topic Re: FM Radio died. in Z Series

FM Radio died.

RPekka — Fri, 07 Mar 2014 19:10:16 GMT

Yesterday I finally received my Z1 Compact I ordered almost 50 hours earlier. This morning I went to work and plugged in my earphones and started the FM Radio. I quickly tuned and favorited the top 2 channels I usually listen during the day. I was delighted in the sound quality and especially reception compared to my previous phone, Samsung Galaxy Xcover 2.

The joy didn't last too long tough. After about 2 minutes of listening all I could hear was constant static noise. I presumed it was an outage in the transmission but checked from coworker that his radio was still playing. Next I suspected an issue with the earphones so I listened to some internet radio which played nicely. At lunch break I changed brand new earphones (I always carry a spare) but the radio still played only static, not a single station could be found. Tried turning off and on again with no help.

Once I got home I checked the support pages which suggested pressing the OFF-key under the SIM-cover, did so with no help. Next I tried plugging in some highendish closed-type earphones and when I raised the phone to a good angle I could hear a faint signal under the static hissing.

I had to go to grocery store in the evening and popped in at local store of the supplier I orded my phone from online (Saunalahti/Elisa). The worker was very sorry and helpful but said that Sony doesn't have the same 7-day DOA-warranty as some manufacturers so the phone needs to be sent for repairs.

Is there still something I could do to resolve my problem? I'm still going to do a factory reset before giving up. I'm not very happy if I need to send this to be repaired (usually takes 2 weeks) because this is way much better that the Xcover2 but I really need the FM radio, it was the main reason I chose this instead of Galaxy S4 active.

Re: FM Radio died.

RPekka — Fri, 07 Mar 2014 21:48:51 GMT

Finished resetting/updating the phone using SUS. No help, still terrible (but some, not none) reception. If nothing comes up in a few days I'll be sending it in for repair next week.

12 hours before first hardware malfunction, not too promising!

Re: FM Radio died.

RPekka — Mon, 10 Mar 2014 17:32:22 GMT

Sent the phone in for repairs today. Hoping to see it soon, with working FM radio.

Re: FM Radio died.

Alexander1 — Thu, 13 Mar 2014 15:36:20 GMT

Hi and welcome to the community! Since you're new please be sure that you have checked out our Discussion guidelines.

Sorry to hear about the problem you are experiencing with your Xperia Z1 compact.

Did you try with another headset before sending into service since the headset is used as antenna for the FM Radio?

Hopefully the service center will fix the problem with your phone, keep us updated when you get your phone back from the service centre.

Re: FM Radio died.

RPekka — Mon, 17 Mar 2014 17:26:18 GMT

Hi Alexander.

As I mentioned in my first post I tried 3 sets of headsets, of 2 types. My first "hope" was that the headset just died as I always carry a spare to work.

I'll keep the forum up to date, now the device has been sent to another service.

Can anyone verify that their FM Radio has good reception, as I had for couple of minutes?

Re: FM Radio died.

Pest — Mon, 17 Mar 2014 18:31:32 GMT

I use it almost everyday since I got the phone and it works fine with excellent reception and sound

Re: FM Radio died.

Alexander1 — Thu, 20 Mar 2014 16:43:40 GMT

I can just agree with Pest, I haven't experienced any problems with the FM radio in Xperia Z1 compact. Hopefully you will share our experience when you get back the phone from service!

Re: FM Radio died.

RPekka — Fri, 21 Mar 2014 17:14:44 GMT

Picked up the phone from "repair". No visible signs of service which can be seen as a good thing but the bad thing is that the radio still isn't working! Usually I have received a note from service which tells what has been done and now I didn't receive such note so I can't verify if they have actually seen and/or touched my phone.

This really isn't the way I planned my relationship with a phone costing over 500 euros!

Re: FM Radio died.

Alexander1 — Tue, 25 Mar 2014 15:59:01 GMT

Sounds strange.

I suggest that you raise this with your local Xperia support team since repairs are handled locally.

http://www.sonymobile.com/global-en/support/contact-us/

Re: FM Radio died.

gmcnab1 — Mon, 21 Apr 2014 06:59:00 GMT

I have recently had the same problem. Radio working brilliantly for the first month and a half and then dies with only static heard. The camera button has also stopped working properly. It doesn't fire up the camera if pressed, if in the camera app, it switches on the flash, beeps but doesn't 'go all the way' and take a picture.

Have performed a factory reset and tried other headsets (that I know work on other phones) but no joy....

This is my first venture away from HTC (since the Windows era with no problems at all) and not too happy....

Will keep you posted

Re: FM Radio died.

gmcnab1 — Wed, 23 Apr 2014 06:24:34 GMT

Went through the 'Repair' using Mac Bridge last night which just seems to re-install the ROM. As expected, this has not fixed anything so it is off to the repair shop with my phone, looking to be without it for at least a week.

Re: FM Radio died.

Alexander1 — Fri, 25 Apr 2014 12:38:43 GMT

Sorry to hear about your experience. Hopefully you'll get back your phone soon and that all works as intended.

Re: FM Radio died.

gmcnab1 — Fri, 02 May 2014 19:17:13 GMT

So.....Got the phone back today. Check the paperwork. Software update.

Camera now working but, guess what, the FM Radio is still not working.

Do these guys actually read anything. Clearly stated on the work ticket the FM Radio was not working so they bung on a software update, don't test it properly (other than make a call) and fire it out to the customer.

So the customer who has handed over £400 for phone has to send the phone back for them to probably botch things again. Meanwhile, I have to use a crappy old phone until they see fit to send it back.

How I wish I had stuck with HTC. Just checked the other day and I had almost 10 happy years with HTC without a problem.....THis will be my last Sony

Re: FM Radio died.

helloKitty — Sat, 10 May 2014 15:26:27 GMT

My FM suddently stops working, I have my phone less than 1 week . Do u know how I can fix this please?

Re: FM Radio died.

gmcnab1 — Sun, 11 May 2014 18:07:20 GMT

So. Phone returned first time and not repaired. In for a second time and get the following in a email:

"An additional component is required to complete the repair of your device and currently this component is not available at our UK repair centre. We have however ordered the part and expect this to be delivered over the next few days.".........

So it would seem to me, by the time I get my phone back, I will have had it for 3 months, 1 month of which it has been in repair and this is Customer Care?! I am without phone until I get this back, I don't have and shouldn't need a spare phone....Why, in a situation like this can't Sony provide a replacement (new or refurbished)???

I am away to find some more forums to highlight Sony's poor customer service. When does BBC Watchdog start again?!

Re: FM Radio died.

Zahal — Sun, 11 May 2014 19:06:11 GMT

This story is far too familiar with companies. They have your money and unfortunately we are doing the testing for a product that has been released with major faults.

Re: FM Radio died.

Alexander1 — Tue, 13 May 2014 15:23:27 GMT

Sorry to hear about your experience. Since warranty and repairs are handled locally I suggest that you raise this with your local Xperia support team for more information on which options you have:

Please follow the link below to find the contact information for your local Xperia care team:

http://www.sonymobile.com/global-en/support/contact-us/

Re: FM Radio died.

gmcnab1 — Tue, 13 May 2014 17:30:39 GMT

Tried that and that was a complete waste of my time.

I knew more about the status of the repair than the Sony representative did.

I cannot comprehend the complete and total lack of Customer Care I have received from Sony and will be using the many means open to me to slate both the obvious lack of product quality and the total lack of ability in the service centre.

Buy an Apple iPhone and you get a replacement while in warranty so the customer is not inconvenienced. Buy a Sony and you are likely to have a long drawn-out experience where the engineers are unable to read and act on a simple fault description and when they finally understand the issue, they don't have the parts in stock for a new model of phone, meanwhile the customer is left with no phone for weeks on end.

Re: FM Radio died.

gmcnab1 — Thu, 15 May 2014 07:18:36 GMT

So.....

I got an email this morning as follows:

"Our engineers have attempted to repair your handset under the terms and conditions of the Sony Limited Warranty. The fault on your handset, although covered by warranty, was not repairable so we have provided a like for like exchange unit in line with the terms and conditions of the Sony Limited Warranty. This exchange handset has been fully tested and despatched"

I will be inspecting this phone very closely as the phone I sent Sony was immaculate and without any marks.

I wonder if I will get a screen protector to replace the one that was applied to the handset I sent in for repair.

Why Sony don't do this as a matter of course totally defeats me. By the time I get this handset, I will have been without it for 3 weeks in total (for both 'repair' attempts).

Re: FM Radio died.

Papai111 — Thu, 15 May 2014 07:38:56 GMT

Even for me, the reception of FM radio is really really bad . I forced the app to change the region, a little improvement i get. But really the FM radio is bad ..