Touch/Swipe Problem with Xperia neo V

[sapandey]

I bought this phone on 26th February, 2012 and it was working fine till around March end and suddenly I started experiencing swipe issues:

1) At some occasions, when I recieved calls swipe/drag to right to accept the call didn't work. I assumed it could be a memory issue where I might have many processes running at the backgroud.

Till this problem spread to the different level:

2) Unlock swipe/drag option also started behaving the similar way as mentioned above but at this point I was sure that it has nothing to do with the memory issue since it happened even I restarted my phone.

3) It has increased more when I made an update to Icecream Sandwitch (ICS) version. The latest issues I am facing now are:

a) Pattern lock doesn't work effectively, I have to make 4-5 attempts to unlock it

b) If I put scroll lock (left to right drag function) instead of pattern (I noticed in ICS that they have made this option and pattern optional while in Gingerbread you had to perform both the functions to unlock phone) even then it is hard to unlock phone and I had to make few attempts to unlock it.

--- For resolution, I went to the service center where they made an update to the software (OS) but interestingly it took me back to Gingerbread from ICS however problem with Pattern and scroll unlock still persists.

Service center feels that it might be touch screen issue however I am not sure since this problem is occuring ONLY at Home screen or you can say at the Unlock time or sometimes while receiving/accepting the calls. It does work perfectly, if I go to Settings > Localion and Security > Screen Unlock > Change Screen Lock > Confirm Saved Pattern. It takes the pattern input at this level with no issues at all.

I am scheduled to go to service center today as they said it has to be sent for touch screen replacement / further testing today however wanted to see if it is really a hardware issue or a software issue.

PS: Since my phone OS is reinstalled by service center hence it has very less softwares installed mostly delivered hence software conflicts should not be the possibility.

I found below discussion in forum which has similar issue discussed but it has some software update which I am not very comfortable with unless service center does it for me. Below are the discussion details:

http://talk.sonymobile.com/thread/33112?notification=sent

[gunsranger]

hey bro ,

same problem with me also ... this is the xact issue happened.  i Bought around Jan 26 th and my unlock slide is talking multiple attempts to unlock.. went to service center and the guy changed my OS back to GB .. then also its same.. he asked me to come after a week so that he can put an order for touch sensor or some thing...

Bro as ur going to service center today plz do post if the problem got resolved after the touch / hardware replacement...

Coz of this problem i am not able to enjoy ICS update

plz see my thread i started with the same problem but could't get the required solution ..

http://talk.sonymobile.com/message/183807#183807

[sapandey]

Alright, here is the update.

I went to the service center today and they still feel it's a hardware issue where they say most probably it's a touch screen problem.

They will be sending it to Sony to get the issue fixed and this whole process will take around 15 days which is a painful long time.

I will keep you posted as and when I get an update.

My suggestion, don't try any update fix which is not suggested by Support Center. Infact have them install any software if there is a need.

[Sam]

Please do keep us posted, however I always advise running a software update to at least rule out a software issue.

---

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[gunsranger]

I did all the repair activities .. befor updating to GB and even after updating to ICS...but still its the same...slide lock takes multiple attempts...same issue with pattern unlock also...i doubt if security and locking modules got some glitches.. but even after changing the OS the issue still there...so i feel its more of a hardware issue...

And more over its jus been 3 months !!!! Why is this issue happening ?? This is too much we buy phones with such a huge cost which cant sustain atleast for 3 months ??? I am damn frustated !!   Sony has to answer this and should fix this !!!

[#6]

I bought my Xperia Neo in Brazil, not the V but the Xperia Neo, in January of this year. After some months I experienced the same issue. The touch screen fails on lockscreen, on menu swiping, and when I tried to move a icon or widget on home screen, after turning on the screen. I took my phone to assistance and then they reinstalled the firmware and the problem still remains, now they took it to sony. I hope it´s only a problem on some devices, but as I see other countries owners having the same issue, I guess it´s a project bug revealed after some time of use.

Sometimes I felt the screen getting very hot, in a call. That is not very confortable to use as phone, since I use it near my face.

As a Computer Engineer I guess it´s the temperature that might broke the capacitor that powers the touch screen.

[uliwooly-wooly]

did you added an extra screen protector?

[sapandey]

To an extent it could be true since my phone also gets heated up though not during calls but while using internet on WIFI that too only if I use it for an extensive long time or if I install new apps.

This problem is limited to unlock (slider and/or pattern) and sometimes while I recieve calls slider doesn't go to the right.

It could be a software level bug at this level however not so confident since one of my colleague also bought the exact same model and it is working perfect for him so it points out to be hardware issue.

Let's see what Sony say on this. As I said it is 15 days turnaround time which is not so acceptable however there is nothing I can do here.

[sapandey]

Extra screen protector should not be an issue since the colleague I mentioned in my response has the screen guard on his phone since both of us got the screen guard "in the box" with our handset.

[uliwooly-wooly]

if their are bubbles under the screen protector it might create issues like this, plus this phones come with a pre-installed screen protector, so adding an extra screen protector will cause this issues. my suggestion will be to remove it and then test the touchscreen/digitizer

this is how

open the dialer -> dial this: *#*#7378423#*#* 

http://talk.sonymobile.com/message/113787