PASS and the phone should have automatically rebooted.

You may unplug the phone and close Odin if you wish.

Wait at least 5-10 minutes for the system to boot the first time and then build its cache! (It may seem to hang during boot, this is normal and you must be patient!!!)

Good Luck!
[T-Mobile, Samsung Galaxy SIII] Cyphers23:
No actually, when you send it in they ask you to only send in your bare phone, no battery, sim/sd card just the phone itself. So yeah you can switch out to another phone while waiting.
[T-Mobile, Samsung Galaxy SIII] phantomthuggie:
Try searching craigslist for JTAG repair.

My buddy found a local repair shop for $60. He picked it up the next day.

A USB jig will get your phone into download mode if soft bricked and costs $3.

transmitted from my SGH-T999.
[T-Mobile, Samsung Galaxy SIII] vietthanh1206:
I don't know any local so I asked my older sister to sent it to the mobilevideo guy. Not sure when they'll send it back. Hopefully next friday or the following Monday :good:
[T-Mobile, Samsung Galaxy SIII] vietthanh1206:
Hey guys, I just want to let you guys know that I got my phone fully working in the mail box today. Thanks Mobiletechvideo :laugh:

Definitely recommend to anyone who got hard bricked.
[T-Mobile, Samsung Galaxy SIII] LuigiBull23:
I'm a witness lol
[T-Mobile, Samsung Galaxy SIII] vietthanh1206:
After a week of using, seems to work perfectly.
[T-Mobile, Samsung Galaxy SIII] Cyphers23:
Yeah, their work is professionally done. That's why they are so highly recommended by everyone. Myself included.

Sent from a Galaxy far away using xda premium
[T-Mobile, Samsung Galaxy SIII] superman63:
hey guys quick info thing. my phone had sudden death. nothing would work. had a disc with axeman who informed me of MT for jtag. long story short i found this dude named Joe on ebay. from seattle to Mich, repaired at half the price.. this dude rocks and is pleasent to deal with. like i said you ship it to him 1 or 2 day, i went with 2 small sups box, just the phone and back, wuld have gotten it in four had it not been sunday

search Unbrick Samsung Galaxy S .. mipick22..29.00$ .. just a heads up . ink
[T-Mobile, Samsung Galaxy SIII] JKDLBC:
First, I will preface, I consider myself a flashaholic, so the whole did I wipe or any of the should have done this, I don't believe that applies to this matter. I flashed AxisM rom and everything had been cool for a couple of days. Yesterday, I started getting serious bootloops, I managed to get into recovery and begin to wipe and try to re-install, but it started bootlooping again. I've been trying to get into download mode, but once there the phone just dies. I know a few people in this thread have had similar problems, but I'm not sure if they experienced being able to partially get into recovery and download mode.
[T-Mobile, Samsung Galaxy SIII] OneSlice:
Did you try to flash a custom ROM? If you boot into recovery you can wipe cache, dalvik cache and factory reset through the custom recovery then all you have to do is flash a custom ROM or a flashable stock ROM. Luckily you are only soft bricked. If you would rather go back to stock and leave it at that you can look up your devices official stock firmware and flash your device back to stock using Odin on the computer.