Galaxy Z Fold 3 Poor Durability just after 1 Year

[kakk11]

Have used so many smart phone over the years. First time owning a foldable and generally happy with the phone until recently when the 1 yr warranty ended in mid oct. 

Immediately, the following week or 2 after warranty ended, a small cluster of dead pixels started to appear which I enquired service center that it costs S$600 - S$700 to replace out of warranty and I decided to live with it since it doesn't bother me that much. 

Another month passed after warranty ended, suddenly my phone speaker decided to stop working when the phone is unfolded, but somehow works when folded. When all these happened so soon after the 1 yr manufacturer warranty ended and without me abusing or dropping my phone, felt very disappointed and starting to regret ever buying this phone. This is one of the most premium phone from Samsung and i had better expectations of Samsung to make a reasonably durable phone that can last more than just 12 months of normal use and not start to break for no apparent reason on the 12th and 13th month of a phone's lifespan.

 Not sure if anyone else have similar encounter and disappointment as me.

Looking for another phone now and seriously considering not buying Samsung since I enquired around for my next phone despite me liking the device and peripheral integration from owning multiple Samsung products.

[JP19]

Currently having my Z Fold 3 for 7 months now. So far no issues. Hopefully, it does last.

I think foldable phones at the moment are more delicate than the normal rigid phones. So, it's hard to predict when the phone may fail 😪

Have u tried going to another service centre to have it inspected?

[kakk11]

The dead pixel would definitely be a screen replacement so different Samsung service center would likely have same outcome. I enquired 3rd party shop regarding possiblity to repair my unfolded speaker issue and was told it is a common problem and they are unable to repair as it's related to the folding mechanism and requires interior screen replacement as well. only Samsung is able and have the hardware to do so, hence will not repair it since the screen repair cost is not too far off from a flagship non-foldable phone and almost 90% of the current phone value and don't make sense to repair. Hope yours will last better than mine.

[JP19]

Yes.. I have checked previously by googling mobile repair shops for Z Fold 3 repairs. Unable to find any which offer repair services, including battery replacement, as I have watched YouTube videos showing that it's not an easy feat to remove the front cover screen for the 2nd battery. So if mine were to fail one day after the 2 years of Care+, I won't bother to fix it, since the repairable score is very low, close to Airpods Pro repairability score of 0.

[FrankGPani]

Agree with JP19 that foldable phones are more delicate than regular rigid phones. It's really Apples vs Oranges. Besides the use of cutting edge screen tech, you're also dealing with lots of moving parts plus many components running through the hinge itself.  I've gotten my Z Fold3 repaired under warranty twice for:

1. cluster of small bright/stuck pixels on main folding screen (when phone was fairly new).
2. right screen starts to flicker and/or dies when folding/unfolding (after 11mths of use).

I must admit that I've dropped my phone multiple times but since I use a case and hinge sticker, any external damage is not obvious. Of course, I didn't share my handling history with Samsung Service Centre 😜 
The damage for #2 was likely caused by me but I'd also caution that this phone is positively more susceptible to physical failures than regular phones, including Note and S series.

The warranty for my Z Fold3 is going to expire soon and I will need to baby it thereafter.  I kind of regret not getting the 2nd year Samsung Care+ but my thoughts are I'll just upgrade when the time comes since support for older models will become increasingly challenging/costly and the phone is almost impossible to repair by 3rd party.

The point is if you're looking for a durable phone, I would stay far far away from the Z series. What you give up on durability, you'll gain in utility. I've totaling stopped using a tablet since I switching to the Z Fold3. Call me a sucker, but I will gladly continue to stay with the Z Fold series and use it as my daily driver. Even Bill Gates admits to as much.

[kakk11]

Yes. I do regret not getting the 2 yr extended care as well. I feel that it is almost a necessity to get it for the z series knowing what I know now. Just that going back 12 months. I wouldn't think that the 3rd iteration of a flagship series, there are still so much durability concerns, plus I look after my phones quite well generally, always with a case to protect the phone as reasonably as possible and take care not to drop my phone.

[FrankGPani]

Very sorry to hear about your phone. I honestly am not sure what I would do if I were in your situation. First time hearing about the speaker issue myself. I hope Samsung has taken note of all these when building the Z Fold4 and beyond.

I thought so too that the 3rd iteration would be stable but the tech is apparently still so new that we're all 'post-Beta' testers for Samsung. I dare not recommend the Z Fold phones to my friends who are more risk adverse.

Your experience is also why it's super dangerous to buy a <insert China phone brand here> folding phone that seems to be appearing all over the place these days. Durability and support are not things to be taken lightly. Cheers.

[JP19]

Yeah also saw many online comments shooting Samsung foldables due to the crease and praising other brands' foldables for their slim, compact and less visible crease.

They have missed out that Samsung's among all current foldables are the most durable and provide IPX8 water resistance rating.

[FrankGPani]

I forgot to mention that when they repaired my main internal folding screen, they swapped in a set of new batteries too (Parts No. GH82-26236A, GH82-26237A). Check with Samsung if that's included with your repair if you choose to send in your phone. Takes away some of the sting of paying for a costly internal screen replacement if you get a set of fresh batteries.

[JP19]

May I ask if you got this Z Fold 3 thru a telco contract or standalone purchase?