skimread

Honorary Master
Joined
Oct 18, 2010
Messages
12,419
Hi there

Given the expertise of the moderators and users of this forum, I am hoping to get guidance/advice going forward on:
1. An up-to-date recommended mid-level phone data package bundle deal or options; and
2. Advice on whether there is any potential redress to the below:

I have noticed some very real problems with my phone charging. Besides rapidly declining performance and battery life over the past few months, what I noticed from Saturday is a problem with the actual device socket connection where the charging cord plus in. My phone will now only charge if there is a combination of force and particular orientation applied to where the cord plugs into the device socket. I realise that this is a device issue because I have checked it with various chargers.

We would like to inform you that the aforementioned Zest T1 Mobile Phone has been submitted to our technicians as the phone battery is not charging. There is a problem with the connection socket of the phone that plugs into the cable for charging. It is a phone socket problem. Also the battery life is extremely poor.

An assessment was done on this device and we can confirm the aforementioned faults. We began with the “auto test” which revealed no faults. We inserted a Cell C SIM card and tested the device in use and no faults were revealed. We inspected the device for evidence of tampering, liquid damage and physical damage and noted extensive physical damage consistent with impact as well as normal wear and tear as well as evidence that the device has been tampered with as the screw heads also show signs of wear and tear. Fault with the charging block can be directly attributed to impact damage. Battery life is poor as the device has internal damage following impact resulting in a short and rapid drainage of the battery.

Based on the evidence, we concluded that this is not a valid claim in terms of the warranty clauses 2.4 & 2.6 of the warranty terms and conditions. Also, due to the evidence tampering.

The External damage to the phone is also not merely aesthetic and external. The shock of the impact can and does cause structural damage to the PCB board which can, in turn, can damage certain components and soldering. Therefore when we receive a device where it is evident that there has been shock damage / tampering, the phone is immediately void of warranty cover as further damage to components and chipset connection can not be perfect and guaranteed thereafter.

Unfortunately due to the cracked screen and the damage it has caused to the phone internally we regret to inform you that your phone is beyond economical repair as we would almost have to rebuild the phone and there would be no guarantee that it would work.

We will be returning this unit to you on Monday
I also originally thought it was my battery that caused problems. I then got a replacement battery just to notice it is actually the connector socket. If you charge the phone from your laptop you will notice it makes those the drive beeps often when it mounts the drive in explorer as the connection is not properly connecting. Over time you have to hold the cable at a angle to charge. This just worse.

I learnt my lesson. Never buy noname Chinese brands again.
 

SmokingBandit

Member
Joined
Feb 17, 2015
Messages
23
Zest Battery

Can anybody tell me where to buy a battery for the Zest T1 ? The Zest website's tel doesn't work, die fax no return " number doesn't exist" and emails goes unanswered. Afrihost refer me back to Zest. I have called every gadget shop I could find, nobody knows what I'm talking about
 

MickZA

Executive Member
Joined
Jan 19, 2007
Messages
7,575

B@rrels

Expert Member
Joined
Sep 2, 2009
Messages
2,117
I have a Zest T1 with 2 batteries but does not get 3G in my area because of frequency of Zest ....any offers!!
 

Barge

Well-Known Member
Joined
May 26, 2007
Messages
359
I also originally thought it was my battery that caused problems. I then got a replacement battery just to notice it is actually the connector socket. If you charge the phone from your laptop you will notice it makes those the drive beeps often when it mounts the drive in explorer as the connection is not properly connecting. Over time you have to hold the cable at a angle to charge. This just worse.

I had the exact same problem. I went to a local Pakistani shop to get a cheap spare phone while I send my T1 to zest for repair. He said he could replace the connector for R150 and he did (actually he just re-soldered the original connector on PROPERLY). I still need a new battery though. R171 + R99 delivery to Cape Town. I'd pay the R171 but R270 is pushing it. They won't send to any Incredible Connection stores or allow Takealot to stock. What to do?
 
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Barge

Well-Known Member
Joined
May 26, 2007
Messages
359
BATTERIES TO CAPE TOWN - SHARE DELIVERY?

Anyone in Cape Town want to do a joint order for batteries and split the delivery fee? I work in Maitland but also drive around a fair amount with my work. I'll pay for all the batteries and you pay me for yours when you get it.
 
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freedom123

Active Member
Joined
Jul 6, 2010
Messages
86
I ran the memory update off the Zest site and it was OK. Memory etc all OK except screen is blurry and everything is out of focus.
What went wrong and is there a fix.
Please help.
The Zest Mobile help phone is no longer in use and they do not reply to email requests.
 

wentworth65

Senior Member
Joined
Sep 16, 2012
Messages
513
I ran the memory update off the Zest site and it was OK. Memory etc all OK except screen is blurry and everything is out of focus.
What went wrong and is there a fix.
Please help.
The Zest Mobile help phone is no longer in use and they do not reply to email requests.

You mean the repartition? With the updated firmware?
Try it again and there is a Facebook page you can view for more info
 

wentworth65

Senior Member
Joined
Sep 16, 2012
Messages
513
If the screen is fuzzy then you probably had the wrong entry in the scater file under screen? On the Facebook page for the upgrade it mentions which files to use where.
 

freedom123

Active Member
Joined
Jul 6, 2010
Messages
86
Zest T1 repartitioning

If the screen is fuzzy then you probably had the wrong entry in the scater file under screen? On the Facebook page for the upgrade it mentions which files to use where.

Thanks. You are right. Checked the whole process again and the LCD setting, that was auto loaded was wrong. I repeated the portioning and now everything is perfect.
Memory is huge and phone appearance is also updated.
Only concern was the large number of apps that Zest loaded with the partitioning software/firmware.
I uninstalled about 8 of them.
Thanks again.
 

d7e7r7

Executive Member
Joined
May 30, 2009
Messages
8,905
My mom is having trouble with Whatsapp on her Zest. Messages don't come through unless you open the Whatsapp application. Anyone know how to fix this?
 

Barge

Well-Known Member
Joined
May 26, 2007
Messages
359
Doesn't sound like a Zest issue. Have you tried googling the Whatsapp issue?
 

MoHaG

Well-Known Member
Joined
Mar 28, 2005
Messages
377
My mom is having trouble with Whatsapp on her Zest. Messages don't come through unless you open the Whatsapp application. Anyone know how to fix this?

Is play services functioning? Mine keeps disabling itself on reboot, causing issue with push notifications... (Installing from APK resoves it until next reboot... I can probably factory reset, but after spending several days getting everything restored on the phone with adb restore I'm not in the mood for starting over...)

Also: The very first firmware versions had issues, check that she is running at least the September (20140903) version... (latest AFAIK)
 

d7e7r7

Executive Member
Joined
May 30, 2009
Messages
8,905
Is play services functioning? Mine keeps disabling itself on reboot, causing issue with push notifications... (Installing from APK resoves it until next reboot... I can probably factory reset, but after spending several days getting everything restored on the phone with adb restore I'm not in the mood for starting over...)

Also: The very first firmware versions had issues, check that she is running at least the September (20140903) version... (latest AFAIK)
How do I check if it's running fine?
 
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