F(x)tec Pro1 screen suddenly died

[marmistrz 93]

I've happily used my Pro1 for over 2 years. I can't help dropping my devices, but the 3D-printed TPU case saved the screen from cracking throughout its life. However, a week ago, the screen suddenly stopped working, with no clear cause.

A week earlier days ago I noticed a weird issue: the screen would turn off while it was being touched at one place (the place was around 50% vertically, 25% horizontally counted from the left). When I removed my finger, it would turn itself on again. I supposed some weird driver bug, so I rebooted and the problem went away.

That day, it was a rainy day and I was on a long walk. I took my phone from my pocket. I tried unlocking it, but instead of the lock screen, I just saw some black, red and white bars. (red and white covered <30% of the screen, I don't remember if the whole screen was on). After a few tries, the screen stopped displaying anything. The digitizer still works properly, I can access the phone using MHL (USB-C/HDMI).

Reattaching the LCD flex cables doesn't fix anything.  Does this sound like a short circuit in the screen panel? Is there anything else I can do other than to replace the screen (given F(x)tec's recent shipping troubles, this might take a very long time to actually get the screen)

Edited September 18, 2022 by marmistrz

[Hook 3,021]

22 minutes ago, marmistrz said:

I've happily used my Pro1 for over 2 years. I can't help dropping my devices, but the 3D-printed TPU case saved the screen from cracking throughout its life. However, a week ago, the screen suddenly stopped working, with no clear cause.

A week earlier days ago I noticed a weird issue: the screen would turn off while it was being touched at one place (the place was around 50% vertically, 25% horizontally counted from the left). When I removed my finger, it would turn itself on again. I supposed some weird driver bug, so I rebooted and the problem went away.

That day, it was a rainy day and I was on a long walk. I took my phone from my pocket. I tried unlocking it, but instead of the lock screen, I just saw some black, red and white bars. (red and white covered <30% of the screen, I don't remember if the whole screen was on). After a few tries, the screen stopped displaying anything. The digitizer still works properly, I can access the phone using MHL (USB-C/HDMI).

Reattaching the LCD flex cables doesn't fix anything.  Does this sound like a short circuit in the screen panel? Is there anything else I can do other than to replace the screen (given F(x)tec's recent shipping troubles, this might take a very long time to actually get the screen)

I would check with FxTec to see if they have any understanding of what the problem might be. You can also find out if they can sell you a replacement screen and get it to you.

It will be extra work, but you can get a replacement screen (without the frame, so you will have to remove the old display from the frame and attach the new one) for pretty cheap from AlieExpress. Here is a link that has been working lately (there are different shops and some may have them and some may not) :

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/2251832770186063.html?gatewayAdapt=glo2jpn4itemAdapt

I usually get things from them in about 3-4 weeks (I'm in the US).

[Rob. S. 1,661]

3 hours ago, marmistrz said:

Is there anything else I can do other than to replace the screen (given F(x)tec's recent shipping troubles, this might take a very long time to actually get the screen)

Just for the record, I recently ordered a display assembly from Fxtec and it took only a few days to arrive from the UK (Fedex made me pay import fees, though, if I remember correctly). If they still have them in stock in the UK, you might get lucky.

[Casey 321]

On 9/18/2022 at 5:20 PM, marmistrz said:

I've happily used my Pro1 for over 2 years. I can't help dropping my devices, but the 3D-printed TPU case saved the screen from cracking throughout its life. However, a week ago, the screen suddenly stopped working, with no clear cause.

A week earlier days ago I noticed a weird issue: the screen would turn off while it was being touched at one place (the place was around 50% vertically, 25% horizontally counted from the left). When I removed my finger, it would turn itself on again. I supposed some weird driver bug, so I rebooted and the problem went away.

That day, it was a rainy day and I was on a long walk. I took my phone from my pocket. I tried unlocking it, but instead of the lock screen, I just saw some black, red and white bars. (red and white covered <30% of the screen, I don't remember if the whole screen was on). After a few tries, the screen stopped displaying anything. The digitizer still works properly, I can access the phone using MHL (USB-C/HDMI).

Reattaching the LCD flex cables doesn't fix anything.  Does this sound like a short circuit in the screen panel? Is there anything else I can do other than to replace the screen (given F(x)tec's recent shipping troubles, this might take a very long time to actually get the screen)

We have spare Pro1 screen in our UK office which we can ship to you directly. But I can't promise this will fix your issue as we don't know the root cause of this. If you'd like, you can submit a ticket to info@fxtec.com and we can initiate a return/repair process to have a look?

[marmistrz 93]

22 hours ago, Casey said:

We have spare Pro1 screen in our UK office which we can ship to you directly. But I can't promise this will fix your issue as we don't know the root cause of this. If you'd like, you can submit a ticket to info@fxtec.com and we can initiate a return/repair process to have a look?

Thank you very much for the reply! What would be the approximate cost of both options?

[Casey 321]

1 hour ago, marmistrz said:

Thank you very much for the reply! What would be the approximate cost of both options?

We can ship a new Pro1 screen to you as soon as we can confirm your order ID and address. The cost would be £149 + shipping fee (I can simulate a shipping fee for you if you can provide your address).

For the return/repair process, after we received your Pro1, it should take no more than a few working days to get everything sorted (depending on our backlog), then an extra few days for shipping back to you. We don't charge you for looking into the device, but if parts are needed for replacement, we will quote you. In this case, I speculate the problem could either be caused by a broken screen and/or the flat ribbon cable connecting the screen. The cost for each part would be: £149 (screen), £30 (flat ribbon cable), and then both way shipment fees. 

If you'd like to move forward with either option, drop us an email at info@fxtec.com and optionally post/DM your ticket number here (for fast-tracking), I'll get back to you asap. 

[marmistrz 93]

19 hours ago, Casey said:

We can ship a new Pro1 screen to you as soon as we can confirm your order ID and address. The cost would be £149 + shipping fee (I can simulate a shipping fee for you if you can provide your address).

For the return/repair process, after we received your Pro1, it should take no more than a few working days to get everything sorted (depending on our backlog), then an extra few days for shipping back to you. We don't charge you for looking into the device, but if parts are needed for replacement, we will quote you. In this case, I speculate the problem could either be caused by a broken screen and/or the flat ribbon cable connecting the screen. The cost for each part would be: £149 (screen), £30 (flat ribbon cable), and then both way shipment fees. 

If you'd like to move forward with either option, drop us an email at info@fxtec.com and optionally post/DM your ticket number here (for fast-tracking), I'll get back to you asap. 

Thank you very much, it's awesome! I sent the ticket number by DM.