Z Fold 4. Biggest mistake of my life! Apple, here I come!

[Braddazzz]

Bit of background first of all:

I have had Samsung phones since before smartphones became "smart" so to speak. Not just that, but a whole plethora of my home products are Samsung (Tv/refrigerator/microwave etc) so I would say I am pretty much a Samsung fan. That us, until our latest contract, and the demonic Z Fold 4. 

Now, my wife and I first took a contract out with Three network, with the S4 Mini, released is 2013. So really, we have had Samsung phones in excess of 11 years, as before that we had Samsung phones on pay and go. Every phone we had has been Samsung, terrific fast reliable phones they have always been. 

So, renewing our contract from the Note 20 Ultra (best phone ever, by the way) to the Z Fold 4, we were excited and elated to own our first foldable phone. However, from day 1, we were riddled with problems. The first being that neither phone unfolded flat. There was always a distinct "V" shape to the phone when unfolded. We thought this may be a bit of a nuance with the foldable when "wearing in" so we stuck by them. 

Problems started with my phone first. Upon folding the phone, I discovered that the WiFi would cut out, but come back on when unfolded. Things got progressively worse when out of the blue, the phone just switched off when folding and would not reboot unless the phone was unfolded AND on charge. Also, when the phone was on I would have randomly occurring problems which could, and usually would, affect all aspects of the phone. So I booked on for repair, being below 24 months old. While I was waiting repair, the only way I could use the phone was to leave it unfolded. 

In the meantime, my wife's Z Fold 4 ALSO started developing problems. The rear screen stopped working when folded. About a week later, the rear screen flashed green and totally cut out. So we decided to book her phone in after my phone had been repaired. Again, the only way she could use her phone was unfolded. Kind of defeats the object of being able to fold the thing for transporting around. 

Bare in mind, we METICULOUSLY take care of our phones. We ruthlessly make sure that ALL of our phones are of top condition, no matter the life left on them. All 6 contract renewals with all 6 phones (12 in total, for us both) have been this way. 

So my phone gets repaired and returned and is absolutely perfect. 57 items internally were replaced, 57 ITEMS!! Which I am so happy with and decide to send off my wife's phone for repair. The phone is in EXACTLY the same condition as mine. I know this because we keep the phones in exactly the same environment. 

However, I receive and email 3 days later that the phone type of repair is out of warranty, and will cost £439 to repair...

WHAT!?!?

So I decide to phone the repair center to find out what was wrong. Takes me a bit of time to get through and cutting a long story short:

"There is a micro scratch on the inner screen, which makes it so we can't do any repairs unless paid for"

OK then, so you mean to tell me, that Samsung are not willing to repair a HUGE PROBLEM with the phone, for the sake of a tiny problem on the screen? I mentioned that the phone has been kept in meticulous condition, never dropped, never even exposed to the rain, never even grazed along a table top. The reply being:

"This micro scratch may not be visible to camera, or the human eye..."

Yes, that's VERY CONVENIENT. So, how am I supposed to know that you are forgoing a massive repair on a phone, for the sake of a scratch that, technically, ISN'T EVEN VISIBLE TO THE HUMAN EYE!!!!!

My God, if I had a similar excuse for something the opposite way around, I would be jumped on. But no, Samsung being a big manufacturer can get away with this without being challenged! 

I was told by a friend, that Apple does not bother about micro scratches on the screen, if the problem is internal. They will repair it based on internal damage NOT caused by the person. 

MY phone had literally tore itself apart, with 57 parts needing to be replaced. My wife's phone was going the same way. And now, Samsung tell me that a repair can not be made due to something which isn't visible to the eye?! Sorry Samsung, what a total cop out. 

The biggest mistake of my life was becoming complacent to one company. To have such a fierce loyalty to Samsung, which I believe could not do us over and dirty in this way. You would think that being a 15 year Samsung customer, showing this kind of loyalty would mean something. That Samsung would be willing to overlook something which I was TOLD:

"Might not even be visible to the human eye" 

To fix something much, much bigger. You would think that Samsung would have some kind of goodwill there. Not a chance. 

Next contract renewal I get, I will be going to Apple. Make no mistake, people, the Z Fold 4 WILL be the biggest mistake you ever make. Maybe not right away, but later on down the line. 

Thanks for nothing Samsung. 

[GuzziBoy]

I'm perplexed, you mention Contract Renewal. Surely if you are under contract then whoever you have the contract with should have changed the phone.
Also if a Friend tells you Apple are different, then it must be true eh. I somehow doubt it. I had a z Fold 4 for 2 yrs never an issue. My wife still has her z flip 4 and again never an issue. I'm sorry you feel the way you do but good luck with Apple.

[Braddazzz]

I don't know how it works with your contract, but our contract provider neither arranges for repair, nor replaces the phone. They leave it up to you to sort out repairs under warranty and/or replacement by the manufacturer.

The friend of mine is reliable, and has had his phone repaired BY Apple, when he had a small VISIBLE scratch on the screen. Not a "micro scratch" which is not visible to the human eye.

Whether or not you have had a Z Fold 4 for years, there are still issues with them. They always have been from the original Z Fold. Which we were assured they were "ironed out" yet 3 iterations later, we still see the same problems with the hinge, and electronics (ribbon cables and such) getting caught in them.

If you are going to speak to me as if I know nothing, then better make sure that I ACTUALLY know nothing first. EVERY SINGLE THING I've put in both of these messages are fact, not fiction.

This actually happend to us, and I am NOT lying. Samsung are very VERY picky and fussy and the point still remains I was a loyal customer for 15 years, the problem which happened was a BIG problem, which was forgone due to an "invisible" problem. No goodwill for a loyal customer. Those are the points I was trying to make, not whether or not my friend was lying.

You've missed the point totally.

[Fold4midedgebroken]

Hi I bought Z Fold 4 in September 2022. I bought it on 3 years emi but now phone'a inner screen got black green line on the middle edge on which we fold the phone. Phone was not dropped or no damage but it seems due to hinges pressure or it's life cycle is just 1.5 years. Samsung is asking me to pay approx 500gbp or say 53000 inr to get it repaired bcoz it's out of warranty. Other side I have 1.5 years emi is pending. What should I do, when my phone is broken and I have to pay emi for this for the next 1.5 years.

[Tatos1]

Congratulations on being lucky enough to have not experienced any issues with your device as yet. But you don't need to rub it in our faces

[Tatos1]

My Z fold 4 had a micro scratch straight out of the box. Soon as I took my brand new phone out of the package I unfolded it and was inspecting the inner screen when I suddenly caught glimpse of microscratch under the sunlight. I could only see it at a specific angle. I was annoyed at  the poor workmanship and wanted to have it replaced with another fold 4  but when I contacted Samsung they said I would need to send it of for repair. Mind you I hadn't even turned the phone on yet and they were suggesting repairs instead of replacing the phone. 

[Headhuntermb]

This just happened to me, my Fold4 is just a couple months shy from 1.5 years. Phone was never dropped and in pristine condition. I was going through the process of repair with potential that Samsung would honor the warranty. The Spigen case that I purchased to protect the device, caused scuff marks on the spine and the rep at ubreak/ifix said because of the scuffs, Samsung would not cover. She said that they revised the warranty language 3 weeks ago to include scuffs. Prior was cracks and dents. Samsung is well aware that they have a consistent issue going on and will not do the right thing. I as well have been a loyal Samsung customer for over 15 years, I love their products and have never had a problem with anything other than the Fold4. I can only blame myself for buying a phone for $1800 on new technology that had yet to stand the test of time. 

[Viclouhew]

Have had the same problem with Samsung and my stil under warranty z flip 4. Won't work unless plugged in yet apparently its impact damage. I've never dropped this phone. Ever. They showed me a photo of a scratch on the hinge that cant be seen with the human eye. $751 to fix. Asked for it to be reviewed and still havebt heard anything despite following up once a week, I get the same answer from the Filipino CS. Its with a case manager. Will NEVER buy another thing from Samsung. Back to Apple I go. 

[Sandyyeh]

My phone experienced the same issue, which led me to switch to Apple. It's practically free advertising for Apple.

[Sandyyeh]

The Galaxy Z Flip 4 has a significant design flaw where it powers off when folded, a problem that typically arises after updating the Android system. This issue is widespread and causes considerable inconvenience for consumers. Samsung should initiate a recall to replace the affected units and notify the public.