Foldable devices are tempting, but Samsung’s dubious warranty is holding me back

I’ve been resisting the temptation to buy a foldable smartphone for almost a year. Like many others, I have found that many of my initial concerns about the form factor have now disappeared. At first glance, modern foldables appear to be much more durable, complete with reinforced hinges and official water resistance ratings. And to top it off, Samsung’s latest offerings are no longer overly expensive either, at least in the context of other premium smartphones.

Nothing is perfect, however, and that’s true here, too. While researching my potential purchase, I found that Samsung’s durability claims don’t always hold true in the real world. Still, that’s not a problem, is it? With a one or two year warranty, you should be protected from manufacturing defects and possible foldable design flaws. Well, that doesn’t always seem to be the case either, as some unfortunate foldable owners have found out.

A common issue with last year’s Galaxy Z Flip 3 and Fold 3 and older models was that some owners reported that the factory-installed screen protector either peeled off or blistered after a few months of use. You can choose to remove this layer entirely, but given the risk of damaging the ultra-thin glass, Samsung advises against it.

In most regions, Samsung will replace your foldable device’s screen protector free of charge if the device is under warranty. However, this isn’t set in stone like it used to be with the Galaxy Fold Premier Service, which included a discounted one-time screen replacement for first- and second-generation foldable devices. If you want more comprehensive coverage today, you need to opt for Samsung Care Plus.

Samsung’s standard warranty covers manufacturer error, with the usual exceptions for user damage, but it’s not always clear where the line falls between manufacturer error and user error when it comes to foldable displays. In markets where foldable devices aren’t as common, it can be quite difficult to get a replacement or any form of support. A few repair centers even have one allegedly asked Customers to replace the entire display unit with a new one at their own expense.

Related: How much does it cost to replace a foldable phone screen?

I’ll admit that a peeling screen protector isn’t a huge problem in and of itself. At least I wouldn’t base my purchase decision on it. Unfortunately, the list of problems doesn’t seem to end there.

A small (but not insignificant) number of users have also reported that their foldable device’s screen is cracking along the crease. The severity of this problem can range from a minor eyesore to a completely unusable smartphone. If you’re particularly unlucky, the display can also develop a series of dead pixels around the affected area. Check out the gallery below for some examples of users posting on Reddit:

A spontaneous display failure within a few months of ownership would be worrisome in itself. But what’s even worse is that Samsung has reportedly told some users to pay $350 to $500 for an out-of-warranty repair, with the problem usually being attributed to user damage or mishandling. In some cases, users claim that minor paint defects and random scratches on the exterior have excluded the inner screen from warranty coverage.

Within just a few minutes of searching, you can unearth hundreds of angry user complaints across North America, Europe, and Asia. Your posts on Samsung’s own forums seem to have largely fallen on deaf ears. One frustrated owner even went so far as to frame his broken, three-month-old Galaxy Z Flip 3 along with a copy of Samsung’s warranty refusal email.

We have reached out to Samsung to comment on the matter, citing the multitude of forum threads and frustrated users, but have received no response.

It’s these reports that put me off buying a foldable. Some may only be willing to pay upwards of $1,000 as Samsung assures the device will be folded 200,000 times or withstand several years of normal use. Not being covered for display issues, which Samsung assures are very rare, certainly doesn’t seem very consumer-friendly.

Of course, it’s likely that the vast majority of foldable owners have never had any issues with their devices. Or even if it was, Samsung’s warranty took care of it. In the US at least, Samsung’s repair partner uBreakiFix appears to be replacing broken displays with little to no drama. However, as a potential buyer outside of Samsung’s established markets, getting hold of a Samsung Foldable feels like a gamble.

In my opinion, Samsung hasn’t done enough to address these longstanding issues between foldable generations. According to the company’s marketing materials, this year’s Galaxy Z Flip 4 and Fold 4 feature a stronger and more resilient inner display with a stronger adhesive on the protective film. However, it’s unclear if the spontaneous cracking and display glitches issues have been fixed, or even fixed at all. After all, the crease is still there.

I would be willing to buy a foldable device if Samsung’s latest releases manage to avoid controversy. But until we’re sure of that, the next generation will likely be on the horizon. As it stands, Samsung’s warranty isn’t enough to warrant taking a risk on such an expensive purchase.

Ultimately, the only way to be sure of owning a Samsung Foldable is to purchase Samsung Care Plus or similar personal accident insurance. But that makes the Galaxy Z Flip 4 more expensive than its competitive $999 price tag might suggest. Samsung recently lowered its foldable screen repair deductible to match that of a standard screen, so it could cost as little as $29 (plus $8 monthly fee), but that’s a notable cost compared to the standard warranty. Still, peace of mind is priceless, especially if like me you live in a place with weak consumer protection laws.