Theres A Problem With Samsungs Folding Phones, And Its Ugly
Samsung is just weeks away from hitting shelves with its fifth generation of foldable phones. Of course, faster silicon, better cameras and bigger batteries are the constant improvements we've all been waiting for. But most of all, I hope Samsung will make the Galaxy Z Fold 5 and Galaxy Z Flip 5 more durable.
It's an obvious question, but a quick look at the real-world experience of buyers of Samsung's foldable phones adds some significance. Earlier this month, a Digital Trends reader wrote to us about a Galaxy Z Flip 4 that had been used sporadically for about two months before the previously applied protective film began to peel off, causing the twist and trick to " made a big noise. Scream.
My friend told me the same thing. Along the way, the Galaxy Z Fold 4 started making noises every time I tried to open or close the device, not sure if it was the broken hinge parts or the screen hinge falling off.
Within a month the hinge failed as the phone refused to open fully upright. No drop or external physical damage was seen on the phone, which made the situation even more confusing. Fortunately, insurance can save you a lot of money, but many buyers don't have that luxury.
In 2023, fixing benders remains a challenge.
These are not isolated cases. I searched for authorized Samsung service centers in India's four largest cities - Bengaluru, Delhi, Mumbai and Kolkata - to find out the complex problems of the phone.
Employees were not allowed to show hardware problems with the phones that Samsung was assembling. However, after going through the process of repairing a damaged Galaxy Z Fold 4 and discussing the problem with specialists at service centers, we understood what the problem was with the fragility of the fold.
The general consensus is that the intricate folding technique is extremely delicate. A service center told me that the Galaxy Z Fold 3 had problems with the folding mechanism, but Samsung fixed those problems a year later with the Galaxy Z Fold 4. But despite the increased durability, these phones still suffer damage. Exposed.
"Even if the device shows no external signs of damage, a sudden bump over the bend ridge or a drop in the level is enough to properly adjust the bending parts. stops when the phone accidentally presses against the phone without bending," said a service. center employee, who asked not to be named to protect his job.
Another employee at a Samsung authorized store in Kolkata said that if both screens of the tablet-style Samsung Fold are working fine and you only have one problem with the fold, you should keep using it. “If you schedule the service, it will cost you around INR 52,000 (around $633). So if you're out of warranty, I wouldn't recommend repairing it unless you're worried about further damage.
In addition to the expensive flip screen repair, unlike a standard glass phone, if the Galaxy Fold or Flip breaks, you'll need to replace the entire flip screen and bottom hinge.
Since the replacement requires a new integrated screen hinge, at least five Samsung service centers have confirmed to me that you cannot repair the individual screen or hinge.
Broken screens, freezing issues and more.
A quick look at Reddit and Samsung's community forum reveals a long history of screen and hinge issues on Samsung phones. I focused my search on complaints from the past 12 months, and it only took me a few minutes of vague keywords to find at least 30 complaints about Samsung's fancy gadgets.
But it's not just the Galaxy Z Fold series of hybrid tablets that has buyers worried. Many Galaxy Z Flip customers have complained about screen and freezing issues on Samsung's official community forum and Reddit.
In some cases, random black dots and lines appear on the screen, and in others, the hinge breaks due to malfunction, flickering on the semi-folding panel, and purple on the display cover, to name a few.
Cracking of the glass on the side of the middle layer seems to be one of the most common problems, followed by dead pixels or a line of colored pixels running from edge to edge. After multiple user reports of dead pixels or lines appearing on the rotating screen, half of the screen is unresponsive.
While screen and bezel issues are the most common problems, there are also many complaints about audio and mobile issues. As a Samsung service technician told me, the ribbon cables connecting the hinge to the display can cause a number of other problems, including Wi-Fi connectivity issues.
Mifed users have repeatedly reported that their phone has never been dropped or hit a hard surface, but their warranty claims for replacement have been denied citing external damage. Looking at the Galaxy Z Fold 3 or Flip 3 generation - and beyond - it's even easier to identify long-term complaints.
Digital Trends reached out to Samsung for comment on this story, and a company spokesperson had this to say:
"Samsung is committed to providing its customers with the best mobile experience and has conducted a series of rigorous industry-validated tests. We encourage customers to contact their local Samsung Care customer service representative with any questions regarding their Samsung devices.
Embrace dangerous luxury or abandon ship?
Since the release of the original Galaxy Fold, I've extensively used and reviewed Samsung's foldable phones, which have had a number of durability issues. But until the Galaxy Z Fold 4 I wasn't afraid to use a foldable phone without a protective case.
But that doesn't mean these phones don't have their fair share of hardware problems. Likewise, filing a class-action lawsuit against Samsung — as many angry Reddit posts are doing — is neither logical nor straightforward. The problems with the Samsung Fold's screen and hinges are not due to the company shipping incomplete devices or poor quality control.
In reality, the issues have more to do with the delicate nature of smart phone development. There are so many intricate little components that go into making this fancy "wow" phone. Even a single faulty component can break the whole assembly, and replacing it isn't too bad for your wallet.
And as we've seen recently, it's not just a Samsung problem, it affects the entire complex form factor. The Google Pixel Fold is a great device by any measure, but it has had its own reports of broken screens and bending issues.
Does this mean you should stop buying flip phones? No, on the contrary, they should definitely experience their incredible versatility if they can afford it. Samsung is particularly good at making foldable phones, and of the many devices I've tested so far, the Galaxy Fold offers the smoothest and most satisfying experience.
But before you spend over a thousand dollars on a foldable phone, make sure to invest a few extra dollars in a durable case and treat your phone like a treasured heirloom. Then, unless you want to spend a fortune on complicated phone repairs or update your phones regularly, you should take good care of them. Either way, it's not a good situation.
