Xperia Z - micro USB port weak point

[Becky]

The micro USB port on my z has stopped receiving charge and won't even allow the charger to be plugged into it any more.

The port is uniform in shape which doesn't allow you to know which way round to plug the charger, so you have to guess. Guessing places stress on the pins inside the port. In my case, they seem to have suffered because of this (imho) design fault. USBs can only be inserted one way round, so the user needs to know which way to insert it.

I am wondering if this will be a common weak spot on these phones once they have been in circulation a while?

[krisehandtering]

I have had the same problem with two Sony Experia Z telephones.

Just to test the service quality at the point of sales in Norway, Lefdal, and their Service Partner Delta Service, I sent the telephone for repair. I was told they would have to change the motherboard, I would loose all docs on telephone and the price would be almost the same as buying a new one.

NONE OF THEM told me about the simple soution to this problem. Just use the docking station delivered with the telephone - or buye one, and load it via the docking station. The telephone is fully functional and you can transfer docs and pics via bluteooth or PC/Internet.

The micro USB port on these telephones are extremely weak and this is a weaknes that might create problems for Sony reputation. 

[mfonet]

The micro USB port connector broke in my case. This phone was only with me for less than 1 and a half years.

It didn't allow charging and the pins in the port were not aligned.

When I went to the Sony repair centre, I was told that I need to pay a fee for investigation to be done, after which they need to see if the pin can be soldered back. If the connection to the motherboard was affected, they might need to replace the entire motherboard, which costs as much as a new phone under contract.

I'm really disappointed with the design. This looks more like a manufacturing defect and it's very disappointing to hear that I need to pay so much for a lousy design

[Rubbish]

I was working , my wife was at home with our son he had been ill that week . That night my wife gave my son calpol and went back to bed looking at her phone she noticed the phone needed some power , and at about 3 am put in the charger the wrong way our mistake but who ever designed that part of the phone needs shot. It's utter rubbish and sony know that because it's no longer like that on the new model , I was sony daft ...play station my headphones my tv all sony ... X box one for me next ..... Vodafone **bleep** calling them tomorrow and paying them line rental only .... I called the sony repair place lots ... One day I might get to talk to someone (I used to like that primal scream song )

[odigon]

Same problem as everyone else here.  Had the phone less than a year, did not force the connector, I did notice the poor design of the socket though.  Once day the charging pin was simply not there anymore; response from Vodafone was that Sony had deemed the damage to be not under warranty and charge for repair would be $350.
Has anybody in Australia had a positive outcome from this?   I would think either the TIO or Fair Trading should be able to help.

 

[djbrightman]

Same again - damaged port. No charging or connectivity available via USB

Luckiliy for me I am on an insurance plan so can get the phone replaced, however that doesn't detract from the shocking design flaw.

My issue now is how I back up my phone (non cloud/sd things) prior to swap.  Ideally I should be able to pair over WiFi, but this seems to require a successful USB connection to initiate pairing... I'll kick off another post to see if anyone has a solution to that!

As for the docking station - can't be used with a case (without taking it off every night). I believe a case is fundamental for this type of phone i.e. glass with hard edges

Has Sony resolved the port shape/design in the subsequent models (i.e. Z2 and now Z3)?

David

[sousou25]

Again the same problem... Is anyone have this problem in France? Sosh, by Orange, tell me the warranty doesn't work... I'm waiting for reclamation answer and a Sony answer... I'm desappointed...

[patsar]

I have the same problem in Greece. Sony Xperia service blame me for destroying my phone's charging plug by inserting USB charger carelessly. I have the phone for nime months and they ask me to pay around 40 Euros. What a shame. I will never buy any Sony product.

[Popsicle]

Hi I had my first Xperia 6 months ago when the port broke. I paid 100 pounds for a repair that in the end wasn't repairable. After the most frustrating awful customer service with virgin mobile I eventually got a new phone. Two weeks later the same thing happened and we are now going through an ombudsman as Virgin want another 100 pounds to repair it. It is obvious this is a design flaw and they are ripping off their customers. I also wasn't told I could use a charging dock which costs around 8 pounds. Off course not, they want your money. Terrible customer care practice. I seriously think these phones should NOT be sold.

[Dissapointedcus]

My Experia has just broken. Same problem, the micro USB. I'm on a plan with Vodafone Australia so I'm stuck with this mobile for another 20 months. There doesn't seem to be much point trying to contact Sony as all the forums/message boards are saying they are washing their hands of their own inept design flaw. Are you not embaressed Sony? Your Brand is suffering and you are going to loose cerain customers for life. Isn't it time you took some responsiblity for your mistakes.

[JJ26]

I had this same issue, first the charging port became loose and it was inevitable it would break entirerly. A week after becoming loose it completely came out inside the charger. I read this forum and feared the worst. I then contacted Sony by phone and when I mentioned this was a 'known problem' the woman at the call centre jumped down my throat to say defianty that it wasnt a known problem. Anyway surprisingly this story does have a happy ending, I took my phone to a local phone repair shop as I decided against wasting my money sending it to Sony for them to tell me it was my fault and beyond economic repair. My local phone repair shop charged me 15 pounds to install a new charging port and my phone was as good as new.