yashsingh1/xdaforums huggingface dataset:
[Xperia Z3 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] monoke:
Hi guys.

I know there's nothing perfect but does anybody else have noticeable slight gaps along the edge of their unit? Prob doesn't help that i got the white one but it seems my face panel isn't as centered as it can be when assembled. After googling, i see some z2s had this problem too.

Might not be a huge issue to most, but i got to admit it annoys me knowing how much we paid and the praise the device gets for its build quality. Thinking bout getting it exchange tomorrow for another unit. Just sucks to pay for shipping and playing the waiting game again. lol... smh.
[Xperia Z3 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] subhani:
I have this same problem. A gap just wide enough to let out some light from under the display. I wouldn't normally care but worried that this means my unit may not actually be waterproof. If I get it wet and it dies on me then Sony will only blame me. I'm in the UK and got my beautiful copper version from Clove. How about you? I'm sending them an email this morning.
[Xperia Z3 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] monoke:
I got mine from gsmnation in usa. I've emailed them just earlier hoping to get response tomorrow. Wow, u can see light coming from the edge? That's aweful man! Mine's around the camera button corner. Looks like either the main screen panel is slightly off centered or the camera button side has an abnormal buldge. Ruins an otherwise awesome device. Yeah, very concern bout the waterproofing too. Hopefully these are extreme cases so if i'm able to get a replacement, the next unit wouldn't be subject to any issues.
[Xperia Z3 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] lin013190:
Oh crap. I ordered mine from gsmnation just earlier today. White version. Can you take some pics and post them here. I'll take a look at mine when I receive it next week..
[Xperia Z3 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] monoke:
Damn, xda doesn't allow newbies wit less than 10 posts to put up links. I'll put up pics when i reach it. lol. Don't think it matters where you purchase it though, just luck of the draw man.
[Xperia Z3 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] Bäcker:
as long as the port covers are not the point of entry sony won't blame you
[Xperia Z3 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] lin013190:
Ohhh. Hmm, so like the metal frame and the glass has a gap. Hopefully mine won't have that problem :(
[Xperia Z3 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] monoke:
Notice how the left edge is perfectly flush. Now look how the right aluminum edge seems to bulge out a little more and not as flush. It's a lot more noticeable in person. Again, may seem nit picky but its bothersome to me lol.
[Xperia Z3 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] monoke:
Lin,

Its not as bad as note 4 gap lol where u can stick a card in it. It just looks uneven. I tried putting a lil pressure on it to try to pop it in to no use! Lol
[Xperia Z3 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] chunlianghere:
[MENTION=6060549]monoke[/MENTION]

mine i notice it just last night when i m using it in a dark room. very obvious that there is a line of light coming out from both side of the screen.

but mine is left side wider than right side.

is a copper phone btw. screen is black, so the gap not that obvious
[Xperia Z3 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] monoke:
Sorry to hear you have it too. Seeing light coming out sounds bad. Wouldn't it be natural for water to creep in those seams? You plan on returning it for another unit like I am.

Knowing my luck, i'm getting more nervous my next replacement will end up being the same! lol.
[Xperia Z3 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] subhani:
Exact same issue here on my Copper Z3. Getting Clove to replace mine if they admit it is a defect.

I absolutely love this phone and almost don't wanna bother replacing. It can actually withstand some abuse considering I had some super tight cases on it that needed serious prying and snapping to put on and take off.

[MENTION=6060549]monoke[/MENTION] I don't see the bulge in those pics above. Or gap. Maybe I'm blind.

I'll send a picture of mine to show the light bleed. Can you send yours [MENTION=4308273]chunlianghere[/MENTION]
[Xperia Z3 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] monoke:
Yeah i think u guys have it worse than i do especially with the light bleeding. Mine isn't a gap really like i can't literally stick a piece of paper in there. From regular eye phone distance it just looks like it and not a flush fitment like it should be especially for a waterproof phone.

Anyway, after showing gsmnation the same ecxact pics, i got rma and just sent it back today really no questions asked. That was cool of them!
[Xperia Z3 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] subhani:
That's awesome. Good for you [MENTION=6060549]monoke[/MENTION]
[Xperia Z3 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] chunlianghere:
here it is..
[Xperia Z3 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] subhani:
Wow. Yours is much more pronounced than mine. [MENTION=4439240]ChunLi[/MENTION]anhere
[Xperia Z3 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] monoke:
Man imagine how berserk i'd get if my replacement still suffers from the same issue. Give a dead pixel, bentgate or something... knock on wood, but 'hell no' to this again! Lol! Luckily these guys are in the US.
[Xperia Z3 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] subhani:
This is my greatest fear. I don't want to send it out, hassle of shipping and customer services calls, wait and then wait some more, then to find the replacement had a fault too! GOD FORBID.
[Xperia Z3 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] monoke:
Grass isn't always greener on the other side my friend! Lol. Luckily i have this awesome jailbroke iphone 4s to fall back on! Buhaha yeah right!
[Xperia Z3 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] bruteoutlawz:
Got the same problem with my z2, gaps are not really visible but when using the phone in a dark room i can see light coming through the gaps on the left and right side of the phone.

Sent it in for repairs and got it back on Saturday and they have not fixed it. The note i got with the phone said they had done a software update and something called screening (not sure what that is). Thinking of just testing it in water (recording the whole event on video so they cant say its my fault) but even if it is waterproof its not acceptable to be able to see light coming through those gaps. Sony need to sort it out
[Xperia Z3 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] subhani:
Where did you get yours from? That's pathetic.

I sent mine back to Clove and it was fully refunded. Zero quibble. I was very impressed with them so i highly recommend them now. I then checked one in store and it had the same tiny leak in the exact same spot. Then ordered a black version from amazon and same tiny light gap in the same spot. This spot is basically a consistent issue but it doesn't compromise the IP rating AFAIK since they ALL seem to have this issue.

Yours on the other hand seems to be a case of a REAL problem. With amazon, they will send a replacement without question and then collect the faulty one from you at a later time. They have superb customer support.
[Xperia Z3 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] alexwolf47:
I have a slight gap on the left edge of the front panel, it isn't huge it just looks odd as the front face isn't symmetrical, the right side is flush and looks a lot nicer. I don't seem to get any light coming through the gap but it is quite frustrating. I got the white version as I wanted something a bit different but it definitely doesn't look as good when you notice it! I'm sure you can't see it at all with the black version as well. I have been debating whether it is worth returning it or not - it is probably one of them things that I am only annoyed about because it is a brand new phone.
[Xperia Z3 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] Run_dawn10:
I see no gaps on mine.

Granted mine's in black so they might be less visible.
[Xperia Z3 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] alexwolf47:
Here are the pics of my device, but again it really is more noticeable in person. I don't even mind the gap, it is the asymmetry that annoys me, although saying that the right side does look a lot better.

I really don't think this will affect how waterproof the phone is, I very much doubt that the seal relies on the glass to be perfectly flush with the metal body. However that is probably the best bet at getting a replacement.. I am tempted to get a black version if I can get a replacement unless I can check to see if these gaps are present.

[IMG="left side"]http://imgur.com/BxIL8sN.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG="right side"]http://imgur.com/D8RuHzt.jpg[/IMG]
[Xperia Z3 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] subhani:
Yes I think like me you have OCD but justified OCD in any case. This is a common issue on the Z3 and I have seen it in the stores, all of the z3s have the same issue. I have replaced my rose gold one for a black one and same issue persists to the point it really isn't a problem at all. Only heavy scrutinising at close distance will show these imperfections but this is the case for any device really. I have gotten used to it and love the design of this next to my partner's iPhone 6+ which just looks dated and looks like a Samsung note clone. But black is always a better choice. Damn I loved the gold one but the black is just in another league of beauty. So understated, so subtle, and the whole thing is very consistent ie the glass, the display and the bezels all look like one solid smooth slab of pure metal and glass. This reminds me of the blacked out sleek NightRider, just without the red accent.

The other colors are more two toned and can't produce the same effect as the black one.
[Xperia Z3 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] alexwolf47:
Where did you buy it from/ exchange for a black one? Did you just ask for an exchange within the time period where you could or did you complain about the gap? I am outside of my 14 day exchange period and if it is a common issue I don't think they would let me do it for a faulty phone.
[Xperia Z3 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] subhani:
Although my alignment was better than on your device, there is a visible light leak on the three Z3s that I have tested. One in store, one I own and one I sent back. THIS should be your basis of the request to replace or refund as I complained that the tiny gap could possibly nullify the IP rating. Plus yours looks ever so slightly wider than mine thereby allowing dust collection in the gap.

Right. I ordered mine in the UK from clove and sent them pictures of the leak and they were more than happy to replace free of charge inc delivery. But I requested a refund instead and they reimbursed me my delivery costs for returning the device. I certainly recommend them on this experience alone. They threw in a Sony approved leather case, a car charger and a magnetic connector too.

This was within the 14 day period, but it is still worth a try since light shouldn't leak on ANY device. Nor should the alignment be wrong in the way you describe.

I then ordered from Amazon since 1. It costs a lot less and 2. Their customer support is the BEST in class. No 14 day rubbish AFAIK. Plus no need to send for replacement as Amazon collect from you AND they will deliver the new handset whilst you still have the faulty one. All in a swift and timely manner.

Now I use the word 'faulty' loosely since this small light bleed PROBABLY doesn't affect the IP rating since the three that I have seen all have this issue. Unless I managed to get the three defective devices in consecutive order, which is highly unlikely. Rather most if not all Z3s have this small light bleed. You need to be in a darkish room and crank the max brightness up to notice it on the bottom left corner of the screen where the lanyard insert is situated under it.
[Xperia Z3 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] subhani:
That second picture is misleading as the streak of light closest to my pinky finger is actually a reflection. Just refer to the first image above instead. I sent it back for a refund and now got my black one from Amazon. Which still has the issue but even less visible.
[Xperia Z3 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] nick-1988:
Hi there!;)

First, I would like to congratulate you for the great forum and all the people who help each other every day. ;)

I purchased a z3 black today (I live in Italy, I bought from a well-known e-commerce). Like you, my phone has a gap on the right side. And like you, a thin light comes out from the top of the gap. I sent an email to Sony support, explaining the problem and linking this thread to show him that I'm not the only one.

Someone has already contacted Sony? I would understand if it is a known problem acknowledged by Sony that does not involve the loss of waterproofing, or is it just bad luck.:mad:
[Xperia Z3 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] nick-1988:
I've tried to take some pictures of the gaps, and the light coming from them. I've started the procedure to send the z3 back. I think that to respect the times to put the new flagship on the market, Sony has done some mistakes about the manufacturing. I hope, the next time I will try to buy again the z3, Sony will resolve all this issues. But for now, my dear samsung S3 is again active and ready :3

Here, the link with all the photos I've taken

https://db.tt/qxPjWXKK
[Xperia Z3 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] nick-1988:
ehm... I'm thinking that noone else have bought a Z3 with gaps, and light coming out from them... It's simply dead this thread. So, Are we the only guys that have this issues on the z3? Yippee-ki-yay
[Xperia Z3 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] Zanr Zij:
I saw all 5 pcs Z3 have gaps. Mine also
[Xperia Z3 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] h3ckman:
Mine has the gap problem as well on the right side of the screen. It does not affect the waterproofing, thank god. I have tested mine and it worked flawlessly :)
[Xperia Z3 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] alexwolf47:
Yeah I went and looked at exchanging my device but the one they had in stock had the exact same problem. I would love to see pics of a white Z3 with no gaps at all around the front edge to see if this actually exists!
[Xperia Z3 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] nick-1988:
I don't know... for now, only one user on this forum has told to us that he has a black Z3 with the same glass-frame gap on all the 4 borders. He has told, yes, but he put the photos on the thread to demonstrate it. And yes, it's perfect
[Xperia Z3 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] Richie5767:
Did you find out where he purchased his? I want a white one, but I really want to be ale to avoid getting one with a gap. I am so set on this phone, but reading this thread really brings up some worries. Is this on all Z3s, or are you guys just the unlucky ones? Do any of you have water leak either?

Please let me know.

Thanks
[Xperia Z3 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] nadesicoboy:
Light Leakage

Hello,

I received my black T-mobile Z3 today and I have a very slight leak in the gap about 1 cm below the camera button. I haven't tested the water proofing yet, but will soon. Wish me luck!
[Xperia Z3 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] chetly968:
Hey, I'm on my 4th Z3 (1 exchanged for warranty issue, one stolen by my wife, one bent so I sold it) and all but my current one had a slight leak in a tiny gap just below the camera button. I could only really see it if it was in a really dark room. There were no glaring gaps on any of these phones (no compared to the couple of Z2s that I've owned) just the tiniest light leak. Didn't bother me cause I would not notice it when using my phone, only when I went specifically looking for it.
[Xperia Z3 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] thedisturbedone:
Haha the second reason s hilarious!! I am hoping to buy the device within the next few days but this issue (I am OCD) together with losing DRM keys when rooting (for now at least) are making me question my decision..
[Xperia Z3 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] nick-1988:
I don't know where he purchased the unit, but you can ask directly to him. he's the owner of the thread : http://xdaforums.com/z3/help/questions-z3-speakers-waterproofing-t2910067 ... there are also the photos of the unit

If you will buy a new one, please, write the production week when you can, if your unit will not have any issues like gaps, lights from gaps... well, write it in any case ahahah
[Xperia Z3 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] thedisturbedone:
Sure thing Ill make my purchase in a week or so
[Xperia Z3 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] Richie5767:
YES, please follow up on this! ;)

All these posts are recent, so I feel that if I purchased one now I'd come across the same gap. I really hope they fixed the issue.
[Xperia Z3 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] nick-1988:
I hope for this too. Sony, please, come here, read all of this, and then, do something! I've tried to speak with you, I've sent you an email but... I'm still waiting for a your message.... Don't do the precious, i am nice, strong, look my biceps hahahaha... all these users are nice and strong too, maybe you can find a boyfriend:D:D:D:laugh::laugh::laugh:
[Xperia Z3 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] cxchamp:
Do you guys have this
[Xperia Z3 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] abhinav.tella:
I picked up a new one in store at TMO, after mailing them the preorder one back. This time no light leak. Guys get a replacement if you can/bothers you.
[Xperia Z3 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] cxchamp:
So u don't have that light leak like the picture shown on top rite

---------- Post added at 07:22 AM ---------- Previous post was at 07:13 AM ----------

So u don't have that light leak like the picture shown on top rite
[Xperia Z3 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] nick-1988:
Week of production? 14W... and?
[Xperia Z3 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] abhinav.tella:
Where do I check?
[Xperia Z3 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] nick-1988:
Under the micro sd there is a small sheet of paper, take it out but do not remove it . You'll find on it the week of production
[Xperia Z3 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] abhinav.tella:
14W40
[Xperia Z3 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] nick-1988:
Sound's great... I've bought a z3 tre week s ago...14w36.. light like you, gap issue between glass and frame... I sent it back and now I'm waiting for good batches...maybe the batch 14w40 could it be
[Xperia Z3 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] abhinav.tella:
Just get it in store, they (TMO) don't even know when they will even get stock. In some Euro carriers I hear 6 week waiting period. Thats why I cancelled online and just got the replacement at the store yesterday.
[Xperia Z3 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] nick-1988:
Hi there,

I noticed that no one else wrote on this thread from the 1st of november... is there anyone who want to share if his unit has gaps between frame and front glass, bleeds of light from the gaps...? If we collect more infos about that on this thread, we'll be able to help future buyers of z3 to buy in total relax... Remember to write if you have or not one of these issues, and the week of manufacturing... thanks to all ;)
[Xperia Z3 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] WarpGuN:
this is a common error it seems, i had the exact problem with my Xperia Z Ultra a small gap along the right side.

the same on Z3 the first one i got ..i exchange it for a new one...same gap on the right side :(

edit:

to clarify the latest Z3 i got only got a minimum gap on the right side. nothing i really care about.. still Z3 is one of the best phones i have owned
[Xperia Z3 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] abhinav.tella:
My current one has centered glass in front and back so gaps are smaller but even.
[Xperia Z3 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] Charkatak:
Recently bought Z3 from T-Mobile ver. 14W39

Few days ago, I bought Z3 from T-Mobile store and before that I let the sales guy know that some people reported issues like light bleeding and gaps. He told me that he would exchange the devices up to 3 times. So I paid for it and I asked him to open it for me so I can check the gaps. The first phone he got out was the good one.

1) The screen is centered and all the gaps are even on all of the sides front/back.

2) When I got home, I checked for light bleed. When I crank up the brightness of the way up, then see some "faded light" on both lower sides(one near camera button and another one near strap side). If brightness set to auto in the dark, the possibility of seeing the light is very minimal. So the light that I saw was even on both sides since the screen is centered correctly.

Uneven gap would be bad for me and would probably annoy me, but that so-called light bleed isn't even bothering me because I always use auto brightness.
[Xperia Z3 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] abhinav.tella:
Mine has two tiny barely visible light bleed spots so I'm good 14W39 like you, on my 4th. Previous one was 14W40, I don't think it makes much difference the build week. at least from the sampling I saw.
[Xperia Z3 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] Charkatak:
I think the light bleed could be on all units because the devices that have more gap on the left and no gap on the right, might have more light bleed on the left side and none on the right. If the screen is centered then the even amount of tiny light is leaking from both sides. The version or the build # normally doesn't matter unless there is an issue that Sony admitted and fixed, that is when the build # would matter. Same was with Z1 Compact, where early adopters had the LED flash light leak onto the shots and was visible in the pictures. I don't remember which batch fixed, but then I bought my Z1C it had 14W...and there was no issues, but 13W... models had it.
[Xperia Z3 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] abhinav.tella:
Oddly enough my first one had a centered screen and bad light bleed, second had big gap on one side but no light bleed. Third was almost centered but lightbleed along entire side. Current is centered and no bleeds. The gap doesn't seem to do much with lightbleed as the frame goes pretty deep enough under the side of the screen.
[Xperia Z3 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] santoshcoolhere:
When will Sony Learn??? Beautiful phone the Z3 is...but poor build quality. This thread should never even exist. That's how you should make phones...iPhones, NOKIA and HTC rule when it comes to build quality.

PS I own a Z3 Black with gaps on the sides..:(
[Xperia Z3 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] Shuthefrontdoor:
my first one purchased through amazon production week 41 , one of the corners protruded ever so slightly that i returned it and rebought through sony store which was production week 44 and it has absolutely no flaws I'm so pleased =) I'm really loving my z3, best android I've had so far
[Xperia Z3 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] Charkatak:
Your phone has even gaps or one side is wider then the other?

Z3 is a nice looking device, I agree. I don't really think I can say that Z3 has poor build quality. It seems that all Z3's are built slightly differently. It could also be that these so-called gaps are within the manufacturing spec and it isn't an issue. I certainly would not like the gaps on my phone to be honest. As long as the screen is centered correctly it looks good. I think there should be an even gap on all sides and it could prevent the screen from cracking if the device falls.

I like Nokia as a brand, but it had an issues with N8 that 2 plastic pieces top and bottom could have uneven gaps and screen's purple tint issue, I believe. HTC One M7 had gaps where plastic meets the aluminum on top/bottom. All of these came from my experience. Haven't really used iPhones, so can't comment.

Every device on the market from any brand has one thing or another. It would be nice if the manufacturer would catch and liquidate the problem before selling the devices to the customer.
[Xperia Z3 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] abhinav.tella:
All phones have issues espescially in starting batches.

My sister replaced her iPhone 5, 4 times with Sprint due to getting a bent phone and paint chipping issues.

The M8 had issues for some where sometimes dust good get under the front camera.
[Xperia Z3 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] Charkatak:
So we do know that there are gap issues, but how well is the screen attached to the frame to not let the water in? It would be interesting to know if the light is leaking through the glass or there is an opening around that area?
[Xperia Z3 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] abhinav.tella:
Id be worried if you see light, even is there is a big gap but no light you should be fine.