Chosen Solution

Hello everybody. I’ve got a small repair shop in Germany and most of the time I fix iPhones and Samsungs. But lately a lot of customers show up with Sony Xperia Z3’s with broken Glass and / or Touchscreen / Digitizer. To change a LCD-Unit or a Digitizer isn’t a problem for me. I order a brand-new LCD-Unit or Digitizer along with the adhesive tape (already cut out in the right dimensions) off a wholesaler, clean the frame with 99% alcohol and Q-tips or microfibre cloth and install the new screen onto the frame. And here is the Problem: The adhesive tape is getting loose after a few days. Especially on one of the corners at the top of the device. I never experienced this issue on Samsung LCDs or any other devices except Sony Xperia devices. I tried to solve this problem by using adhesive tape off a roll (3M) instead using the cut out adhesive tape, but the problem is still appearing from time to time. Did somebody of you had same issues with this stupid adhesive tapes (cut out or not) and found a way to glue the glass to the frame of Xperia devices? Like is there some kind of adhesive that is strong enough to hold the glass and frame together? Thank you very much in advance! Sorry for my bad english :(

I had this problem all the time, usually down to the frame not being cleaned properly. Make sure you’re using the original waterproof (supposedly) adhesive. Get some micro-clamps and clamp it down in each corner but do NOT clamp anywhere that is near the screen. I learned the hard way and did damage to a Z2 lcd, it wasn’t big damage but you could see the pressure from the clamps. So, just clean the frame with IPA or whatever you use and clean the LCD and then make sure you properly apply the adhesive without creases etc. I personally hate working with Xperia’s. I have one of my own that I’ve had for ages because either the LCD will come apart or the back glass will come apart, very easy to repair but so annoying to get right. Hope this helps

I run a small repair business and have also had problems with Z3 (and occasionally Z3 compact) coming unstuck. I think I may have now cracked it :) I first clear all old adhesive, clean both the frame and the new screen with 99.9% isopropanol and microfibre cloth, I allow to dry then apply TWO layers of the best quality ‘original’ adhesive cutout I can find to purchase. I add a small amount of silicone glue to the top and bottom of frame and secure the screen in place. I apply a small amount of heat and use little plastic clamps for a couple of hours on top and bottom of screen. This seems to have turned the nightmare of Z3 into a minor headache :)

original LCD for Z3 and z3 compact is thinner than china LCD thats why it can’t be “normally” mounted in original frame. Digitizer must be glued to frame in middle frame also. IN the beginning, also sony realized if they will use only glue tape for z3 frame it will not hold like in z/z1/z2 model so they decide to use some kind of silicone glue and glue this digiitzer to frame with this glue not with tape. we must find what kind of glue sony used for frame or you can buy lcd+digi in frame which will be also glued by china workers. Sony for Z3 lcd made black thin protection foil to prevent glue to run into LCD. I start post about it in XDA forum, Z3 Q&A maybe somebody will show some light on it.

For the Z3’s I’ve always used what we generally refer to as ‘red tape’. It’s a strong-bonding clear double stick adhesive. There WILL BE LIGHT LEAKING FROM THE EDGES. It’s simply because the original adhesive (glue) pulls the screen down more tightly and it’s opaque. The clear adhesive isn’t, but it holds very well. The same thing is common with the LG G series phones. I get all of my red tape from Etechparts.com. Use a little heat after (I use 65C for 15 mins on my heat plate) to help the adhesive bond to all of the surfaces correctly and clamp it tight while the adhesive cools. For the Galaxy S5’s and especially the Note 4’s (which are notorious for coming loose) you have to get high quality adhesive. The stuff on Ebay won’t cut it. I’ve gone to Etradesupply.com for all of my Samsung adhesive needs. I’ve even tested their S5 adhesives with the water test. They retain the water resistance as long as the frame isn’t tweaked. Again, 65C for 15 mins on the hot plate after, clamp and let cool. I’ve noticed the largest difference between a screen staying or lifting on me a few days later is the heat. When the adhesive heats, it gets pressed outward, applying to the whole surface. Then clamps for cooling! If you don’t, the heat will just loosen it. If you clamp it, it spreads the adhesive out further, and the cooling contracts it, sucking the screen down to the frame. Great method for iPads too!

I’ve had success using clear cell phone tape. pre-apply the tape so that that it overhangs the edge of the lcd glass, use a VERY sharp exacto blade to trim off the excess. takes patience but provides a good, tight, sticky finish. thanks for reading.

Alexander, I don’t have any experience with repairing Sony Xperia screens. I have done a few Samsung Galaxy S5 and Note 4’s. I’m not a pro by any means…I just do it for friends and family. Would you mind sharing how you’re able to get the Samsung screens to stick to the housing? The pre-cut adhesive tapes I bought from ebay are not as strong as the original ones. Not even sure if anyone sells the original ones. Thank you!

someone told that used 2 adhesive tapes, does it help? anyone else tried? it seems that it will be a thicker adhesive band, and the screen won’t be pushed anymore by the stainless steel plate probably will try it on next repair

…also had this problem while fixing a Z3. the tapes are often not thin enough so that the display has no clearence with the middleframe, or the tape slided away while letting the display slide into its position on the frame. So i also can recommend fixing by fluid glue for displays. There are several to buy online for small amount and you also can order spare displays delivered with fluid instead of tape. After i tested the new display in “lose” position i dismounted the middleframe from all components and first glued the display on it (you often get fixing-descriptions where the mainboard etc. remains in the middleframe while changing the display). This avoids anything beeing in the way of a propper sitting display and more than that it avoids the effect that after connecting the display with the mainbord the flexcable is giving back the energy bounded in it cause its bended for the first time. Greetz from Berlin, Markus

If you ever open any Xperia phone take a notice about the thickness of the existing sticker cutout and then compare it to what you have. Keep in mind that the original one is slightly thinner as it came packed from the sticker factory for 1st use at the cell phone factory because it was compressed during the time of use before 1st opening. So your replacement sticker cutout should be AT LEAST the same size as the original one is but better yet - slightly thicker. If not then heat will push the display off the sticker, usually this is caused by the battery which inflates and deflates depending on many conditions but this happens also simply because of heat. Like leaving the phone in the sun, warm weather or whatever. ALSO take a note where the display touches the edges. A brand new and untouched/unopened phone has a straight flush on all edges. But when you apply a too thin sticker cutout your display will “sink” somewhat into the rest of the phone leaving no room for the minor internal life thus pushing your display out. It is ridiculous that we have to deal with crap like this in the 21. century. I still remember how easy it used to be with Nokia phones. All screws, some clips and almost nothing glued or stickered. Simple and easy.