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Almost Half Palm Pre’s Returned Due to Defect

Almost Half Palm Pre’s Returned Due to Defect

By: Peter Chubb | July 21, 2009 | 11 Comments

Since the announcement of the Palm Pre, the handset has had so much hype surrounding it. Then when the phone was released, that excitement did show in early sales, although Palm only made a limited about of stock. Phones Review is reporting that almost half the Pre handsets are being returned due to defect.

According to an article on Barrons, Jesup & Lamont analyst, Kevin Dede has estimated that around 40 percent of the Palm Pre smartphones are being returned, as customers are not happy with the amount of problems that are dogging the handset.

The rate of defeat has been plaguing the Pre’s in the U.S., not great in trying to close the market gap with Apple or RIM. Best Buy, Radio Shack and Sprint managers have been reporting that around 1 in 3 Palm Pre’s are being returned.

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  • oneAwake

    “According to an article on Barrons, Jesup & Lamont analyst, Kevin Dede has estimated that around 40 percent of the Palm Pre smartphones are being returned’

    Where did Barrons get their info?… From an unscientific survey ran by precentral (another blog). These so-called analyst make no secret they are Apple/iphone lovers.

  • randygrenier

    It’s hard to know what’s true and what’s not. My Palm Pre has not had any problems.

  • Earl

    The only thing I don’t like about the Pre is the lack of apps. I do not have any issues that I would call a “defect”. Something I find to be odd (and maybe a manual would have helped) is when I open an email I have to throw it up and then start the program again to read another email. Does anyone know how to get back to the Inbox without having to open the program again? It would be nice (and maybe there is a way I am unaware of) to close the email message and be able to select another email without having to open the program.

  • Sean

    Earl, I have found that swiping right to left in the gestures area while looking at an email takes me back to the main inbox screen.

    Overall I am very pleased with my Pre. The only issue I have is with battery life. Even with as much tuned off as possible (blue tooth, wifi, etc) it does not make it through the day without needing to be charged by the time I get home. With the exception of a handful of sms messages and a couple phone calls, I am not using it that much.

  • ABryan

    I have enjoyed my pre, however I am off to the Sprint store to see about a problem with it shutting off at random. Whether it sits on a desk top or in its case. It shuts off and is annoying to have to keep turning it on again.

  • JMitch

    I\’ve had multiple problems with my Pre. I bought my June 20th. The first Pre I had showed discoloration that I noticed within the first day and swapped it out. My second Pre held out for about two weeks before my entire screen started going black/shutting off when I slide phone shut. It turn out to be a problem with my battery, which Sprint is saying they won\’t take care of. Then I\’ve started to notice what looks like burn marks on the screen which I noticed after the 2nd or 3rd week. I\’ve treated this thing better than my first born child and love the phone overall except when it decides to lock up on me with bigh apps but the phone is has some issues with production.

  • Glovesave

    Ya my pre jus randomly shuts off also its really annoying but I am gonna go trade it for another one should I jus do that or do you think it will still shut off should I just get a different phone?

  • Hpitt

    I had to replace my Pre after two days due to a centimeter swivel when opened. Now my replacement has the same problem plus it shuts off half the time when i shut it. Also, the volume seems extremely low even when at the highest level. I think it’s the speaker. I called Sprint and Palm and noone want’s to take responsibility for replacement. All i can do is have it “serviced” which will include some kind of glue for the swivel and foam for the shutdowns. If that is the case it will be problematic again in a few months. They won’t replace it with a newer Pre which has been tweeked to fix these problems. The newer shipment have a silver button rather than pearl and the case has “Palm” written on it. (yipee) The “Palm” on the back of the phone are embalmed too.
    I’m furious that i’ll have to pay 100 bucks to replace the phone with a refurb. Pointless if it’s from the first batch.

  • Earl

    Thanks Sean.
    I had to have Sprint replace my Pre today.
    They did show me how to properly use the phone (a few months ago) and I now love it.
    I’m also pleased to see the app store appears to be taking off.
    Now if I can get Pocket Informant I will be a happy camper.

  • Earl

    I had to get a new one because a rectangular square developed on my screen. It was only visible when it had a white background. I also had a problem with the keyboard as certain letters would not work. If I pushed (or bent) the bottom of the keyboard it would work. These two errors meant they had to give me a new Pre. All my programs returned and the only thing I lost were my pictures and I also had to reprogram my favorites, one touch dialing feature.

  • brd

    Mine also randomly shuts off which is very frustrating since it is my work phone. I'm thinking of getting a different phone.