Any ex Fold users here?

[rsmin]

Just Cecking? I just moved back to a non folding phone (S23 Ultra) and was wondering what some of you ex fold users felt about it?

I loved my Fold 3. Had it for 18 months. I won't bore you with the details but started having numerous problems with the inner screen. Finally got it all fixed, but to keep it under ubreakifix warranty I had to keep the inner screen protector on to not void the year warranty on the screen. Within 3 weeks I had replaced the protector with them 3 times where it popped up down the middle.

So I just decided to trade it on on the s23 ultra. Got a better deal on this trade in than I would have at pre-order.

Anyway just wanted to see how you former fold users felt about going back to a slab phone? Don't get me wrong the S23 ultra is a great phone and I like it but it will take me a little while to not miss my foid.

 

[KupKrazy]

I have the ZF4 and I wouldn't consider myself as an ex Fold since I do have it active but my secondary phone. There is nothing that is going to beat being able to work with that bigger screen. That said, my day-to-day is the slab S23U and I appreciate the screen size over the outside ZF4 screen which I found myself to use more often. I may not carry my ZF4 everywhere with me, but I do indeed use it primarily for the inside larger screen.

 

[neopolotin75]

I just got a S23U yesterday. I've been eying it for a min and pulled the trigger after seeing much wasn't changing with the Fold 5. I've always had a Note and traded in my S22U foe the Fold 4. I had my 1st Fold replaced within 2 weeks for a crunching sound when opened that a Samsung store employee said was normal. Then the replaces still had the same sound so I thought it was normal. 6 months later it would only open into a V. Had it repaired and now it's super smooth and opens flat. I love the inner screen but after seeing how good the S23 is I decided to get one as my daily and just use my Fold as a secondary device. I think Samsung could do better and the Fold 5 isn't better. Maybe they will be pushed this year but I think the S23 is the most solid phone they've ever done.

 

[tcronin89]

I switched last week, I found myself opening the phone less and less. I was also getting more frustrated with the small outer screen and the constant mistyping because of the size. Lastly the folded thickness was also an issue plus the gap when folded seemed like a dust magnet. I am loving the S23U so far and the camera is so much better! I also agree the trade-in was great and the free storage upgrade for the green version didn't hurt either.

 

[Talderon]

I came over from a ZF3. I had a WSD film protector on it since early on and regardless of how I baby'd the phone, it was starting to show Micro-Cracks in the crease. Not bad enough to get in the way unless you REALLY looked hard. I traded it in for an S23U before it got bad.

I LOVE the form factor, but hated the lack of durability. I will not be going back to a fold anytime soon.

 

[rsmin]

I have the ZF4 and I wouldn't consider myself as an ex Fold since I do have it active but my secondary phone. There is nothing that is going to beat being able to work with that bigger screen. That said, my day-to-day is the slab S23U and I appreciate the screen size over the outside ZF4 screen which I found myself to use more often. I may not carry my ZF4 everywhere with me, but I do indeed use it primarily for the inside larger screen.

I totally agree with you about the inner screen. I would keep them both if I could afford it but being retired now that isn't an option. So will grudgingly turn my z fold 3 in to Samsung in a few days. Hopefully I don't get into the fiasco so many in here did during the pre order days. Glad you are able to keep them both. A perfect layout!

 

[rsmin]

I just got a S23U yesterday. I've been eying it for a min and pulled the trigger after seeing much wasn't changing with the Fold 5. I've always had a Note and traded in my S22U foe the Fold 4. I had my 1st Fold replaced within 2 weeks for a crunching sound when opened that a Samsung store employee said was normal. Then the replaces still had the same sound so I thought it was normal. 6 months later it would only open into a V. Had it repaired and now it's super smooth and opens flat. I love the inner screen but after seeing how good the S23 is I decided to get one as my daily and just use my Fold as a secondary device. I think Samsung could do better and the Fold 5 isn't better. Maybe they will be pushed this year but I think the S23 is the most solid phone they've ever done.

Glad you are loving it. Got mine yesterday also. You and kupkrazy are in a good situation. I do still have my tab7+ I can use when needed. Thanks for responding!

 

[rsmin]

I switched last week, I found myself opening the phone less and less. I was also getting more frustrated with the small outer screen and the constant mistyping because of the size. Lastly the folded thickness was also an issue plus the gap when folded seemed like a dust magnet. I am loving the S23U so far and the camera is so much better! I also agree the trade-in was great and the free storage upgrade for the green version didn't hurt either.

Thanks for replying. Glad you are loving the s23 ultra. I quit opening mine up as well during the last few weeks because my screen protectors kept popping up down the middle. Ubreakifix guys swear they were Samsung issued screens and screen protectors, but just didn't trust opening it anymore. Still probably would have hung on to it if the trade in deal hadn't been so good.

Did you have to send your fold back to Samsung and if so did it go ok? Or were you able to do it with a carrier? Saw a bunch of horror stories on here with the Samsung trade-ins. I have done it a couple of times with Samsung before without a problem.

 

[rsmin]

I came over from a ZF3. I had a WSD film protector on it since early on and regardless of how I baby'd the phone, it was starting to show Micro-Cracks in the crease. Not bad enough to get in the way unless you REALLY looked hard. I traded it in for an S23U before it got bad.

I LOVE the form factor, but hated the lack of durability. I will not be going back to a fold anytime soon.

Talderon, totally agree with you. I had mine for 18 months with no screen protector and started getting micro cracks a few months ago. Was going to just live with it but they kept growing. Finally turned in a claim on Square Trade and had the inner screen replaced. My deductible was $149. Thought my problem was solved when ubreakifix replaced it the first time. The first one had some bad spots in the screen while using the spen, PLUS before I could get it back to them the screen protector popped up down the middle. They told me not to take it off for if I did they wouldn't replace the inner screen again under warranty. Took it in, they put a new inner screen on, (took my spen in so they could test the screen BEFORE i left this time). Everything worked well, I babied the phone opening it up very slowly everytime and the protector popped up again after only 7 days. Took it in ONE more time, and they replaced the protector for free the first time but said if it happened again it would cost $20. I thought about just taking the protector off for good but if I did that they would no longer cover my replaced inner screen. It has a one year warranty with them. So that is what planned me to finally give up on the fold as much as I loved it. I had almost all of the original Note phones so this feels like old times again, except better. Thanks for responding!

 

[TwoPuckCanuck]

I picked up a S23 Ultra two weeks ago, but had looked at the Samsung folding line.

My biggest concern was the chance of wear & tare at the fold line. Maybe it was just paranoia. I'm happy with the S23 Ultra though and wouldn't go back.

 

[Talderon]

Talderon, totally agree with you. I had mine for 18 months with no screen protector and started getting micro cracks a few months ago. Was going to just live with it but they kept growing. Finally turned in a claim on Square Trade and had the inner screen replaced. My deductible was $149. Thought my problem was solved when ubreakifix replaced it the first time. The first one had some bad spots in the screen while using the spen, PLUS before I could get it back to them the screen protector popped up down the middle. They told me not to take it off for if I did they wouldn't replace the inner screen again under warranty. Took it in, they put a new inner screen on, (took my spen in so they could test the screen BEFORE i left this time). Everything worked well, I babied the phone opening it up very slowly everytime and the protector popped up again after only 7 days. Took it in ONE more time, and they replaced the protector for free the first time but said if it happened again it would cost $20. I thought about just taking the protector off for good but if I did that they would no longer cover my replaced inner screen. It has a one year warranty with them. So that is what planned me to finally give up on the fold as much as I loved it. I had almost all of the original Note phones so this feels like old times again, except better. Thanks for responding!

I SERIOUSLY LOVE the Fold Form Factor, but the screens are just not durable enough yet. My brother upgraded from the Fold 3 to a Fold 4 and he's having the same issues. He has had his inner screen replaced 3 times now and still has issues.

Bleeding-Edge is great and all, but if you are not willing to put up with the quirks, then go something main-stream. As much as I LOVE the fold series, I am not going back until we get something MUCH MUCH better for screens.

 

[rsmin]

I picked up a S23 Ultra two weeks ago, but had looked at the Samsung folding line.

My biggest concern was the chance of wear & tare at the fold line. Maybe it was just paranoia. I'm happy with the S23 Ultra though and wouldn't go back.

Thanks for responding. You probably made a wise choice. They might be a few generations away from having issues with the inner screen.

 

[rsmin]

I SERIOUSLY LOVE the Fold Form Factor, but the screens are just not durable enough yet. My brother upgraded from the Fold 3 to a Fold 4 and he's having the same issues. He has had his inner screen replaced 3 times now and still has issues.

Bleeding-Edge is great and all, but if you are not willing to put up with the quirks, then go something main-stream. As much as I LOVE the fold series, I am not going back until we get something MUCH MUCH better for screens.

Agree with everything you wrote. Is your brother still hanging in there with his Fold4

 

[mach1man]

So the S23U is my main phone and I do really enjoy it, but my girlfriend and I wanted to try a fold, she has the S23+. So I found an open box excellent Fold 4 for $860, I had an iPhone 13 pro max laying around got $500 for trade in. I was able to pick up a Fold 4 for $380. It'll be here on Wednesday

 

[TwoPuckCanuck]

I was able to pick up a Fold 4 for $380.

For that price I'd pick one up too, despite loving my S23 Ultra.

 

[kide#WN]

I switched to S22U from Fold3 just after six months of use and didn't look back since. As long as the foldable screens will have cracking issue ( I don't expect the Fold5 will be any better) the S23 is a way to go.

 

[rsmin]

So the S23U is my main phone and I do really enjoy it, but my girlfriend and I wanted to try a fold, she has the S23+. So I found an open box excellent Fold 4 for $860, I had an iPhone 13 pro max laying around got $500 for trade in. I was able to pick up a Fold 4 for $380. It'll be here on Wednesday

Sounds like a pretty good deal. Keep us posted on how you like it.

 

[rsmin]

I switched to S22U from Fold3 just after six months of use and didn't look back since. As long as the foldable screens will have cracking issue ( I don't expect the Fold5 will be any better) the S23 is a way to go.

Yep the cracking got mine after 18 months of being super careful. I am retired so at home mostly and babied that thing. Mine is being shipped out Monday to Samsung. It's practically a new phone now that the inner screen has been replaced. I wasn't going to trade it in but decided to with the s23 ultra. I owned almost every Note phone from Note 2 to Note 10+ and decided to go back to the Note series. Love being back.

 

[rapide]

Same as many others... came from Fold 3. Had inner screen fixed twice. Samsung has not perfected the foldable screen at this time. I like most Samsung products but felt like I was beta testing a foldable screen at my own expense. It is a relief to get back to a phone that is more reliable and easier to use.

 

[rsmin]

Same as many others... came from Fold 3. Had inner screen fixed twice. Samsung has not perfected the foldable screen at this time. I like most Samsung products but felt like I was beta testing a foldable screen at my own expense. It is a relief to get back to a phone that is more reliable and easier to use.

Thanks for sharing. Agree with what you said. Not sure why some have not seen the screen cracking and others have. But I know with mine I couldn't have babied it anymore than I did. Never dropped it, always super careful. I am retired and at home 99% of the time so no harsh conditions. I will miss the inner screen size, but I do like the size of my s23 ultra and I also like having my spen back in is solo.