[T-Mobile HTC One (M7)] Putrid186:
So this thread is kinda high on search engines so I figured I'd put down some useful information.

#1: Know the difference between insurance and warranty replacements. Purchasing a phone new typically comes with a 1 year manufacturer's warranty. Your carrier usually provides a much more convenient way of getting a replacement than going through the manufacturer, which i'll delve into in a moment. Warranty replacements cover defects and issues that are no fault of your own. In other words, it covers any issue that is NOT physical damage or water damage. Warranty replacements or repairs are typically FREE, the only variance being shipping charges. T-Mobile, for example, will charge $5 shipping, once, for one direction, regular ground shipping. This includes a prepaid label to return the defective device to them. Express shipping is $20. If you paid $20, you didn't pay $20 for the phone, you paid $20 for the shipping. In the event of recurring issues such as the ones many are experiencing here, they will express ship the next phone for FREE and typically CREDIT the first shipping charge. This is standard procedure for T-Mobile so make sure they follow this if you fall under this category.

#2: Know when you're under warranty. If you pay for insurance on your account for the device, that should only be used if you are no longer covered under warranty whether it be because it has expired (1 year) or there is physical or water damage or it is stolen. If you have a camera issue, and it's only been 10 months since your purchased it (first started using it, actually) then use the darn warranty! Don't call your insurance company because they probably won't check to see if your warranty is still valid.

#3: Know the difference between the type of device you're receiving. If you're processing an insurance claim through Asurion, you have a 98% chance of getting a "Refurbished" device. If you're processing a warranty exchange, you are not getting a refurbished device. I don't care what people at whatever call center said. This was a huge deal for me while I worked at T-Mobile PDA Tech Support. Semantics. Reps would use the word "refurbished" when referring to a warranty replacement but that is inaccurate. Once again, you're *not* getting a refurbished device when processing a warranty exchange. They are however typically original models. So in the case of the HTC One, you're probably going to get an HTC One that does not have the updated (fixed) SHARP camera sensor.

#4: The HTC One's camera issue. This is a known issue with the device. There is an easy solution but you need to follow the flow. Now that I no longer work for T-Mo, I can happily say: I don't care if you don't like the flow, you're not going to get a magical instantaneous solution, so stop being a whiny little b**** and follow the f****** flow so that you can get a working device in your hands quickly and with little to no money spent.

The Flow: So your camera has a purple haze in low light, maybe even all light like mine eventually deteriorated to. No problem. Any physical or water damage? Ignore the rest of this article, check to see if you have insurance, and call them up. Expect to pay a nice deductible and get a refurbished phone. Damaged but no insurance? You're SOL. Should've taken better care of your $600 phone.

Return the device to stock firmware, and then perform OTA updates until you're on the latest version. Why is this necessary? Your end game here is to get the issue resolved which will involve returning this device. As you should obviously know, having custom firmware, boot image, recovery, bla bla bla all that voids your warranty. You want to pretend you never did this, and show that software that you put on the device is not causing this issue. It's also important to do this before calling because either A) You'll waste your time having to call back later after you hang up on them when they ask you what your software number is or B) You stupidly tell them your software number revealing you have CFW and they notate your account that your device is not eligible for warranty replacement.

Call your carrier. Follow their troubleshooting steps. Typically it's going to be clearing the camera app's cache, and then checking to see if you're on the latest software version. After verifying your warranty, they should process an exchange for you. You can choose to spend the extra $15 on express shipping but I wouldn't bother, your phone still works you tool.

Now, there's a good chance the replacement they're sending you will have the same issue. Why? Because remember I said that warranty replacements are not refurbished devices? They are just original, and most originals have this problem.

So, your replacement has the same issue? Great! Hang on that your old device for just a moment. The next step is to call up HTC ( US Contact: ‎+1-866-449-8358‎ ) and file for a repair. But Putrid186, why didn't I just do this first?! Several reasons. #1: You'll be sending your most recently received device into HTC, and they will repair that device. This means your 100% fixed phone should have no nicks or scratches and a battery in much better condition than your current one. #2: You can hang onto your original HTC One for a bit as your "loaner phone". The whole process shouldn't take longer than 7 business days, but don't wait any longer than 14 days to send your old phone back to carrier. You REALLY don't want to get charged that restocking fee. #3: Principle: It costs your carrier money. With an issue as prevalent as this, T-Mobile and other carriers that haven't properly addressed this are not practicing in the best interests of the customer. So make them wipe out their warranty stock. Make them receive a bunch of devices that are otherwise perfect but are now considered "used" and can no longer be sent to their customers as warranty replacements (REMEMBER? WARRANTY REPLACEMENTS ARE NOT REFURBISHED DEVICES).

Hope this helps. Feel free to inbox me. Just remember: There is definitely such a thing as a stupid question. :eek: