codezer0
Android Expert
My frustrations with this phone just don't seem to end, ever. And most recently after buckling down and buying an air vent holder and some fresh charging cables after it managed to ruin three more USB cables in one day, I then try with some fresh cables and find something I was hoping wouldn't have happened... or at least, wouldn't happen until well after I replaced it as my primary.
The micro-USB port is basically done... in the sense that it won't hold on to a cable anymore. Couple this with the crap battery, and the prospects of being able to get another year out of this phone are basically looking grim to no chance at all. Of course, searching on Amazon and ebay, it's been impossible for me to find a first party replacement battery for this phone, much less a way to do it while still being able to seal it properly, as the ifixit guide will tell you how to tear it open but won't tell you how to reassemble it so that the glue is either reusable, or replaceable. And now it would preclude that I would also need to try to solder-replace the microUSB port of the phone as well. So, I'm trying to re-evaluate my options here.
First option is to try and repair this phone myself, since Motorola wouldn't even warranty me while it was still new and it killed its factory charger in two months. First problems right away are:
It just figures this has to happen when I'm strapped for funds and can't afford to buy any phone outright.
The micro-USB port is basically done... in the sense that it won't hold on to a cable anymore. Couple this with the crap battery, and the prospects of being able to get another year out of this phone are basically looking grim to no chance at all. Of course, searching on Amazon and ebay, it's been impossible for me to find a first party replacement battery for this phone, much less a way to do it while still being able to seal it properly, as the ifixit guide will tell you how to tear it open but won't tell you how to reassemble it so that the glue is either reusable, or replaceable. And now it would preclude that I would also need to try to solder-replace the microUSB port of the phone as well. So, I'm trying to re-evaluate my options here.
First option is to try and repair this phone myself, since Motorola wouldn't even warranty me while it was still new and it killed its factory charger in two months. First problems right away are:
- Trying to find a stock or higher capacity battery that would fit this phone, because the battery has been king for ALL of the problems I've had with it
- I've never de/re-soldered a USB port on anything before. So there's a learning curve, and for something I basically need to have working, I'm not sure I want to go that far yet, unless I really have no alternative.
- Replace the battery with a higher capacity model
- Custom ROMs and easy recovery options
- Expand-ability with the microSD slot, making the second point even more flexible
It just figures this has to happen when I'm strapped for funds and can't afford to buy any phone outright.