Yup, that's broken

"NaturallyAspirated" (NaturallyAspirated) 11/29/2015 at 18:45 • Filed to: TIL, Phone, Broken

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I had my driver’s seat apart yesterday to fix the broken lumbar support (which was an unqualified success FWIW - silver lining FTW!). I carefully set my phone in the corner so it wouldn’t be damaged. As I reassembled the seat, the seat back slipped out of my hands, bounced across the garage, and came to rest with one of the metal tangs of the recline mechanism embedded in the top of my phone’s screen. Totally a freak accident.

The moral of the story seems to be: don’t just put your phone “a safe distance away.” If you’re working with something that could legitimately destroy your phone (like nearly any car-related part), take the extra few minutes to find an actual safe spot for it. I have a drawer of my toolbox that I usually put my phone and wallet in when I’m working, I sure wish I’d have done that yesterday.

The phone is likely completely destroyed. The screen does light up and show the unlock screen when I press the power button, but the touchscreen is non-responsive, so I can’t even unlock it or tell it to power down. The metal frame of the phone is even smashed at the top where the seat back hit.

So I guess it’s time to get a new phone. I see the Nexus 5X is $300 this weekend, that’s probably what I’ll end up with.

Chariotoflove > NaturallyAspirated 11/29/2015 at 18:53

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If you want a new phone, great. But if you want to save this one, look up phonefix.com. They can likely replace the glass and screen for a decent price. Also, I bought a touchscreen and glass kit on eBay and resurrected a shattered iPad for $20. You may be able to do the same yourself. Worth a look. Even if you get a new phone, it maybe worth fixing the old one for a music player.

Also, congrats on you seat repair.

DasWauto > NaturallyAspirated 11/29/2015 at 19:03

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Is that a Motorola? I replaced the screen on my first gen Moto G for less than $50 with just some screwdrivers and maybe a set of tweezers.

Nick Has an Exocet > NaturallyAspirated 11/29/2015 at 19:32

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The moral of the story is actually: If you do tough work (like on a car), get an even tougher case. They aren’t as pretty but you know what’s great? A working phone.

- A guy who learned the hard way. Twice.

pjhusa > NaturallyAspirated 11/29/2015 at 19:41

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The positive is that you’re getting a 5X. That would be the Android phone I’d get, but, alas Apple won me over.

NaturallyAspirated > Nick Has an Exocet 11/29/2015 at 20:26

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What case do you have that would survive a seat landing on it?

NaturallyAspirated > DasWauto 11/29/2015 at 20:34

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Yeah, it’s a Moto X. Looks like I can get a new digitizer for ~$80, but from what I’m reading I’ll probably also need another back as well since mine is leather.

Nick Has an Exocet > NaturallyAspirated 11/29/2015 at 21:01

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I’ve got mine in a spigen air corner case that has taken insane abuse. The sedio case for my tablet closes like a turtle shell - I’m pretty certain it could take a seat. There are options out there - including some military grade cases.

SmoresTM Has No Chill (O==[][]==O) > NaturallyAspirated 11/29/2015 at 21:59

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The real moral of the story: iPhone screens still work while completely shattered.

-Iphone Master Race

pip bip - choose Corrour > NaturallyAspirated 11/30/2015 at 02:02

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Kinja’d

Wacko > NaturallyAspirated 02/05/2016 at 16:59

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I’ve used otterbox cases, on my last 3 phones, never had a phone break.