Can The Essential Ph-1 Screen Be Repaired

dorkshoei

My wife'southward Essential PH-1 screen filled with lines while she was using it (listening to music). Phone connected working until she tried to reboot information technology.

Afterward reboot screen now looks like this. I tried powering off, then power+vol-upwardly and ability+vol-down only just see the same.

I think the cpu is still working every bit pushing buttons elicits the tactile vibration response but screen seems gone.

Obviously Essential is out of business. In addition I've read a few posts that even when they were in business organization they were not repairing dead/cracked screens rather just replacing the phone.

So here is the question. Is it repairable? If so, by whom? At what cost?

kt-Froggy · May thirteen, 2022

So here is the question. Is it repairable? If so, by whom? At what toll?

If the issue is really just a failed screen and not the mainboard, it's most definitely repairable, and the replacement can be done relatively hands at dwelling house (been there, washed that). Good quality aftermarket replacement screens are available and not expensive (I bought mine on Amazon more than than a year ago for United states of america$70, and at present I can encounter them for less than $fifty). The process itself is of average difficulty (non likewise bad compared to another phones), but could be a chip too much for someone with no experience any. Fixez.com has a dandy and useful video (don't utilize the guide from ifixit.com, they screwed upwardly this one).
I am certain any repair shop would be able to practice this job, if y'all are not a DIY kind of person, but I have no thought what they would charge. Or think of any friend you may accept who is proficient with electronics (hobby or pro)...

dorkshoei · May thirteen, 2022

If the upshot is really only a failed screen and not the mainboard, it's about definitely repairable, and the replacement tin exist washed relatively easily at home (been there, done that).

I idea I'd read that the PH-1 was very hard to access, that iFixit basically trashed one trying to get information technology open. It has a 1/10 repairability rating on the site.

I've washed LCD screen replacements before on other phones but always the ones with a plastic example where it's just a uncomplicated task of opening the back using a spudger.

Yeah, no inkling if this is the screen or a mainboard event. $fifty isn't bad if it's the screen but it'due south wasted greenbacks if it turns out to exist a deeper trouble.

dorkshoei · May thirteen, 2022

Okay, that'south funny. I but put my fingernail under the bezel and saw it was loose. Lifted slightly and the entire screen popped off as it at that place was zilch agglutinative.

Okay, screen replacement looks fairly simple at this point, IF IT IS THE LCD. I take a tube of B-7000.

kt-Froggy · Jul 12, 2022

I idea I'd read that the PH-1 was very hard to access, that iFixit basically trashed one.
I've done LCD screen replacements before on other phones simply always the ones with a plastic case where information technology's just a simple chore of opening the dorsum using a spudger.

Yeah, no clue if this is the screen or a mainboard issue. $seventy isn't bad if it'southward the screen but it's wasted cash if it turns out to be a deeper problem.

That'due south why I said don't do it the way Ifixit did, LOL... Sentry the video from fixez.com. You demand to be careful, and know how to use a rut gun properly. Otherwise, it's not that hard. And you demand to get either a narrow (1mm) adhesive record or a liquid glue to mount the new screen. Also, a couple of things to watch out for effectually the earpiece opening and silicone gasket for the front camera. If you consider a DYI job, feel complimentary to PM me, I'll be happy to help. My PH-1 has been working perfectly since the repair in February 2022, and I've done screen replacements quite a few times on like phone designs like Sony Xperia Z series.

dorkshoei

You demand to be careful, and know how to employ a heat gun properly.

I have an SMD rework preheater that works cracking for softening the glue on screens, far more precise than a heat gun .... but as I said above I don't think I'll demand it

Now, the issue is whether it's a mainboard event or LCD.

kt-Froggy

Okay, that'south funny. I just put my fingernail nether the bezel and saw it was loose. Lifted slightly and the entire screen popped off every bit it there was cypher adhesive.
Okay, screen replacement looks fairly unproblematic at this point, IF IT IS THE LCD. I have a tube of B-7000.

https://www.amazon.com/Essential-Digitizer-Replacement-Assembly-Complete/dp/B07CLNDBZS/
@kt-Froggy Is the above what you were referring to. I guess I can always order, come across if it fixes, else render it.

Fixez has one for $24
https://www.fixez.com/essential-telephone-ph-one-screen-replacement

Yep, that'southward exactly the screen I got, and left a detailed review on Jan 29, 2022 (from a user KT). $24 from Fixez is even better, and sounds like a no-brainer. And if your screen is already removed, and then you don't have to do the about difficult part. Just plug in the new screen and confirm if it works

Like I said, be careful effectually the earpiece opening and the gasket. Expert luck!

dorkshoei

Ok, ordered from Fixez. Nosotros shall see if it corrects the event.

gk1984

I thought I'd read that the PH-1 was very hard to access, that iFixit basically trashed 1 trying to get it open. Information technology has a 1/10 repairability rating on the site.
I've done LCD screen replacements before on other phones but always the ones with a plastic case where it's just a simple task of opening the back using a spudger.

Yep, no clue if this is the screen or a mainboard result. $50 isn't bad if it's the screen but it'southward wasted greenbacks if it turns out to be a deeper problem.

Search the Reddit AMA posts on the Essential sub-reddit from the autumn of 2022. Essential was asked about iFixit'due south teardown and rating. Essential's response was that they gave iFixit instructions to opening the phone just they ignored them completely. They said you apply rut to the sides, even gave a specific temperature, to loosen the adhesive and use a suction loving cup to elevator the screen off. Nigh people use some sparse tools to get under the screen though. But it's much easier to do than iFixit makes you recollect. I'm non sure why they ****ed that up and so badly. Ignore their guide and find a ameliorate one.

My business concern is how delicate the screen is. I want to replace the bombardment but haven't opened this phone nonetheless. I have seen lots of people supplant the battery and damage the screen.

kt-Froggy · May 16, 2022

Search the Reddit AMA posts on the Essential sub-reddit from the autumn of 2022. Essential was asked nigh iFixit'southward teardown and rating. Essential's response was that they gave iFixit instructions to opening the phone simply they ignored them completely. They said you apply oestrus to the sides, even gave a specific temperature, to loosen the adhesive and apply a suction cup to lift the screen off. Most people use some thin tools to get under the screen though. Simply it'southward much easier to practice than iFixit makes y'all call up. I'm non sure why they ****ed that up so badly. Ignore their guide and find a amend one.
My concern is how delicate the screen is. I want to supervene upon the battery but oasis't opened this phone nevertheless. I accept seen lots of people replace the battery and damage the screen.

Yeah, big surprise with the guide from iFixit... This one left me scratching my head. Probably the only 1 I know where they and then royally screwed up.

A few comments from my experience replacing the screen on PH-1... The screen on my phone was shatterred badly enough to brand a suction cup useless, and so I had to pry it out (still, with a rut gun). At that place was no concern nigh saving it, anyhow. But if I had to open up the phone again, e.one thousand. for replacing the battery, I am pretty confident I could exercise that safely. From the repairability standpoint, at that place are 2 problems with the screen on this telephone. One is a very narrow shoulder to mount the screen assembly to the frame (but this is also a expert thing, as there's non that much adhesive to struggle with). And the other is a very fragile "sandwich" backside the glass that contains the LCD and the backlight components. It'southward besides like shooting fish in a barrel to damage that sandwich from the sides with a tool, fifty-fifty made of plastic. It will exist pretty obvious once you have a replacement screen in your hands and take a close look at information technology.

A general upshot with disassembling the phones of this design at dwelling is that about people volition not exist able to oestrus the perimeter evenly to lift the screen off by a suction cup only (I know I can't). So, yous would most probably have to use some tool around the edges. The play a trick on is to Not pry the screen out (or you lot volition crack the border), only only utilize a tool to carefully undercut the adhesive as yous pull with a suction loving cup, then the screen can divide from the frame. This way, you lot can gradually piece of work your way around the perimeter, while heating it up and lifting the screen with a suction cup. A sparse plastic spudger would work. If y'all really experience adventurous, peradventure a hobby knife, but I don't recommend it. I would suggest starting from the pinnacle, as the adhesive strip under the earpiece is extremely thin, and it would be easier lifting off that part of the screen as you lot heat it.

Another thing is to Not reach deeper than about 1mm under the edge of the screen with any tool, otherwise you are risking damaging the LCD assembly.

dorkshoei

Update. Screen from Fixez.com ($28 shipped) stock-still the issue. Happy wife. Happy me.

Like shooting fish in a barrel install, just used some B7000 glue I already had. Clamped screen down for 24 hours.
@kt-Froggy cheers for your help and encouragement.