@actuallyautistic From having a lemon phone to having no phone... here's what just happened today:
As expected, the camera module dust is inside the module, and the repair shop took no chances messing with the internals. It was deemed I had to replace the module to fix the problem.
The shop though offered me a different solution: a 512GB or 1TB 13 Pro Max as a full on trade if one shows up in his shop.
I tested NFC at a different shop and saw it wasn't working. I took it back and said "Please test the NFC functionality." The shop resisted, so I just left the phone there and said I would bring a NFC tag next visit.
But with all the piss poor luck recently, on my way home I decided to take the offer for the 1TB phone. Unfortunately this is completely indefinite so I will not have a phone to call or message anyone while I wait for one to arrive at the shop. I decided that was the best way to save money.
I'll just have to suffer through not having a phone. #aspie #aspielife