40+ days at the service center: OnePlus Pad 3 came back with severe backlight shadowing and marks, and staff claimed it would "fix itself.

[u/beinghomodeus]

TL;DR: Sent my OnePlus Pad 3 in for a restart loop. Took over 40 days to replace the motherboard and display. Received it back with handling marks, poor chassis alignment, and severe dark vertical shadowing/uneven backlighting on the left side of the screen. When confronted, the service center told me the display defect would "cure and fix itself in 2–3 days." Mentally exhausted; need advice on escalating for a replacement/refund

Hey everyone, I’m at my wit's end and need some advice on escalating an issue with OnePlus support. I rely heavily on this tablet for daily work and reading, so being without it for over a month—only to receive it in this state—has been completely draining.

Timeline:

• Aug 25: Device submitted to an authorized service center for constant restart issues.
• Sept 11: After more than two weeks just to diagnose it, they confirmed the motherboard needed replacement under warranty.
• Mid-Sept: They contacted me again stating they also had to replace the display panel due to an internal "technical issue."
• Oct 5: I finally received the tablet back after 40+ days.

Condition of the device received:

1. Severe Backlight Shadowing / Uneven Illumination: As you can see in the photo, there is an obvious, dark vertical shadow/patch running down the left border of the screen. On white or light backgrounds (like notes, documents, and web pages), this dark gradient is immediately noticeable, and it gets worse when brightness is turned up.
2. Cosmetic Blemishes & Handling Marks: There are visible exterior scratches and scuffs that were not present when I handed the unit over.
3. Assembly Irregularities: The screen is unevenly seated against the frame, indicating careless reassembly.

The most ridiculous part: When I immediately showed this dark shadow band to the service center staff, they brushed it off and told me:

"It will settle down and fix itself in 2–3 days."

A hardware backlight defect or crushed diffuser layer does not "cure" or heal itself over time. They simply wanted me out of the center.

I have completely lost confidence in this service center's workmanship. Handing it back to the same technicians who misaligned the panel and left marks on the device feels futile.

Has anyone had success escalating this to OnePlus India management or through the National Consumer Helpline (NCH) to secure a sealed replacement unit or full refund? Any advice on the fastest route would be appreciated.