So long to the Fold...

[Talderon]

Well, I gone and done it.

I have had my Z Fold 3 since launch. I have not had ANY issues whatsoever with it, until now.

The inner screen is starting to show some very small micro-cracks on the bottom of the crease. It is not impacting the display at all, you have to look REALLY close with a white screen to really be able to see it.

I'm jumping back to a normal phone until I am convinced that the Foldable phones have some more of these little issues fixed.

I ordered my S23 Ultra 512GB and am just going to deal with it for now.

 

[srgonu]

I don't think I can go back to candy bar phones anytime soon. Am still enjoying ZF3 and waiting for ZF5. Battery life is the only thing that bothers me a little at this time. I hope the + version of Qualcomm processor on ZF5 should be awesome.

Sent from my SM-F926U1 using Tapatalk

 

[Laura Knotek]

Well, I gone and done it.

I have had my Z Fold 3 since launch. I have not had ANY issues whatsoever with it, until now.

The inner screen is starting to show some very small micro-cracks on the bottom of the crease. It is not impacting the display at all, you have to look REALLY close with a white screen to really be able to see it.

I'm jumping back to a normal phone until I am convinced that the Foldable phones have some more of these little issues fixed.

I ordered my S23 Ultra 512GB and am just going to deal with it for now.

I'm sorry that you have issues with your Z Fold 3.

Good luck with your new S23 Ultra. What colour are you getting?

Sent from my SM-S908U1 using Tapatalk

 

[J Dubbs]

Well, I gone and done it.

I have had my Z Fold 3 since launch. I have not had ANY issues whatsoever with it, until now.

The inner screen is starting to show some very small micro-cracks on the bottom of the crease. It is not impacting the display at all, you have to look REALLY close with a white screen to really be able to see it.

I'm jumping back to a normal phone until I am convinced that the Foldable phones have some more of these little issues fixed.

I ordered my S23 Ultra 512GB and am just going to deal with it for now.

Just have the screen protector replaced and you're good to go with your fold if you want to keep it. From what I've read most good shops can replace it for $20 or so, or you can do it yourself. That's what I plan on doing with my Flip 3.

 

[rsmin]

Well, I gone and done it.

I have had my Z Fold 3 since launch. I have not had ANY issues whatsoever with it, until now.

The inner screen is starting to show some very small micro-cracks on the bottom of the crease. It is not impacting the display at all, you have to look REALLY close with a white screen to really be able to see it.

I'm jumping back to a normal phone until I am convinced that the Foldable phones have some more of these little issues fixed.

I ordered my S23 Ultra 512GB and am just going to deal with it for now.

Talderon: I too have the micro cracks in my fold3 screen and just love this phone but also wonder how long these screens will last. I am retired now and will keep the phone till it plays out for I don't have the money to upgrade and change at the place I used too. I just wonder if Samsung knows that these screens have potential for these micro cracks. I am very very careful with this phone and maybe if it finally goes out my insurance will cover it. (Don't have Samsung Care). I contemplated the s23 ultra but Samsung only offering $490 for the fold 3 and besides I have cracks in the screen. Also, not sure I can enjoy a candy bar phone like I have this one.

Anyway, I understand your decision to go to the s23, hope you enjoy the new phone.

Also, if anyone else thinks this is the screen protector, it's not. I don't have one on this phone.

 

[Morty2264]

I'm really sorry that happened to you! Micro scratches are frustrating and I bet in time they'd get worse!

 

[J Dubbs]

Talderon: I too have the micro cracks in my fold3 screen and just love this phone but also wonder how long these screens will last. I am retired now and will keep the phone till it plays out for I don't have the money to upgrade and change at the place I used too. I just wonder if Samsung knows that these screens have potential for these micro cracks. I am very very careful with this phone and maybe if it finally goes out my insurance will cover it. (Don't have Samsung Care). I contemplated the s23 ultra but Samsung only offering $490 for the fold 3 and besides I have cracks in the screen. Also, not sure I can enjoy a candy bar phone like I have this one.

Anyway, I understand your decision to go to the s23, hope you enjoy the new phone.

Also, if anyone else thinks this is the screen protector, it's not. I don't have one on this phone.

So you already removed the factory installed protector? And you've been using it without one? Just curious.

 

[rsmin]

So you already removed the factory installed protector? And you've been using it without one? Just curious.

Yes, bought this one month after release on Swappa from someone who decided they didn't like it's size. They had taken it off. Mind you, these are not scratches. My screen is pristine in every area other than the spine where it folds. These are cracks, not scratches. They aren't perpendicular to the fold line. (Meaning: They run in the same direction as the fold.) I can understand the screen protector protecting scratches, but not actual tiny cracks in the main screen where the fold is.

I love this phone and will probably keep it till I can no longer use it. As someone else said when using the phone you can't see the cracks, you can only feel them with your fingernail or spen. If you google cracks in fold 3/4 you will see others with same problem. I am just not sure that the technology is there yet for "glasstic" as I think someone called this screen to continue taking numerous folds back and forth and not crack eventually.

 

[rsmin]

I'm really sorry that happened to you! Micro scratches are frustrating and I bet in time they'd get worse!

It's ok, I figured it might be a delicate device especially since I open and close it a bunch because my tired old eyes love the big screen in this phone.

 

[Talderon]

Yeah, this is not a screen protector issue. It's the screen. The stock screen protector lasted 6 months before I ditched it and put on a WSD Film. Then, it had issues and I kept replacing them. I had it professionally replaced and it's still an issue, but I am dealing with it for now.

The micro cracks on the fold part can be seen with no screen protector installed, so that is not it. You can only see it when there is White where the cracks are, so it's hard to see.

With this starting to happen, I am just done with the foldable phone until they manage to get a few things right:

1. They actually get a screen material that can hold up past the warranty period. It almost feels like they have short warranties on these screens because there is absolutely no faith in longevity.
2. The phone, when folded, really does need to be thinner. I mean, for me, it's okay, I dealt with it, but it's really not comfortable to have the bulk in pants pockets.
3. Battery life. I don't care how you slice it or arguments you give, the bottom line is, it's not really up to par with other devices. Personally, I rarely had issues because I work from home and it's on the charger more than not, but when I am out and about, I don't use my phone as much as I would like for fear of the battery dying. I went our on a 4 hour drive and did not have it plugged in. I took 4-5 pics and used Navigation for about 10 minutes. My battery was below 50% by the time I got home and it's really bad.
4. Longevity: With the way things are now, as a whole, I don't see these phones being around too long (per model basis). Hell, I STILL have my Nokia 920 and 1520 that still power on, screens are in great shape and all that, but in 3-5 years, these folding screens are not going to last.

Look, overall, I LOVE THIS PHONE, I just think it needs some more time to soak and get some kinks worked out.

Until then, I am going to go back to a bar phone (for those that asked: S23U, Phantom Black, 512GB, T-Mobile edition) and will wait in the wings.

 

[mlblack16]

I don't think I can go back to candy bar phones anytime soon. Am still enjoying ZF3 and waiting for ZF5. Battery life is the only thing that bothers me a little at this time. I hope the + version of Qualcomm processor on ZF5 should be awesome.

Sent from my SM-F926U1 using Tapatalk

Same, around the time that I'm eligible for an upgrade (in other words, mostly paid off) the ZF5 should be out. If it has the rumored hinge design that almost completely removes the crease AND the outer display is a more functional size, then I may go balls-to-the-wall again and get it.

Otherwise, the ZF3 is just stuck in the middle between being great and a PITA to use as a daily driver.

 

[J Dubbs]

Yes, bought this one month after release on Swappa from someone who decided they didn't like it's size. They had taken it off. Mind you, these are not scratches. My screen is pristine in every area other than the spine where it folds. These are cracks, not scratches. They aren't perpendicular to the fold line. (Meaning: They run in the same direction as the fold.) I can understand the screen protector protecting scratches, but not actual tiny cracks in the main screen where the fold is.

I love this phone and will probably keep it till I can no longer use it. As someone else said when using the phone you can't see the cracks, you can only feel them with your fingernail or spen. If you google cracks in fold 3/4 you will see others with same problem. I am just not sure that the technology is there yet for "glasstic" as I think someone called this screen to continue taking numerous folds back and forth and not crack eventually.

Thanks for explaining that I have a Flip that I haven't used much, but I'm wondering how long I can reasonably expect the screen to last. The Folds seem to have a lot of screen cracking issues... the Flips not quite so much. But I'm sure a lot of that has to do with the sheer size difference and the length of the folding area, since both screens are made out of Samsungs "Ultra Thin Glass". I also think the way Sammy folds the screens are partially to blame.. they fold them pretty tightly, like a piece of paper, hence the big crease, where the other folding phone makers like Moto and Oppo use a gentler teardrop shaped fold with a much more minimal crease.

I've heard Samsung's going to go with the teardrop fold for the Fold 5, to minimize the crease like their competitors, and the new hinge is what's going to allow that, while letting the phone shut completely flat like the Moto and Oppo designs. Hopefully the Fold 5 and Flip 5 cure the screen cracking issues for good

I won't be getting another folding phone until I see a quality made, rock solid design that I can feel completely comfortable using, with no worries about when the screens going to fail Plus I'd like my next folding phone to be a Pixel

 

[Laura Knotek]

Thanks for explaining that I have a Flip that I haven't used much, but I'm wondering how long I can reasonably expect the screen to last. The Folds seem to have a lot of screen cracking issues... the Flips not quite so much. But I'm sure a lot of that has to do with the sheer size difference and the length of the folding area, since both screens are made out of Samsungs "Ultra Thin Glass". I also think the way Sammy folds the screens are partially to blame.. they fold them pretty tightly, like a piece of paper, hence the big crease, where the other folding phone makers like Moto and Oppo use a gentler teardrop shaped fold with a much more minimal crease.

I've heard Samsung's going to go with the teardrop fold for the Fold 5, to minimize the crease like their competitors, and the new hinge is what's going to allow that, while letting the phone shut completely flat like the Moto and Oppo designs. Hopefully the Fold 5 and Flip 5 cure the screen cracking issues for good

I won't be getting another folding phone until I see a quality made, rock solid design that I can feel completely comfortable using, with no worries about when the screens going to fail Plus I'd like my next folding phone to be a Pixel

I am interested in the Samsung Fold line, but I will wait until the design improves so the phones are more durable, and there is an inbuilt silo for the S Pen. I once spent an entire day looking around my house for a lost S Pen from my Galaxy Tab S6 Lite.

Sent from my SM-S908U1 using Tapatalk

 

[kj11]

Same here, fold 3 since launch and small cracks at the fold. I'll definitely be going for the s23 ultra if the fold 5 doesn't have the built in spen

 

[Blasted_1]

I've had a Fold 3 since launch. I peeled the screen protector off after getting it back from the depot for a bad board (happened after android 12 upgrade).

I too have been developing cracks all along the crease. I have insurance through my carrier that's good until the phone is off contract with them. So I can dump $400 on it then.

In the meantime, I have pre-ordered a 512GB S23U and will either give my F3 to one of my kids OR sell it as is.

I'm more looking at the cameras as I take a lot of video and photos of my kids sports and while the F3 is okay, I can see the S23U being a lot better.

I'm not so worried about battery life because I have the device plugged in at home, at work, or in my short bursts of travel. So it's not really a big deal in that regard.

 

[trucksmoveamerica#AC]

Just have the screen protector replaced and you're good to go with your fold if you want to keep it. From what I've read most good shops can replace it for $20 or so, or you can do it yourself. That's what I plan on doing with my Flip 3.

Exactly. I thought my screen was cracking in my fold 3 for the exact same reason and everyone told me it was the screen protector which I thought was wrong. That's all it was.

I would be worried on trading it in to Samsung that way. The ones inspecting the trade in could see it as cracked screen and reject the trade in.

Sent from my SM-X800 using Tapatalk

 

[trucksmoveamerica#AC]

Yeah, this is not a screen protector issue. It's the screen. The stock screen protector lasted 6 months before I ditched it and put on a WSD Film. Then, it had issues and I kept replacing them. I had it professionally replaced and it's still an issue, but I am dealing with it for now.

The micro cracks on the fold part can be seen with no screen protector installed, so that is not it. You can only see it when there is White where the cracks are, so it's hard to see.

With this starting to happen, I am just done with the foldable phone until they manage to get a few things right:

1. They actually get a screen material that can hold up past the warranty period. It almost feels like they have short warranties on these screens because there is absolutely no faith in longevity.
2. The phone, when folded, really does need to be thinner. I mean, for me, it's okay, I dealt with it, but it's really not comfortable to have the bulk in pants pockets.
3. Battery life. I don't care how you slice it or arguments you give, the bottom line is, it's not really up to par with other devices. Personally, I rarely had issues because I work from home and it's on the charger more than not, but when I am out and about, I don't use my phone as much as I would like for fear of the battery dying. I went our on a 4 hour drive and did not have it plugged in. I took 4-5 pics and used Navigation for about 10 minutes. My battery was below 50% by the time I got home and it's really bad.
4. Longevity: With the way things are now, as a whole, I don't see these phones being around too long (per model basis). Hell, I STILL have my Nokia 920 and 1520 that still power on, screens are in great shape and all that, but in 3-5 years, these folding screens are not going to last.

Look, overall, I LOVE THIS PHONE, I just think it needs some more time to soak and get some kinks worked out.

Until then, I am going to go back to a bar phone (for those that asked: S23U, Phantom Black, 512GB, T-Mobile edition) and will wait in the wings.

On battery life the fold 3 was the worse of the fold 2 and 4. I love the fold phones but I agree I'm not sold on the screen durability yet.

Sent from my SM-X800 using Tapatalk

 

[rsmin]

Same here, fold 3 since launch and small cracks at the fold. I'll definitely be going for the s23 ultra if the fold 5 doesn't have the built in spen

Is your phone still hanging in there with the micro cracks? Mine is for now but getting worse.

Still debating what to do with it. I see "trucks" has moved on from the folds. If I had plenty of money I would already be back on a slab phone.

 

[J Dubbs]

Is your phone still hanging in there with the micro cracks? Mine is for now but getting worse.

Still debating what to do with it. I see "trucks" has moved on from the folds. If I had plenty of money I would already be back on a slab phone.

Are you running a screen protector? If not maybe put one on... it might slow down the cracking some ¯⁠\⁠_⁠(⁠ツ⁠)⁠_⁠/⁠¯ If you're out of warranty and no insurance, you might have to ride that horse till the end

It would be interesting to see how long it would go before the cracks stop the screen from working entirely. I have a feeling from watching a teardown that it might go longer than you think

 

[rsmin]

Are you running a screen protector? If not maybe put one on... it might slow down the cracking some ¯⁠\⁠_⁠(⁠ツ⁠)⁠_⁠/⁠¯ If you're out of warranty and no insurance, you might have to ride that horse till the end

It would be interesting to see how long it would go before the cracks stop the screen from working entirely. I have a feeling from watching a teardown that it might go longer than you think

It might, but I had insurance and bit the bullet. Took it to ubreakifix and they of course almost rebuilt the phone to swap out the screen. About only thing reused is camera and mother board. Get new frame, battery and hinge. Ubreakifix told me it was a new style hinge. Not sure about that but it does feel like a new phone. Only thing is I brought it home and digitizer for spen had some bad areas in it. (Finger touch on diagnostic test was perfect but spen touch missing several areas on left side only) took it back next day and they confirmed that new screen was bad. They overnighted another screen and this one is perfect. I get a year warranty with the screen with ubreakifix. Looks like they wound up replacing the outer screen as well. First time they swapped the inner screen the outer screen looked like my outer screen. This time the outer screen looks new and they had a factory screen protector on? Maybe they messed up the outer screen the second time swapping the inner screen?

This guy is so good swapping the inner screen that the phone looks like it just came from the factory. Even had all the plastic covering everything. Couldn't be happier.