I ended up having to phone Sonymobile. Advice received was that EVERTHING has to be intact for sealing to work. This phone (was destined for my wife) is in the process of dispute to return for refund. The second phone I bought for myself has broken a screen while applying the plastic cover - $100 replacement and broke a back glass cover when I was removing the plastic 'protective' holder.
BUYER BEWARE.
I've bought Sony products almost exclusively for about 40 years now. These phones were bought via eBay where the word 'New' may have been misleadingly applied to non-Sony refurbishments. Irrespective, reading user experiences about the fragility of this model has me rethinking my brand preference.
