What to do if the case of Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 bent: causes, diagnosis and repair methods

Xiaomi Redmi Note 8

bent

The body can deform for a variety of reasons, from falling to a hard surface to a manufacturing defect, and in this article we will discuss how to determine the extent of damage, what measures to take yourself, and when to contact a service center, and you will learn what mistakes users often make when trying to straighten a smartphone at home.

It's worth noting that the Redmi Note 8 has an aluminum bezel and a glass back, which makes it vulnerable to bending under heavy loads. Unlike plastic cases, the metal doesn't always return to its original state without external influence. However, not every curvature is critical - sometimes it's just a cosmetic defect that doesn't affect functionality.

πŸ“Š How often do you drop your smartphone?
More than once a month
Several times a year
Very rarely.
Never.

The causes of deformation of the Redmi Note 8 body

Before you start repairing, it is important to understand what caused the bending, which will help to avoid repeated damage and choose the right strategy for fixing the problem.

The most common reasons are:

  • πŸ’₯ Falling on a hard surface (asphalt, tiles, concrete) Even with a case, a blow can deform the frame, especially if the smartphone fell at an angle.
  • πŸŽ’ Pressure in your bag or pocket, like sitting on your phone or putting it in a packed backpack with heavy objects.
  • πŸ”₯ Overheating: Sharp temperature changes (for example, if you leave your smartphone in the sun in the car) can cause microdeformations of the body.
  • 🏭 In rare cases, the frame may be initially curved, but this usually manifests itself in the first months of use.
  • ⚑ Incorrect charging: Use of substandard cables or chargers with unstable voltage sometimes leads to heating and deformation of internal components.

The Redmi Note 8’s particularly vulnerable areas are the corners of the body and the area around the power button, and if the bend occurs there, there is a high probability that internal elements, such as plumes or batteries, are affected.

⚠️ Warning: If the body bends after falling into water or other liquid, do not try to straighten it yourself.First, you need to completely dry the device (at least 48 hours in rice or silica gel) and check for short circuits.

How to assess the degree of damage: check the smartphone

Before you take action, diagnose the device for hidden damage. The deformation of the case may be just the tip of the iceberg - often with it suffers the display, battery or motherboard.

Check the following points:

  • πŸ“± Screen: Are there any cracks, broken pixels or sensor disturbances? Test ##4636## (section "Testing").
  • πŸ”‹ Battery: Is it swelling (check if there is a gap between the body and the back cover) A bloated battery is a direct fire threat!
  • πŸ”Š Speakers and microphone: whether there are wheezing, distortion of sound or complete absence of sound.
  • πŸ“Ά Antenna: has the quality of communication deteriorated (check the signal level in Settings) β†’ SIM-maps and mobile networks).
  • πŸ”Œ Connectors: does charging work, headphones, USB-port.

If there are no other problems besides bending the case, you can try to straighten the smartphone yourself. If you find faults (for example, the screen does not respond to touches or the phone spontaneously reboots), you should immediately contact the service.

Make a backup copy of the data|Check the warranty (if applicable)|Prepare tools (plastic blades, hair dryer)|Disconnect the smartphone from the network|Working on a flat surface-->

Can I straighten the case of the Redmi Note 8 at home?

Yes, but with caution, depending on the degree of deformation:

  • πŸ”§ Light bending (up to 1-2 mm): you can try straightening manually or using improvised means.
  • πŸ› οΈ Medium bending (2-5 mm): tools (e.g. building hair dryer) and accuracy are required.
  • 🚨 Strong bending (more than 5 mm) or cracks: self-repair is fraught with breakdown of internal components.

If you decide to act on your own, follow the step-by-step instructions:

  1. Heat the body with a hair dryer (temperature not higher than 60 Β° C) for 1-2 minutes. This will make the metal more plastic.
  2. Place your phone on a flat surface (like a book) and press gently on the convex part. Don't put too much effort into it!
  3. Record the result with tape or gum for 10-15 minutes so that the metal "remembers" the new shape.
  4. Check the performance after cooling.

⚠️ Warning: Do not use an open fire (lighter, matches) to heat! this can melt plastic elements and damage the display.

πŸ’‘

If you're afraid of damaging your smartphone, try the "back pressure" method first: put your phone in a case and place it between two heavy books for a day, sometimes enough to level the mild deformities.

What not to do when deforming the body

Many users, in an attempt to save money, make the problem worse.

Mistake.Effects of consequencesThe right decision
πŸ”¨ Blow the hull with a hammerScreen cracks, motherboard damageUse soft tools (rubber hammer, wooden bar)
πŸ”₯ Heat in the oven or microwaveMelting plastic, ignition of the batteryUse the construction dryer at minimum power
πŸ’¦ Submerge in water for β€œcooling"Short circuit, corrosion of contactsLet it cool naturally
πŸ› οΈ Disassemble the phone without experienceDamage to plumes, loss of warrantyContact the service or use photo manuals

Another common mistake is to ignore a bloated battery, and if it causes the case to deform, do not try to straighten the frame without replacing the battery, which can lead to a fire or explosion.

How to check if the battery is blown?
Put your phone up on a flat surface, and if it's swinging, or if there's a gap between the case and the table, it's a sign of bloating, and also notice the discrepancy between the frame and the back cover.

When to contact the service center: signs of serious problems

If after self-attempts the case remains deformed or new malfunctions appear, do not delay the visit to the service.

  • 🚨 The phone does not turn on or spontaneously turns off.
  • πŸ”‹ The battery discharges quickly (less than 2-3 hours) or warms up.
  • πŸ“± The screen flickers, artifacts appear (strips, spots).
  • πŸ“Ά Missing network signal or Wi-Fi not catching.
  • πŸ”Š The speaker or microphone is not working.

In the Xiaomi service center or authorized workshops you will be offered:

  • πŸ”§ Replacement of the framework (cost) ~1500–3000 β‚½ depending on the region).
  • πŸ›‘οΈ Complete diagnosis of internal components.
  • πŸ”„ Restoration of the geometry of the body on special equipment.

The average cost of repairs for the deformation of the Redmi Note 8 body in Russia is from 2000 to 5000 rubles, depending on the complexity. If the phone is warranty, repairs can be free (but the warranty usually does not cover mechanical damage).

πŸ’‘

Even if the smartphone looks normal after self-repair, after 1-2 months, hidden defects may appear (for example, the dump of the camera plume or charging problems).

Prevention: How to avoid deformation of the body in the future

To avoid the problem again, follow the following simple rules:

  • πŸ“± Use a quality case with shock absorbing inserts (for example, Spigen Tough Armor or Ringke Fusion-X).
  • 🧲 Avoid magnetic holders in the machine – they can warp the metal frame.
  • πŸŽ’ Do not carry your phone in the back pocket of your trousers (risk of sitting on it or dropping it).
  • πŸ”‹ Do not use your phone while charging – this reduces heat and reduces the risk of deformation.
  • 🌑️ Do not leave your smartphone in direct sunlight (for example, on a torpedo in a car).

Also, it is worth periodically checking the status of the battery (through applications like AccuBattery), if its capacity has fallen below 80% of the nominal, it is better to replace it - a bloated battery often causes the case to bend.

For additional protection, you can put a protective film of tempered glass (for example, Tempered Glass 9H) on the back panel, which will not save you from severe shocks, but will reduce the risk of microcracks and deformities in light falls.

Frequent questions about the deformation of the Redmi Note 8

Can I straighten the body without disassembling the phone?
Yes, if the deformation is mild (up to 2-3 mm). Use the method of heating with a hair dryer and neat pressure. For strong curves, you will need to disassemble and replace the frame.
How much does it cost to replace the frame in the service?
The cost ranges from 1,500 to 3,000 rubles per frame + 1,000 to 2,000 rubles per work, and some workshops offer unsubstituted geometry restoration (cheaper, but less reliable).
Will the hull bend affect the NFC?
Yes, if the area near the NFC antenna is deformed (usually at the top of the phone), in which case it may be necessary to replace the frame or solder the antenna.
Can I put a protective glass on a bent body?
Not recommended. Uneven surfaces will cause bad fitting of glass, bubbles and rapid detachment. First, straighten the body.
What if the buttons stopped working after the buttons were straightened?
It's likely that the plumes or button contacts have shifted when the device is deformed, and you need to take the phone apart and check its position, and the service will fix this problem in 30 to 60 minutes.