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Help Options for phone while getting Nexus fixed

noahj1102

noahj1102

Well-Known Member
My screen is cracked on my Nexus.

I had been contemplating upgrading to the new Nexus "whatever" this fall and letting the cracked screen ride.

However, I'm sticking with my 5 and I want the screen fixed.

My major issue with its repair is this... What do I do for a phone while I wait 2 weeks or so while my 5 is away?

I use my phone for work and can't be without it. I'm using the AT&T $60 prepaid no contract for service.

So what do I do in the meantime? I have an older phone lying around, but they were sprint contract phones.

What does one do in this situation?
 
Here's what I'd do, but I'm aware that many others might not want to do it this way. I would order a new screen, and then go to ifixit.com and follow their tutorial for replacing the screen. That way I would only be without a phone while I was actually replacing the screen. There may be some videos on youtube showing how to replace the screen too.
 
I've seriously considered that.

But I'm also very very bad at anything related to fixing or repairing. Honestly I'd end of literally screwing it up and have to buy a new phone.

This really isn't an option unfortunately.... wish it was.
 
What functions do you need most? If mostly, you just need the phone part, go grab a very basic Gophone. The biggest annoyance will be the SIM size issue. If you have an adapter, you could just put in your SIM and you are ready to go. I've also used a punch on full size SIM and then just taped my actual SIM in the hole.

Don't how easy it is to find a cheap GSM phone that takes the same SIM card size as the N5, but you could research models and then look for used phones on ebay and such.

You could also ask in an AT&T store if they would help you out by switching you SIM card while your phone is being repaired and then switch it back. I've gotten them to do things like that before, but YMMV
 
You could also pick something up cheap on Craigslist in the meantime, and sell it for pretty much what you got it for after.
 
Gophone is a good idea. So if I find one with the same sim card, I can throw mine in there and have everything changed over?
 
You know I've been meaning to upgrade my sons crappy window phone for him and the Moto G for $180 would be nice.

Would I just pop my at&t sim in there?
 
noahj1102 said:
Gophone is a good idea. So if I find one with the same sim card, I can throw mine in there and have everything changed over?
Click to expand...

noahj1102 said:
You know I've been meaning to upgrade my sons crappy window phone for him and the Moto G for $180 would be nice.

Would I just pop my at&t sim in there?
Click to expand...

Yup. No muss no fuss if it takes the same size SIM card. I think the MotoG is a great suggestion and then pass it on to your son.
 
noahj1102 said:
You know I've been meaning to upgrade my sons crappy window phone for him and the Moto G for $180 would be nice.

Would I just pop my at&t sim in there?
Click to expand...

For a little more ($220) there is now an LTE version of the Moto G, which seems like it is worth the extra money. Unfortunately it only comes with 8GB storage but does have a MicroSD slot.
 
Why are you sending it away? My local shopping centre has at least three places that will replace a screen on the spot.
 
thisISjoel said:
Why are you sending it away? My local shopping centre has at least three places that will replace a screen on the spot.
Click to expand...

That's actually not as common in the US. Few shops do in house consumer electronic repairs. Even Best Buy sends them out.
 
Hook said:
That's actually not as common in the US. Few shops do in house consumer electronic repairs. Even Best Buy sends them out.
Click to expand...

Hmm, that's surprising. I'm not talking department stores or even carrier/phone stores. These are places that sell accessories/repairs for phones/tablets. You guys don't have those?
 
thisISjoel said:
Hmm, that's surprising. I'm not talking department stores or even carrier/phone stores. These are places that sell accessories/repairs for phones/tablets. You guys don't have those?
Click to expand...

Yeah they are around... I'll check Craigslist locally for deals on phones here and there and the repair shops, one's that actually sell, new/used phones, accessories and repairs will usually advertise in the cell phones section. I even see guys that advertise to root, flash Roms, unbrick/JTAG, do repairs... All kinds of stuff. But as always you have to use caution with stuff like this, verify the source and so forth.

Personally with an N5 especially.... I would replace the screen myself. Almost every single part on the N5, is meant to be easily replaced and the screen is actually one of the easiest screens to replace. Watch a full tear down video on YouTube, you'll be surprised at how many parts are easily accessible and replaceable. Last I checked you could get a new screen cheaper than the $150 cost IIRC of sending it out for repair. Not to mention the turnaround time. An afternoon getting to do a cool little project on you N5, or two weeks or longer.
I've seen where they've sent the phone back without repairing the screen, claiming that there was internal damage.

I also almost always have a backup phone or two to play ;) with and use in an emergency.
Although, a moto g or moto x would be cool for an in between time/play phone...
 
Found a local repair that can fix it while I wait.

However, I'm having other issues with my phone that leads me to believe it's more than the screen that is cracked now.

This is for another thread, but now I need to decide whether I want to spend the money on a repair or buy new or go with another phone entirely.

Love the vanilla experience but I've had nothing but problems with this phone.
 
Depends on how much the repair charge is and what other problems you are having. They may have nothing to do with the phone.
 
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