Users of Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 report annoying problem
Foldables are not known for their durable cases. Their many moving parts and flexible screen make them more susceptible to damage than traditional smartphones. But the fact that the finish is also more likely to fail is unusual. And yet it has happened to some Fold 7 users.
Samsung has been releasing phones in Europe since 1998. You would think they would know how to apply a coating in a durable way by now. And yet on the Galaxy Z Fold 7, it's coming off, at least on some users. And it's not the in the usual places, either.
In fact, it is not about the corners, as you would expect with drop damage, but near the power button. That's halfway down the middle, so it doesn't seem to be the result of falling or other accidents. And the owner of the device above also claims not to have dropped the device or shared it with other objects in his pocket. Whether that is actually true is not for us to verify.
Not paint but anodized aluminum
By the way, it's not paint we see peeling off. Samsung uses anodized aluminum to add color to its Galaxy Z Fold 7. In the process, the casing receives an electrochemical treatment in which the exterior oxidizes. It is this oxide layer that splinters in some cases.
It also happened to previous Galaxy Z Fold models, Samsung informed then that this kind of cosmetic damage was not covered by the warranty. That will also be the case now. Samsung also blames the use of some third-party chargers as the cause of the problem. These would not be properly grounded and could suffer from leakage current which affects the anodized coating.
Third-party chargers the culprit?
Our advice? Use the official Samsung charger and if you do plan to buy a Fold 7, consider the silver version. Of those, we have hardly seen any reports of peeling paint.
