Samsung’s new foldable design is saving millions of users, but there’s a catch
So, you broke the display of your Galaxy Z Fold or Flip? Well, if you live in this country, you might be in luck Samsung’s new advanced screen repair method.
Samsung is bringing its advanced screen repair technique to two more areas
Samsung’s improved screen resolution is used for foldable screens like those on the Galaxy Z Flip and Z Fold models. It reduces maintenance costs and also helps with the efforts of South Korea-based experts in recycling parts.
Now, the new method is introduced in two additional areas.
Photo Credit – PhoneArena
The service is called “Foldable Phone “Repairing the Display Unit” and is now available at two other service centers in Samsung’s home country. Basically, the process allows only the necessary parts to be replaced instead of the entire display unit. Yes, it takes a lot of time, almost twice as long as replacing the display completely.
This fix was first introduced back in 2024. Its adoption has increased fivefold since then. Apparently, South Korean customers have now saved about KRW 8 billion, more or less $5.4 million.
Currently, this service is available at 160 out of 169 Samsung service centers in the country. Obviously, it is a difficult process that requires skilled engineers and special equipment to be repaired.
Samsung’s foldable phone revolution: Will the US follow?
The technician replaces the entire display panel, metal frame, and sometimes even the battery as one large unit. That’s why an out-of-warranty repair in the States can still cost between $400 and $600. It is important to note, however, that these high costs only apply if you accidentally damaged the screen.
If your foldable display develops a defect of its own (such as a black line or hinge failure) while it’s still under Samsung’s one-year limited warranty, repairs are usually free.
“Financial disaster” only strikes when you drop the device or the pressure shatters the glass, at which point Samsung considers it “accidental damage” not covered by the standard warranty.
There is hope, however. Samsung has already expanded its repair program to include foldables, and is partnering with hundreds of Best Buy and BreakiFix locations for “same-day” service. However, these professionals still greatly replace those expensive full modules.
If Samsung brings this South Korean “part-only” approach to the States, it could finally make owning a foldable feel less like a high-stakes gamble. Before you get your hopes up too high, it’s important to note that Samsung has announced that they will do just that.
It’s time for Samsung to stop the “folding tax,” if you ask me
If you ask me, it’s about time Samsung prioritizes the user’s wallet over the convenience of the repair technician. Yes, we’ve been hearing for years that collapsibles are “the future”, but that future feels even more tenuous when a single drop is so expensive. The fact that South Korean users have already saved about $5.4 million proves that this is not just a niche experience.
If Samsung wants more people to ditch their trusty slab iZ Flip or Fold phone, maybe they should remove the fear factor. Flips are already expensive phones, and while their durability has improved over the years, the cost of repairing one is a big deal.
Offering a fix that takes twice as long but costs half as much is a trade-off that I think almost everyone can take. Come on, Samsung, bring the technology to the US and show us you’re serious about making folders standard.
