Corrupt display random problem in recent months

[alex_ncfc]

I've been having an intermittent problem with the display on my Z1 Compact for a month or two now and I can't work out whether it's hardware or software.

Basically, occasionally, usually when I am outside walking (which made me think could it be a temperature issue, or maybe my walking tracking app, Endomondo) the display will go corrupted with lines and odd colours, but the top third of the display is perfectly fine - there is a perfect line before the bottom 2/3s of the display are corrupted. Sometimes it is much worse than others. I should add that the majority of the time, the screen is fine.

I would take a picture but I don't have another camera to hand. Also, taking a screenshot doesn't work as evidence, it saves the screenshot normally as it should look. Which makes me think it's probably a hardware error. Any way I can know for sure?

Thanks

[Uliwooly]

@alex_ncfc

That is indeed a hardware related issue. 

[CameronT]

Hi @alex_ncfc,

It sounds very much like a hardware problem. You can rule out all software causes if you like by running a software repair, but I believe you're going to have to get the screen repaired. You can contact your local support team using the link in my signature.

[alex_ncfc]

I am revisiting this because I am not happy.

I did as suggested and booked my phone in for repair with Sony. I had no idea it was still under warranty until checking "My Devices" online and seeing it still ran until 29th June this year, so I booked in the repair.

In the description, I mentioned that I had two main issues - the battery life was appalling, and the phone would randomly switch off at around 70% battery left, and also, the screen problem as reported in this post.

It returned yesterday morning after just over a week away. I fired up the phone in the morning, the screen looked good and the battery was working (well I hope, I've not really had time to verify this yet) So come the late evening, I put my SIM card in the Z1 Compact and started installing some apps. This morning, I went out for a walk - and when I checked my phone, I had exactly the same screen problem that I sent the phone away for repair with!

I noticed on the engineer form that came back with the phone, it only mentioned about the battery being replaces, as well as the vibrator motor, and "case" and "sticker" whatever they are. Nothing about the screen. I even mentioned in my initial description when sending it away that the problem is one that comes and goes (mainly seems to happenw when I am outside, oddly) and it cannot easily be reproduced, thinking they would just replace the whole screen unit.

But nothing has been done and the problem still remains. I called the Sony repair centre who "fixed" it and the lady told me it was probably an app. Sorry, but it happens on the device Startup screen (kernel level) so is nothing to do with an app.

This what I am showing you below is pretty tame, it often looks much worse, like I said, mainly when I am out and about:

What do you suggest I do now?

Thanks