Nokia defends defective phone claims in Australia

By Andrew Colley
07 November 2001 10:15 AM
Tags: nokia, lcd, display, faulty, 8210, defective, phone, centre
The liquid crystal display (LCD) of a leading Nokia mobile phone model is allegedly defective, according to several users, with evidence supplied to ZDNet Australia seemingly giving support to the claims.

Although representatives of Nokia's -care centres" have refused to comment about the reliability of its popular 8210 mobile handset, a source at a mobile phone service centre which is owned and operated by one of Australia's largest carriage service providers, has shed some light on the situation.

Speaking on the condition of anonymity, the staffer explained that the service centre had experienced difficulties with an elastomer used to the 8210's liquid crystal display in position on the phone's circuit board, corroborating stories reported to ZDNet, all of which concerned the phone's display.

"We've had some problems with the 8210," said the source.

Several 8210 users have contacted ZDNet Australia complaining of ongoing problems with the mobile phone's display, which they claim intermittently fails to work properly.

"The primary issue with my phone was the display, initially the bottom third of the display stopped working, then eventually the rest of the display went blank too," said one disgruntled owner. "My phone is a constant source of embarrassment. It's not so much as reception problems rather, the display disappears bit-by-bit and I have to tap it repeatedly to bring it back so I can use it," said another.

The service centre staffer was keen to point out that the problem was not confined to Nokia brands and models, but when asked whether it was more common in Nokia 8210's he said it was "more so than others".

Nokia says that the phone maker's own evidence doesn't support claims that the 8210's screen is defective and that over representation of the handsets at service centres should not be perceived as an anomalous.

"Due to the sheer volume of sales of 8210s its natural that a number will come back," said Nokia Australia corporate affairs manager, Anthony Wilson. "The number is not disproportionate with respect to those volumes."

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Talkback 34 comments

    i have had to send my personal ...Anonymous -- 07/11/01

    i have had to send my personal and work issued Nokia 8210's in to be fixed with this issue. My personal phone twice. 4 of my friends who have the same phone have also had this problem. 3 colleagues with this phone also have had this issue.

    For Nokia to say that this is rare is a joke.

    My next phone will be an Ericsson again. I'm sick of my Nokia's breaking

    I'm in the same boat, I've had ...Anonymous -- 07/11/01

    I'm in the same boat, I've had mine fixed once and my wife's phone is just starting to go, 2 in the same hosuehold and bought on the same day?

    I might look elsewhere next time.

    Im having the same issue with ...Brad -- 07/11/01

    Im having the same issue with two phones. Both are 8210's. I called Nokia and told them the problem and they said there was no issue and i would have to give my phone up for at least 10 days. I think we should make a huge thing out of this because they are making so much money putting us on long contracts that the product cant even last for.

    Everyone i know who has or hav ...alex -- 07/11/01

    Everyone i know who has or have had a 8210, including myself have taken them back to get the screen fixed.. it's pathetic that nokia wont admit there is a fault.. i just hope the 8250 doesnt do the same..

    I've had 3 8210's fail in the ...Anonymous -- 07/11/01

    I've had 3 8210's fail in the 13th month (one month out of warranty, amazing huh?) Luckily because the problem was so well known, our supplier fixed them at no cost. For Nokia not to admit that it is a known problem is disappointing. I know I'll be looking at Motorola's (with a 2yr warranty) next time for sure!

    I have this problem. Never se ...Anonymous -- 07/11/01

    I have this problem. Never seen it before on any of my mobiles. Nokia needs to deal with this.

    My 8210 simply locks up from t ...Anonymous -- 07/11/01

    My 8210 simply locks up from time to time (maybe it's running Microsoft software?). This is even worse because the screen still LOOKS like it is working. When I go to use it, it doesn't respond and I have to remove the battery to reboot the phone. Several of my colleagues have also had problems with Nokia phones lately, and Ericssons do seem to be becoming more prevalent around the office... Perhaps Nokia will learn about quality control the hard way.

    Mine's gone kaput already :( I ...ed -- 07/11/01

    Mine's gone kaput already :(
    I just use it for speed dial now.
    Some places like Parklea markets fix this problem for $20 in 30mins.

    Don't forget the Nokia 5110 se ...Anonymous -- 07/11/01

    Don't forget the Nokia 5110 series. I've had similar problems with 3 handsets and I only manage a fleet of 10.

    I bought an 8210 outright at a ...Anonymous -- 07/11/01

    I bought an 8210 outright at a cost of $700. Within 6 months the screen went and Nokia refused to fix it. They said they could replace the phone for $660. Seven out of ten people I know have an 8210 and nine out of each of those 10 have had screen problems. I'll never buy a Nokia again.

    I had the same problems with m ...Anonymous -- 07/11/01

    I had the same problems with my 8210, I had it repaired and soon after it started crashing.

    I have since bought a Siemens SL45, much better warranty and features.

    Nokia are misrepresenting the truth saying this is a rare occurance, everyone I know has had this problem with their nokia 8210.

    Chech the Mobile newsgroups to ...Anonymous -- 07/11/01

    Chech the Mobile newsgroups to see the true extent of this problem!!

    I too have an 8210. I have a ...Anonymous -- 08/11/01

    I too have an 8210. I have a 2yr contract and when the phone was just out of warranty I started to have difficulties, now the display has completely gone. Am taking it back but don't expect much.

    The elastomer or "conduct ...a techy -- 08/11/01

    The elastomer or "conductive rubber" gradually compresses and stays compressed, leaving a bad connection from lcd to circuit board. Nokia has many other models with the same design, we first had a run of 5110, 6110 when they came out, then 3210, and now 8210, 8250,6250. Many people try to put a peice of paper under the lcd frame to give a good contact again, but all this will do is void a warranty, or worse, put uneven pressure on the lcd where it will eventually crack and cost considerably more to fix. Not recommended!
    The aftermarket replacement rubber is slightly larger, and should fix the problem for a long time to come.

    I bought 18 Nokia 8210's in De ...Anonymous -- 08/11/01

    I bought 18 Nokia 8210's in December last year, and not long after I had to return 5 because the wires connecting the "Hand's free" socket in the base of the phone was never connected properly.

    Subsiquently I have sent 7 phones back to have their LCD screens fixed due to the same problem described in this article. If this is "no more than usual" I will be certain to never buy another Nokia again!

    I do not believe a 12 out of 18 failer rate to be good enough, and am concerned as I noticed my personal 8210 which has already been repaired for this fault a number of months ago displayed signs last week that the fault was beginning to occur again. This is a great concern as the warrenty will expire in December and I will be forced to pay for repairs to the phone, or be unable to use it.

    Congratulations Nokia on discovering a new way to ensure you continue making extra money.

    I had this problem after 3 mon ...Anonymous -- 09/11/01

    I had this problem after 3 months. The screen went wrong and I had to take it to the repair centre & go without a phone for a week. The other 3 people in the que with me all had the same phone with the same problem. Shame on you Nokia for selling shoddy phones...

    My 8210 has he same problem. 2 ...Matthew Johnson -- 09/11/01

    My 8210 has he same problem. 2 other people I know with 8210's have the same problem, and another with the 3210.

    I have been a Nokia customer for a long time; First mobile was the 1610, then a 3210, a 5110, and now an 8210. I will never again buy a Nokia phone after the probs I've had with my 8210, and the number of people I know who also have had the same issues.

    For Nokia to try to deny that a problem exists with their product is pure arrogance, and a further example of why I will not be a Nokia customer in future

    i have had fault's with my 825 ...Anonymous -- 12/11/01

    i have had fault's with my 8250 which i got in april this year it was ok the first month 2nd month fault's started with loss of siganal phone frezzing up no matter which button you pressed nothing worked and i could not swicth phone on so nokia said take the phone to phonebiz service centre and they found all my problem's were fault's with 8250 so after spending all that money to get this phone i am very unhappy.

    i have had fault's with my 825 ...Anonymous -- 12/11/01

    i have had fault's with my 8250 which i got in april this year it was ok the first month 2nd month fault's started with loss of siganal phone frezzing up no matter which button you pressed nothing worked and i could not swicth phone on so nokia said take the phone to phonebiz service centre and they found all my problem's were fault's with 8250 so after spending all that money to get this phone i am very unhappy.

    I have a 8210, and it is my th ...Anonymous -- 13/11/01

    I have a 8210, and it is my third Nokia phone (I had the 3810 and the 3210). This is the first Nokia phone that I have not had to take back and get changed over at a service centre. I went through two 3810s and three 3210s. My wife has had a 5110 (which reportedly had the same problem of the display disappearing) for nearly two years, and had no problem with that.

    My 8210, a little over 10 mont ...Anonymous -- 21/11/01

    My 8210, a little over 10 months old has just developed screen problems - lines of pixels missing.

    I've been told to send it away and wait 3 to 4 weeks for its repair - it's my main point of business contact so I can't afford to be without it so I can't get it fixed!!!!!!

    OK I've had it!!!!! Firstly, I ...Joshua Niland -- 29/11/01

    OK I've had it!!!!!

    Firstly, I have been very happy with Nokia in the past, and realise that some mobile phones have problems.

    Of the 8 people I know with the 8210, every single one of them has the screen display problem. In my books that is a 100% failure fate. Of these 8, 5 have replaced their phones with non-Nokias. And after being a Nokia owner for more than 6 years, I too will not buy them again.

    To turn your back on your customers is totally unacceptable. I believe that this is purely an economic decision by Nokia for if they acknowledge that the product is defective, they have to order a recall potentially costing them millions of $$$$.

    I, like so many others have been given the run around......So what do you do when Nokia flatly refuse to fix your phone (3 days out of warranty)??? Well I do this.......

    I tell EVERYONE about my problem and how many people I know WITH the problem. I tell them that Nokia REFUSE to acknowledge that this is a widespread problem. I tell them that they have know of these defective parts for 6 years (since the 2110) and if you but a Nokia ....."IT COULD HAPPEN TO YOU TOO".

    Perhaps Nokia have failed to realise one of the most important factors of success within the consumer market......REPUTATION IS EVERYTHING. And 'word of mouth' reputation (past experiences of friends, family etc) holds by far the most weight in the consumer decision process.

    Bravo Nokia....Penny wise and pound foolish!!

    As a Nokia 8210 user have also ...Amandeep Matharu -- 07/12/01

    As a Nokia 8210 user have also seen the defects of the LCD screen. I suggest that you buy a replacement elastomer. I have listed various sites if you interested in buying. Don't forget if you don't know how to fit one in, DON'T DO IT! Get an expert instead.
    http://www.mobilephones.freeuk.com/PhoneAccessories/Spares_3210/spares_3210.html
    http://www.teamelectro-comm.com/shopping/PriceList.asp?Brand=2
    http://www.mobilespares.co.uk/hotoffers/hotoffers.htm

    My Nokia 8210 is a lovely phon ...Victor Brink -- 22/12/01

    My Nokia 8210 is a lovely phone, does all the comms I need. Lightweight, and small design makes it ideal for me. I wear it in my trouser pocket. That's very convenient for me, and the vibrating alert is always a joy. The only flipside to this marvelous practical device is it's LCD display which becomes dysfunctional.

    I have experienced the elastom ...Anonymous -- 25/01/02

    I have experienced the elastomer problems with my 8210 also. The phone is great apart from the fact that you can't see the display to ring anyone. When I use it now I have to hold it like a GameBoy using one hand to push down on the display and the other to push the buttons! Handy eh? I have 5 friends who have an 8210 and 2 of them have seen this problem. That is a 3/6. A 50% failure rate is a bit too high......

    My husband got an 8210 last mo ...Anonymous -- 18/02/02

    My husband got an 8210 last month and within 5 days the LCD screen had cracked. He didn't drop it but Nokia & our carrier are not interested. Has anyone else experienced physical problems with Nokia screens?

    The 8850 suffers the same prob ...Anonymous -- 09/03/02

    The 8850 suffers the same problems, my 8850 had a faultly display and I was told a a nokia service center last year this was a common theme thoughout the nokia range.

    I have an 8850 where the displ ...Anonymous -- 11/03/02

    I have an 8850 where the display would die anytime you put it in your pocket or it got a bit warm in the sun. Was really annoying me.
    Anyway, once I realised that it was the rubber thing in there that was causing the trouble, I've replaced mine with a piece of the same stuff from a $4 pocket calculator. Hasn't missed a beat since. You get enough rubber to fix at least 3 phones from one 'Reject Shop' calculator.

    My 8210 display has just start ...Anonymous -- 23/11/02

    My 8210 display has just started to fade, so i did a search on the net for "fading display on Nokia 8210" and Bingo! Here I am with lots of other unhappy owners! Hard to believe there are soooo many out there. Nokia, you should take note of this forum and go back to the drawing board. Previous phone 5110 had a fading screen problem too, and while I was picking mine up from the repair shop (5 mins and $35 out of pocket), a guy came in with the exact same problem!
    Now... Do I fix it?? or buy another brand?? Nokia, no sales = no company :-)

    What about the 8250?! How are ...Anonymous -- 30/11/02

    What about the 8250?!

    How are consumers to know if Nokia has rectified the previous problems with it's screens. How are we to be certain that any future purchases of this brand will not leave consumers burned in the pocket due to inferiour manufacturing? My sympathy goes out to thoses who are now in a difficult situation, left with a less than satisfactory phone. And another thing, how can nervous consumers be certain that this problem will not be genetic and spread to the 8250!

    Thanks Nokia!

    I acquired my nokia 8210 from ...Anonymous -- 18/09/04

    I acquired my nokia 8210 from a family member who was given another company phone. This phone was in 'as new' condition, having had little use. I was delighted, until I noticed screen fade, sometimes a gentle tap would restore, this has been happening over quite a few weeks. Just when I needed phone to text family member in hospital,it DIED!! No amount of tapping would restore. So came onto the net today to see if I could gain some info about problem solving, only to find many others with same complaint. Looks like I am phone shopping tomorrow and right now Nokia makes me nervous.

    I acquired my nokia 8210 from ...Anonymous -- 18/09/04

    I acquired my nokia 8210 from a family member who was given another company phone. This phone was in 'as new' condition, having had little use. I was delighted, until I noticed screen fade, sometimes a gentle tap would restore, this has been happening over quite a few weeks. Just when I needed phone to text family member in hospital,it DIED!! No amount of tapping would restore. So came onto the net today to see if I could gain some info about problem solving, only to find many others with same complaint. Looks like I am phone shopping tomorrow and right now Nokia makes me nervous.

    I acquired my nokia 8210 from ...Anonymous -- 18/09/04

    I acquired my nokia 8210 from a family member who was given another company phone. This phone was in 'as new' condition, having had little use. I was delighted, until I noticed screen fade, sometimes a gentle tap would restore, this has been happening over quite a few weeks. Just when I needed phone to text family member in hospital,it DIED!! No amount of tapping would restore. So came onto the net today to see if I could gain some info about problem solving, only to find many others with same complaint. Looks like I am phone shopping tomorrow and right now Nokia makes me nervous.

    Nokia phones Ian McDonnell -- 09/05/08

    Last year I bought three nokia 6280 phones all three failed in warranty and then out of warranty (13 months) Nokia did not want to know me and would not acknowledge my emails. I replaced one with a Nokia 6500 slide in Feb. Early May the screen died. Optus sent it for repair but they would not fix it saying it was not a fault of the phone - it must have been dropped.

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