Why I Won’t be Buying a Glossy Lumia 920 (Yellow, Red, White)
If you’ve ever read a single post written by me regarding the Lumia 900 you’re sure to have picked up on my obsessive love with the glossy white Stormtrooper Lumia 900; till this day I stand by the fact that it’s possibly one of the best looking devices out there, if not the best (the darker contrast of the CBD screen gives it a leg-up against the N9 & the Lumia 800). The stormtrooper (and any glossy phone in that fabula form factor) will look amazing-it’s a law of physics, the gloss paint won’t fade or darken over time (unlike the matte- my Cyan 800 got a couple shades darker after a month or two); the problems begin when you set it down on ANY rough surface. The gloss surface is completely smooth, unlike the matte surfaces which have tiny little bumps/roughness on them (which is the reason they darken, dirt and yucky stuff get stuck in those holes); this smoothness means that it’s more prone to little scratches from any object that’s slightly rough.
My Stormtrooper is only outside my pocket when it’s in my hand or on my wooden nightstand, which isn’t really the roughest surface out there (it’s not polished sooth but it’s not an asphalt surface); yet the nightly stay on the nightstand seems to have taken it’s toll. Completely ignoring the horridly scratched backplate (which has hopefully been fixed in the 920 by replacing the stainless steel with that beautiful black ceramic- which I pray isn’t the same as the backplate on the 808 either); the back of the phone is still a pain to look at.
Both the 900/800/N9 as well as the 808′s backplate are scratch-a-holics, the darker shade of the 808′s backplate helps hide the scratches but they’re there, lurking in the darkness.
To be fair the scratches on the phone’s body aren’t visible from afar, or even when your holding the phone at an arms length; but when you bring the phone closer to your eyes and bounce the light off it (more in florescent lights than sunlight), you can definitely see those tiny annoying scratches.
Taking pictures of the scratches is practically impossible, the white-on-white provides absolutely no contrast for any camera to focus on; I tried almost every configuration on the 808 but to no avail, I even tried an external light source while capturing at full zoom. Eventually I took a video (with the LED light on) and captured screen shots off my PC later.
The point is that I can’t stand having such a beautiful phone tarnished by these tiny flaws (HP Reference: I imagine this is how Mrs. Weasley felt when her best looking son was mauled); over-all it hurts to have imperfections on something so close to the heart. So even though I was all set out to get a yellow Lumia 920 I think I’ll be settling for plain old black (seeing how the ash Gray- the only other matte color- looks like a layer of paint primer or a cinder-block).
So am I nitpicking or does anyone else consider this an issue (possibly a deal breaker on Gloss in general?)?
EDIT: I forgot to mention that the reason I don’t use a case on my stormtrooper is cause I didn’t want to cover it’s beauty- the only case I’ve ever used were the silicon covers that came with the 800 & N9; I tried getting a black bumper for the 900 (no back just around the sides- it’s supposed to keep it slightly elevated) but I couldn’t find it; it only comes in Blue and Green which is pretty stupid
https://www.att.com/shop/wireless/accessories/cases/sku5870239.html
Also according to the “what’s in the box” for the Lumia 920- there is no silicon case in box, which is a bit of a disappointment.
Sales Package
- Nokia Lumia 920
- Nokia Fast USB Charger AC-16
- Battery BP-4GW 2000 mAh
- Nokia Charging and Data Cable (CA-190CD)
- Nokia Headset WH-208
- Quick guide
http://www.nokia.com/us-en/products/phone/lumia920/specifications/
Category: Lumia, Nokia, Windows Phone
About the Author (Author Profile)
Heyyo, names Ali- Currently a fourth year Dental Student from Chicago; studying in Jordan. I love all sorts of gadgets almost as much as I love my cookies! (Have: Green Nokia N8, Cyan Lumia 800, Black N9, Stormtrooper White Lumia 900, Black 808 PureView, Red Lumia 920). Follow my twitter handle '@AliQudsi' - no pressure. Thanks.Subscribe
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Lets Hope most of these issues have been addressed in the next gen Lumias. Else just buy a otterbox cover.
Forgot to mention that I really wanted a case for my 900; but I didn’t want to hide it’s color- so i was looking for a black Bumper (like this: https://www.att.com/shop/wireless/accessories/cases/sku5870239.html) but it doesn’t exist, and neither blue nor green match with the white.
(oh and according to “whats in the box” the 920 doesn’t have a silicone case)
Ya i know no case inside the box, a blank bumper could be cool. Black and white cool phone.
may be check these out:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Nokia-Lumia-900-Etui-Case-Hulle-Tasche-Etui-TPU-Bumper-Transparent-/251114320724?pt=DE_Handy_PDA_Taschen_Schutzh%C3%BCllen&hash=item3a77947354
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/For-Nokia-Lumia-900-Frost-White-Black-Hard-Back-Case-Crystal-Gel-Lining-Bumper-/150798889144?pt=PDA_Accessories&hash=item231c5070b8
Which I thought to get one before, but I kept on looking for a black bumper and ignored everything else….too late for them now, let old stormy live out his days “au natu’ral” until his replacement arrives.
Lumia 920
putting a cover on a Lumia is like buying a sports car and then putting that ugly black cover on the front bumper.
lol, o well if you want to take care of your sports car, you got to protect them with bumpers.
A cover would make the “phone” almost 195 grams …
Delete this article
Its not going to happen ! ! Nitpicking
In my opinion: you are nitpicking. I have the white 900 also, and though I lay it to other surfaces than my pocket, it’s still as nice as it was when I bought it (excluding the camera backplate).
One really shouldn’t worry about these scratches.
If the glossy finish pleases you, take it. If not, get another option.
->Is there other colors in matte than the grey version?
Black
It is a bit nitpicky Ali. My 800 is scuffed up as well after about a years use. There are glossy spots where it rubs a lot and some light scratches on the back.
Also, the chargeport flap is chipping for some reason? And of course the butt ugly scratches on camera cover thingy.
It is basic color issues. The black one will mask it better than a white one. The white scratches up, dirt gets in the groove and hey presto a visible mark. IMHO something one would know up front.
Matte all the way mate.. Although the matte black eventually becomes a bit shiny (though not glossy) with use due to oil residue..
A slightly darker shade of grey would have been killer..graphite grey..
I went to the NYC event, and while I don’t know how scratch proof the plastic is, I specifically asked about the back plate. That scratching problem has been resolved and the new back plates use ceramic. The guy demoing scratched the back plate with keys and it came out fine.
That’s a relief, I was afraid that they used the same material as the 808 since that is also some sort of ceramic or porcelain I believe.. I’ve contacted the Nokia guys asking if there have been any changes in the manufacturing process- hopefully they’ll get back to me soon.
Comment has been removed since I forgot to eat my vegetables-Mom says I’m not allowed to post until I learn to respect others (and eat my vegetables)
jona, the useless waste of space and eternal disappointment to his parents.
I’m sure his mommy loves her “special” boy.
Ali dont get smartt with me u will eat dust you desert rat
Ali, don’t worry.
We have your back.
LOL. You can’t even spell ‘smart’.
Go back to your lego, child. This is not for you.
Post edited for obscene profanity and personal attacks
Comment has been removed since I forgot to eat my vegetables-Mom says I’m not allowed to post until I learn to respect others (and eat my vegetables)
Watch out people, we’ve got a badass here!
I think this comment can be considered as an attack. Delete this.
Well i’d rather have those scratches rather than N8′s and IP5 one’s.
The N8 is times better than the iPhone 5 when it comes to that.. i have both phones, one is 2 years old, the other.. a week old, and I can tell its not going to be pretty if I use the iphone 5 without a case.
Well thankfully in Taiwan we’ve always got this trend to do “包膜”, which basically means wrapping protective films around phone, gadgets, etc.
By now not only are those shops pretty skillful, different films that can easily mimic different finish are also available, be it hairline, carbon fiber, and of course, matte.
Never a fan of those stuff myself, but if I’ll be getting a Lumia 820/920, I’m definitely getting it a nice and smooth 包膜 session.
It is too obvious to look at. Makes your phone looks like a piece of cheap plastic
Noo problem you have to buy self-adhesive film as transparent or in the color of your phone and then you can stick on the backplate and then it wont scretch
is it true dude…
http://sitesgadget.com/news/nokia-factory-in-finland-will-be-closed
lol, it is news from 29 july. do not troll
::one month later::
Ali: hey guys check out my new Lumia 920 Stormtrooper! :p
Ali, if those micro-scratches annoys you too much, how about buffing them out with polishing compounds. Just like you polish your car.
For example 3M Perfect-it compounds work great on polishing plastics (ie. scratched CDs). Hand polishing works too, albeit slower.
http://solutions.3m.com/wps/portal/3M/en_EU/BodyshopSolutions/-/SolutionsFor/Compounding/
^THIS +9000
Any plastic polish you get at a automotive store will do for these tiny little scratches. Hell, you could wax the phone while you’re at it. It sure as hell has enough surface area. Might make it a little more slippery though.
I Simonize all my phones
Hmm this made me wonder. What if I have a yellow 920, and 1 year down the road it’s all scratched up. Instead of polishing it can I sand blast it to give it a matte/crinkled surface feel?
Or is that just stupid?
That is an awesome idea! Though sand would be a little too harsh of a medium i think. Seems like this Polycarbonate scratches ad easy as 6061 T6 aluminum, so it’d say no more abrasive than bead blasting, soda blasting would be about right.
Or go with a light etching compound.
Looks as if the display frame pops out after popping the 2 screws out of the bottom. That way you can mod the chassis without doing any janky masking jobs.
I think the problem with matte was that light colors would show all dirt that gets sucked into tiny cracks and holes of matte surface. Having brownish yellow 920 doesn’t sound so cool
If you sand blast, maybe you could consider polishing surface with polishing cloth (with polishing machine/drill attachment). At least my superior matte black N9 starts to look more and more shiny after one year daily usage without cover. Other question is how much you can remove plastics without weakening the structure. Also joints like buttons, USB-cover, speaker holes front glass would be difficult to protect without leaving ugly edges on sand blasted area.
Great idea, I didn’t know I could wax/polish them, any cause for worry about ending up with a different shade of color on the previously scratched areas?
No, not at all. Material is thoroghly dyed with the same colour. Over the years uv-radiation will slightly change the colour from the surface, but your phone is so new that there’s no slightest chance of discoloration.
I use a belt leather case or a clip on leather case for the 900. “Precious” the 808 goes into a water proof otter box. I look at both as too expensive of devices to put into the pocket with keys, coins,sand or that metal button on jeans.
umm, the buttons and camera plate are made of ceramic on the 820/920 so they’re very scratch resistant.
May I suggest purchasing a $10 leather pouch, which not only protects the phone, but also looks classy.
as long as the new ceramic plates/buttons don’t scratch, then i don’t mind what happens to the body, i kinda like my phone to have some wear marks on it, but maybe it wont matter much cause i’m hoping to get the matte grey 920.
I’m always paranoid about scratches and drops for the first month with any new phone. After that, I stopped caring, especially as I use phones for a few years anyway. Nokia phones are pretty hardy things… as long as the screen doesn’t break, that’s good enough for me.
Just stop worrying and learn to love the bomb
i Felt the same way about my car! When i managed to swirl mark it, from grit in the sponge. Its annoying but unavoidable
Try search case on ebay Genuine Nokia CC-1037
and the glossy metal was on 900! but now it is CERAMIC like buttons on 920! Consider this ceramic doesn’t scratch so easily
Ali u must have had dropped your phone on its back side otherwise why there are no complains from other users?
the back of precious 808 can be scratched ?i thought it was stainless steel for camera bezel and volume keys,and gorilla glass for camera and screen.i found this in a post by Damian Dinning.
I use cc3046 case and my 808 is safe,won’t take it off in this case.
Do you guys have scratched on your 808?
Stainless Steel still scratches pretty easily. It’s pretty soft stuff. It just doesn’t oxidize so easily and can be polished to a mirror.
I do have both Lumia 900 White and A Black Lumia 920. I have been using both without a case simply due to the reason that I do not wish to hide it’s premium and sleek design. I do agree that the button and camera bezzel on Lumia 900 tends to have fine scratches BUT DEFINITELY not on the Lumia 920 as it’s parts is made of strong component (Zirconium) which is scratch resistance, dust and germ free..it is still mint like for my Lumia 920 even after using it like more than a month without a case. LOVE LUMIA 920…and I am in the hunt for YELLOW LUMIA 920. And that ROXXXXX…..
I have to disagree with Aliqudsi on his opinion 100%..
ha! but you own a glossy red lumia 920 today
so … gloss white 920 or matte black 920 for me? idk. help me!
Hhaha I know! I’m such a hypocrite. They’re both nice; but if you haven’t owned a white phone yet I’d go with the white.