SamsungGalaxy Z Flip6, 512GB Unlocked Android Smartphone, FlexCam, Photo Assist, Camcorder Mode, Live Interpreter, Foldable Design, Pocket-Sized Portability, 2024, US 1 Yr Warranty, Silver ShadowECOLOGOECOLOGO

I jumped on the 512GB pre-order deal that Amazon had and have used the phone for the past month or so. I really like this phone coming from a conventional handset. Some of my ideal phone criteria are:- Compact device- Mainstream/higher end performance- DurabilityHere is why this phone works for me.- Size: My previous phone was S10e. Yes it was old but I liked the compact size compared to many larger phones these days. Even the standard S24 is bigger. Although it is thicker, I like the fact that it fits in my pocket comfortably.- Performance: It has the latest processor, 512GB of storage and 12 gig of memory. The camera is now on par with other premium devices and now is truly considered a flagship device. All good.- Durability: Don't get me wrong... The flip phone will probably never be as durable as a conventional handset, but the Z flip now has dust protection in addition to moisture protection. Now that Samsung has gone through several life cycles, I feel comfortable using the fold devices.- Price: People complain that the price went up by $100. There are deals to be had and ways to bring down the price.Summary:My old S10e did pretty much everything that newer phones do in terms of the features. including wireless pay and reverse charging. The only reason for me to look for a new phone was to address the failing (aging) battery. As it was a good time for me to look for a new device, I wanted to considering something different and new. The Z flip added the folding "trick", and it is a welcoming change. One, I can mostly triage messages and etc on the cover screen and minimize the big screen. Two, the main screen, because of its oddly long aspect ratio, works pretty well working with 2 separate windows. It is very useful. I like the new form factor and the functions that it adds.

The media could not be loaded. If you want a phone that you’ll constantly worry about randomly breaking for 0 reason, this is the exact device you’re looking for.All sarcasm aside, I bought this phone in August 2024. Started using it in my phone plan and daily use in Sept 2024. I was sure to get a good case for it with a hinge protector (this is something INCREDIBLY important, I’ll detail later) and I did not get the Samsung care because I did not think I would need it. I was so incredibly wrong.The phone was great, while it was working. I loved it. I really enjoyed the versatility of the flip, it was unique, and new.Then the problems started. December 20th, 2024. About 3-4 days prior to the inner screens “black screen of death”, and yes it is really called this because it is so common, I noticed an audible crinkling noise coming from the hinge. Odd, considering I had never dropped the phone or closed anything in it and it is only a couple of months old. I thought maybe it was the case and checked it, nothing.Christmas Eve, 2024. Started my morning like usual. Alarm went off, grabbed my phone and start my day. It was functioning completely at this time. Within 20 minutes and no warning of the hoops I’d be forced to jump through for the next month with zero resolution, the inner screen began “glitching”. I thought it was the software update that was done the week before that caused the screen to look as pictured. A hard reset cleared it, and it was fine. Until it did it again 2 hours later. It would lag, freeze, get incredibly hot to the touch. Hard reset was not fixing it anymore. The only way I could use my phone was the front screen or plugging the phone into my PC and using the Microsoft Link to have the screen project onto my computer.By 6pm that same day, the phone became unresponsive. Turned off, could not turn it on and when it did, it would dial emergency services unprovoked.I was able to backup my phone, and thinking it was a software issue I wiped the phone and reinstalled the OS on it. If anything, that made it worse instead of fixing my problem. Christmas Day I had no working phone and couldn’t enjoy time with my family because I was so stressed over this new phone that just KO’d itself out of nowhere. Couldn’t call my family members. I was devastated because I just spent all this money on this new phone.Then, I thought to myself “well, this is covered under warranty, I’m sure of it!”. I went onto Samsungs website and began a chat with one of their representatives on December 26th.After explaining my situation three times to the same representative, they finally understood my issue. Then, before they would help me further they required my IMEI from my phone. I’m assuming to flag the phone itself in case I made any “admissions” during the inquiry of me trying to have warranty work done on the device. Once I gave the information over, I was told to take the phone to a local Samsung certified repair technician. Then, I was asked TWICE if I was CERTAIN that I didn’t drop the phone, expose it to liquids, close anything in the device, etc etc. in which my response was “no” and “how many times are you going to ask this?” It’s just weird after they already gave me the next steps towards their idea of a resolution.I make the appointment with the local repair tech, and am immediately met with a phone call outside of their operating hours. That’s always such a fantastic sign. Anyways, the technician told me they had to cancel my appointment for my phone. They can’t get parts in to fix the phone. He tells me not to get my hopes up because Samsung had changed their guidelines for warranty repair work specifically with these phones.To boil it down, if; Samsung thinks you’ve dropped or closed something in your phone, you have cosmetic scratches or dents on your hinge, deep scratches in your screen protector that is from the factory, remove the factory screen protector, has ANY sign of any wear on the body itself that could be indicative of a fall or blamed on one, the pins on the side of where the phone folds are pushed in, little indents on your screen- Samsung WILL void your phones warranty and you’re SOL. Especially if you’re like me, who thinks they take good care of their electronics and does not need protection plans.I was worried. I called weekly to get an update on the parts, and finally a MONTH after the phone stopped working they have the parts and I can go get my phone fixed. But- there’s a problem! There is a small indent on my screen. The local repair shop won’t touch it for that alone and told me consider my warranty voided and to expect a bill for $400 to fix the screen.I used this phone for 3 months, took extremely good care of it and these problems came out of left field. I am at a loss for words. Luckily I kept my iPhone 12 Pro Max that I had since launch and have been using that, but my phone is toast and I can’t afford the $400 to fix it. If I were to fix it, it would be to sell it but I can’t willingly pass this problem onto someone else.With that said, another word of caution. If you get the Samsung care I was told you have to provide a condition of the phone? I guess someone at the phone repair shop had their care plan voided with no correspondence because they did not provide photos of their phones condition, had the same exact scenario happen to them as me, and couldn’t have the care plan pay for it because it was voided for that reason. They still had to pay $400 for the phone to be fixed on top of the money lost for the care plan and the phone.A word of advice, if you can return this phone, please do it. The screens on these phones seem to have a life of 3-6 months before these problems happen, and when they do it comes out of nowhere. Please, do not get this phone if you value your sanity and your wallet.Shame on you Samsung. If you can’t stand behind your garbage product, pull it from the shelves.

“Excellent product, in perfect condition, just as described in its features.”

This phone is excellent, but you need to get used to it like any new phone. I bought it for one specific reason: it folds and fits nicely in my pocket. I can work all my gadgets far away and know my home is safe. Now, this phone has features I am still figuring out. For example, when you are en route to a location that you map out, don't touch the phone until you get to your location. Also, the phone won't stick to the magnet on your dash so that you will need a regular phone holder, or you can unfold it and prop it against your window. I mentioned that when you have it folded, you can tap on the screen, and the date and time come up, plus whatever picture you choose, which gives excellent clarity! I hear a lot of backlash about this phone, but I find it quite pleasant. I can stick it in my pocket or carry it up to the mountains safely and know it will work!