Javascript Disabled Detected

You currently have javascript disabled. Several functions may not work. Please re-enable javascript to access full functionality.

Got A News Tip For Us?

Recent Editorial

Recent Replies

Trouble in paradise? HTC One S / X owners reporting hardware problems

Apr 10 2012 09:00 AM | PaulOBrien in Android

The HTC One S and One X are wonderful devices... if you read my One X review you'll know i'm a big fan and (spoiler alert) i'm rather taken with the One S too... but it does seem that there might be some hardware problems coming to light as the devices hit the street.

The first issue, which affects the One X, is one that I mentioned in my review. On the One X, the camera module on the back protudes considerably from the device and the plastic covering the camera will touch the surface on which you are placing the device face up. The camera surround doesn't have a lip and I reasoned that this might leave the device susceptible to scratches. It seems I was right... I have a scratch on mine - and i've had another report from a user that they have the same.

The second issue, which affects the black One S, is more worrying. I have been using my One S almost exclusively over the long weekend and I noticed that on the top edge of the device, it appeared that a small piece of the black coating had chipped off revealing the lighter metal underneath. Now, I should point out that I am EXTREMELY careful with my devices so I wouldn't expect this to have happened and I also hadn't dropped the device. I initially put this down to 'I must have knocked it against something without realising', but then I noticed a second area start to 'go' and my worst fears were confirmed with a Tweet this morning from MoDaCo member piter1225 highlighted a XDA-Developers topic where others have had the issue. It does seem a problem with the 'micro arc oxidation' coating that is on the black One S and not the grey device.

I have reached out to HTC for comment on both issues, but in the interim, it'd be great if One X / One S owners could post here if they are / aren't experiencing similar problems.

Photo courtesy of mardon85 @ XDA-Developers

About the author

Paul O'Brien founded MoDaCo in 2002 as a site focused on Windows Smartphones and has grown it since then by concentrating on providing a friendly community for both experienced and beginner mobile enthusiasts.

18 Comments

rovex
Apr 10 2012 09:25 AM

I think the more elaborate the material, the easier it is to damage. We have ceramic and polycarbonate superphones and even totally glass ones, but guess which phone still looks like new after a year.. the 'cheap' plastic SGS2.

All the more exotic ones look nasty in weeks. The old iPhones metal backs looked like they were attacked with a sandblaster in days and the glass ip4 gets scratched up and ugly in no time.

Rocky7
Apr 10 2012 09:30 AM

I don't know what S2 you have. My S2 screen was mint. The incredibly cheap (Mr Kipling Tin Foil?) black metal surround chipped like crazy and the plastic heavily scuffed. The speaker grill was also losing "paint".

My stand out device for resilience was my Nexus One. That lived in my pocket with my change and keys and was hardly marked after 18 months when I finally retired it.

See photos of the awful SGS2 surround below.

I do have experience of quote a few phones

Attached Files

2012-02-14 19.30.47.jpg 1.22MB 49 downloads
2012-02-14 19.30.20.jpg 1.24MB 56 downloads
2012-02-29 19.17.11.jpg 1.48MB 50 downloads

djgabi
Apr 10 2012 09:35 AM

How can the One S housing worn? i tought its made from super-duper durable metal thing: Youtube - Micro Arc Oxidation on HTC One S

craig82
Apr 10 2012 09:44 AM

My one s has signs of chipping. Microscopic at the moment but it hasn't even been outside or in my pocket as I'm waiting for a cover before everyday use. Not a good omen.

Shadman2011
Apr 10 2012 10:23 AM

My One X has got scratches on the camera lens, I was worried that I was the only one that had. Not good news that it can be marked so easily, but glad to know I'm not the only one...

galileox
Apr 10 2012 10:23 AM

Can anyone with the grey version confirm if this problem is also present in that version?

So far it looks like all reports come from owners of the black model.

Paul77
Apr 10 2012 10:58 AM

The grey version doesn't have the same 'micro arc oxidation' finish as the black version - probably a good thing on the basis of the picture above.

PaulOBrien
Apr 10 2012 11:11 AM

I don't expect this to affect the grey version...

P

Xmoo
Apr 10 2012 11:21 AM

Nope, had the grey version for two months (Prototype) no issues there..

rovex
Apr 10 2012 11:25 AM

Rocky7, on 10 April 2012 - 09:30 AM, said:

I don't know what S2 you have. My S2 screen was mint. The incredibly cheap (Mr Kipling Tin Foil?) black metal surround chipped like crazy and the plastic heavily scuffed. The speaker grill was also losing "paint". My stand out device for resilience was my Nexus One. That lived in my pocket with my change and keys and was hardly marked after 18 months when I finally retired it. See photos of the awful SGS2 surround below. I do have experience of quote a few phones

I have no issues like that with my S2. It does have a few marks on the surround, but only because I dropped it on a hard tiled floor. My point was that the initial complaints that the back was plastic and the battery door was so thin haven't proved to be an issue. Its as good as anyone can expect a phone to be after a year.

Attached Files

2012-04-10 12.33.34.jpg 171.72K 13 downloads
2012-04-10 12.33.03.jpg 134.32K 17 downloads
2012-04-10 12.41.11.jpg 108.11K 16 downloads

Cass67
Apr 10 2012 12:08 PM

Had my White One X for 5 days, no scratches on the camera lens here ... looks fine ..

skyster
Apr 10 2012 12:49 PM

Had a HTC One X exactly 1 day and there are a couple of micro scratches on the lens cover. No Gorilla glass there it seems! A basic design flaw compounded by the fact that the rear cover isn't easily replaced like on my old Desire. My One X box says it's black but it looks more grey. No signs of the oxidation thankfully. If that happens it's going back! I'm now googling to see what kind of a case I can get that keeps the lens protected. If anyone has any recommendations please shout..

gavken
Apr 12 2012 09:30 AM

Had mine a week (Grey version) no scratches on the lens. My case should arrive in the next day or two so I shouldn't be affected after that. I did have a wierd issue whereby the battery indicator was reporting that the battery wasn't charging but a reboot fixed this so must have been a software glitch.

So far I'm very happy with the device.

MZaza
Apr 13 2012 12:38 PM

@skyster

Get a screen protector cut out carefully out of it a small piece to cover the lens, until you buy a decent case for your phone.

twrock
Apr 14 2012 02:01 PM

I don't have either phone, but the protruding lens cover on a lot of phones is a poor design decision. There is no way it isn't going to scratch when it is the furthest thing sticking out of the back.
After replacing my phone's back cover because of scratched lens cover problem, I stacked up two paper hole punch reinforcers on the new lens cover, and solved the problem. It doesn't look the greatest because they are white, but it is effective. I suppose a couple of layers of black tape with a hole punched in the middle would do the same thing.
Manufacturers should take care of this common problem by designing their phones differently. The ring around the lens cover should always be raised slightly.

TonyL
Apr 15 2012 10:46 AM

I know the guys at bestskinsever.com are about to cut the first skin for the X One, Ive asked if they can invoice me and send one over asap to review for the site. Always been very impressed with the skill of the person/machine that figures out the cutting!

Is there any value in asking them to add a teeny round skin to cover the lens? Im guessing this would impair the actual photograpgh, so Im guessing not..

Tony

TonyL
Apr 15 2012 07:18 PM

agree with TWROCK. Create a .5mm raised lip around the lens, probably sort the issue.

spunkmonkyuk
Apr 26 2012 07:30 PM

just noticed this morning,i have a slight dot of a scratch on the lens cover of my one x,bad design flaw..

Asus Fonepad Review

Asus PadFone 2 Review