Should I Get My Samsung Phone Repair

Galaxy Z Fold 3 and Z Flip 3 water resistance — You can get your Galaxy Z Fold 3 and the Z Flip 3 covered under Intendance Plus. But what does that actually mean?
Lexy Savvides/CNET

After its third Unpacked upshot of 2022, Samsung unveiled its latest foldable phones -- the Galaxy Z Fold 3 ($i,800) and the Galaxy Z Flip three ($one,000). Both phones are cheaper than the Galaxy Z Fold 2 5G from 2022, which sported a $two,000 cost tag.

Fifty-fifty though the foldables technically have a toll drop and promotions galore, $1,000 or more is still a hefty chunk of alter to invest in this relatively new style of phone. And Samsung'southward past foldables were viewed by many equally likewise frail for normal daily use. The South Korean behemothic fabricated pattern tweaks to make them more durable, just you'd be forgiven if y'all're still unsure about how sturdy they really are.

Those of you who preordered directly from Samsung got a bonus that could make you lot more than comfortable with the new type of device -- a gratis yr of Samsung Care Plus, the visitor's extended warranty, its version of AppleCare. After that year, yous'll be charged each month until yous abolish -- or for 2 years, whichever comes offset.

Only what is Samsung Care Plus and should yous become it? Volition information technology actually make you worry less about the bendable screens in the Z Fold 3 and Z Flip 3?

Reading a plan's Terms of Service isn't anyone's idea of a fun fourth dimension, so nosotros did the hard work for you. We read through Samsung's Care Plus FAQ and the programme'south Terms of Service, as well as sent questions -- many, many questions -- to Samsung to help you navigate the ins and outs of Samsung Care Plus. Hither's what we found out.

What is Samsung Care Plus?

yt-z-fold-3-z-flip-3-6 — In addition to the new foldables, Intendance Plus applies to other Samsung smartphones, PCs, notebooks and tablets, as well equally home appliances, TVs and monitors.
Lexy Savvides/CNET

Care Plus is an extra coverage package for Samsung smartphones, PCs, laptops, tablets, home appliances, TVs and monitors that goes beyond the manufacturer's warranty. Care Plus was originally chosen Samsung Premium Care, simply was rebranded as Care Plus in 2022. The plan aims to provide quick and easy repairs and replacements of Samsung devices.

Information technology's similar to AppleCare, which iPhone, iPad and other device users can buy with their new gadgets. The aim of both is to give you actress insurance against breakage or malfunction. Only devices today are so sturdy, it sometimes doesn't make sense to pay for actress coverage. Foldables are one area where repairs can be complicated and pricey.

How much will Care Plus price?

Care Plus costs $four, $9, $11 or $13 per month in the The states, depending on your device. (It's available in other countries, including the United kingdom of great britain and northern ireland and Australia, merely the terms volition be unlike for each territory.) The subscription will renew monthly for three years unless you cancel, or Samsung cancels, in the consequence of nonpayment, for example.

For foldable owners, the monthly bill volition gear up you back $thirteen. Those of you who have the free year from the preorder promotion will start paying when the first year is over, and yous'll be billed monthly until yous cancel or when you lot hit twelvemonth No. 3 of device ownership, whichever happens first.

Galaxy Z Fold 3 — The foldable screen is the hot new novelty in smartphones, so you definitely want to brand certain you lot're covered if something goes wrong.
Patrick Holland/CNET

What does Care Plus encompass?

Starting from your enrollment date, Care Plus covers ability-surge protection and breakdowns caused past adventitious damage, besides as shipments to the manufacturer for replacement or repair and tech back up through Asurion. Care Plus is inclusive of the manufacturer's warranty, and except for the previously listed items, all other program coverage becomes constructive immediately following the manufacturer's warranty expiration, according to the Care Plus Service Contract Coverage document.

Care Plus can cover replacements and repairs for breakdowns and failures due to normal wear and tear problems, as well as accidents such as dropping your phone, spillages and cracks. Accidental harm repairs and replacements accept a cap of three times per yr, co-ordinate to Intendance Plus' FAQ. Mechanical breakdowns -- like bombardment failure -- have no repair limits and come with no service fees.

Batteries are covered for free under Samsung'south mechanical failures policy. Other breakdowns that are a result of faulty materials or design on the part of Samsung are besides covered for gratuitous.

But more probable types of damage -- caused by accidents similar dropping the device -- face a $249 fee for each incident. That includes adventitious damage from liquids. If you spill your coffee on your Z Fold three, it's covered, as is harm from water and any other liquid -- for that $249 fee.

If you crack your screen or damage it in another style, it will cost you lot $249 to repair, and you can supersede it three times a year (for $249 each time). The fee is a disbelieve from what you'll pay to replace the inner screens if you don't have coverage, but for the Flip, at least, information technology may not make sense unless you're especially accident-prone. You'll exist charged the $249 regardless of which screen is damaged, but if somehow you damage both screens in the same accident, you'll but pay the $249 once.

If your initial year-long warranty has expired and yous don't have Samsung Care Plus, the inner Z Fold 3 brandish repair will fix y'all dorsum $479, if arranged through Samsung, while the outer will cost $149. The Z Flip iii inner screen will cost you $349, while the embrace display will price $99 to replace. With Intendance Plus, the repair cost remains the same regardless of screen -- inner, outer or Z Flip cover screen. For the outer screens, it's actually cheaper non to tap into Care Plus.

Samsung'south Care Plus landing page also says cracked screen repairs are only $29. That's truthful, only it doesn't apply to foldable phones. The Intendance Plus' service contract coverage document breaks down Samsung devices into four tiers and organizes the service fees based on those tiers. Foldable phones are tier 4 with the $249 service fee. Tiers 1 through 3 include other Samsung devices like the A Serial, the Due south series and the Note devices.

galaxy-s20-note-20-ultra-fe-product-promo-hoyle-2021-4 — Non a foldable user? No worries, older Samsung smartphone models are covered if you purchase Care Plus.
Andrew Hoyle/CNET

If Samsung approves your claim, information technology'll send a replacement device. Once you receive it, yous'll need to render the faulty device within 10 days. If yous miss the deadline, you lot'll exist charged an unrecovered equipment fee, according to the FAQ. Samsung does supply shipment packaging.

Care Plus doesn't cover problems your device might see in terms of "corruption, neglect, pre-existing conditions, rust, corrosion, theft or burglary, mysterious disappearance, impairment from exposure to conditions atmospheric condition, power fluctuations and any loss covered nether a manufacturer'due south warranty," co-ordinate to the FAQ.

Where tin can I get my device fixed?

If you come across problems with your device, you tin can discover help with repairs and replacements through uBreakiFix, which are Samsung-authorized service centers. Just visit the uBreakiFix website and enter your ZIP code. The company offers carry-in and curbside service, house calls and mail-in repairs.

Care Plus is administered by Asurion, a individual company that provides insurance for smartphones, tablets, consumer electronics and more than. Asurion makes the decision regarding whether your phone will need repair or replacing. Subsequently Asurion assesses your claim, it'll permit you know if y'all demand to mail your device in or schedule an appointment with uBreakiFix. (Again, these volition be handled by different companies in different countries.)

How exercise I enroll in Care Plus?

If you preordered the new Z Fold 3 or the Z Flip 3, you can get up to a year of Care Plus for free, but you tin add together Intendance Plus someday during the first twelvemonth that you've purchased your device. If your current device is covered under Care Plus, but you buy a new device, the coverage program doesn't transfer, according to the Care Plus FAQ. You pay every calendar month, though, and can abolish at any time (though information technology's non quite equally unproblematic equally information technology sounds).

If yous've had your device for 60 days or less, you can enroll in Care Plus with the Samsung Members app. To enroll, launch the app, tap the content bill of fare and tap Cheque Eligibility. If your device qualifies, you'll just follow the on-screen prompts.

You lot can also enroll on Samsung.com, or visit the Samsung Care Plus site and enter your device'south IMEI number to acquire more about eligibility and program pricing.

Tin can I abolish Intendance Plus?

Yes. To abolish the service, you lot can call 1-866-371-9051, which operates 24/seven. Samsung also offers the option to brand a cancelation request by mail or through your Samsung account on the company's website. On Samsung.com, click My Business relationship > My Subscriptions. From at that place, you should run into your agile coverage programme and the option to cancel it. You can likewise email departmentc@asurion.com, according to Care Plus' service coverage contract. If you cancel Care Plus inside 30 days of buying information technology, yous'll go a full refund, including sales tax.

What's covered in the included warranty, if I don't get Care Plus for my new foldables?

Samsung devices come with a yr'south warranty that covers mechanical breakdowns, which means you won't pay anything if the battery or screen breaks in the start 12 months you own it.

Under the manufacturer'southward warranty, original parts and battery, as well every bit labor, are covered for one year. Original accessories that came with your device are covered for six months. Mechanical breakdowns are covered under the warranty, but once it expires, you're responsible for the costs. Accidental and liquid damage, as well as normal wear and tear aren't covered nether the manufacturer'southward warranty, and costs vary by repair.

If y'all're non covered nether Care Plus and your phone malfunctions somehow, you lot can still take it to uBreakiFix. If your device has a problem covered past the manufacturer's warranty, you lot won't be charged.