Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 Looks Sleek, But Repairing It Might Test Your Patience
Galaxy Z Fold 7 may be Samsung’s slimmest foldable yet, but iFixit teardown shows Samsung Fold 7 repair issues and poor repairability. Learn why it scores just 3/10 in repairs.
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The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 is here. It’s thinner, sleeker, and arguably the most refined foldable phone the brand has released so far.
But beyond the premium design and flagship specs, there’s a tough pill to swallow: this phone is not easy to repair.
And we’re not guessing here. The teardown experts at iFixit did a full breakdown of the Fold 7 and gave it a repairability score of just 3 out of 10. That tells you a lot about what users might face if something goes wrong.
Let’s break it down.
Battery Replacement Is Still a Struggle
Samsung has gone with a dual-battery setup on the Fold 7. And it sounds impressive, but only until you try to replace them.
You’d expect a smoother experience, especially after how well Samsung handled this on the Galaxy S25 Ultra. But here, it’s a different story.
To get to the batteries, you need to remove the back panel, ribbon cables, the lower assembly, and a whole bunch of screws.
And even then, the pull tabs meant to ease battery removal often snap mid-way, leaving you to rely on isopropyl alcohol and plastic picks.
That’s a step back from what Samsung has already proven it can do better. It’s also frustrating when you consider other upcoming foldables like the OPPO Find N5 Flip that are exploring smarter, more repair-friendly designs.
The Foldable Display Is a Dealbreaker for DIYers
The Fold 7’s inner foldable display is one of its most fragile components and also the hardest to fix. Rated for 500,000 folds, it sounds durable in theory.
But in practice, replacing the inner AMOLED panel involves removing tightly glued bezels, which are almost impossible to detach without causing damage.
And even if you manage to get it out in one piece, be prepared to spend a small fortune, a screen replacement alone could cost up to $589. That’s assuming spare parts are even available, which, as of now, Samsung hasn’t confirmed.
Early leaks about the Galaxy Z Fold 7 promised a lot. Thinner build, AI-powered experience, and more durability.
And while it does look and feel better than previous generations, the teardown tells a different story about what’s happening underneath.
Outer Display and Components Add to the Repair Headache
Even the outer screen on the Fold 7 isn’t very serviceable. iFixit had to heat the display for nearly 20 minutes and still struggled to lift the panel.
The adhesive Samsung uses is simply too strong for a part that should ideally be swappable without extreme tools.
One small win here is that Samsung carried over the modular USB-C port from the S25 Ultra. If charging ports are something you tend to wear out, that’s good news.
But beyond that, most components including cameras are deeply embedded and hard to reach.
Speaking of cameras, the Fold 7 comes with a 200MP main shooter, a 12MP ultra-wide, and a 10MP telephoto. Great specs, no doubt.
But if something breaks, expect to fully dismantle the phone to even get close to the connectors.
Hinge Design Gets Better, But Not Enough to Offset the Flaws
Samsung deserves credit for improving the hinge mechanism on each Fold iteration. The Fold 7’s hinge is flatter, cleaner, and better protected from dust.
But even this welcome upgrade doesn’t make up for the rest of the phone’s repair-unfriendly architecture.
If you’ve been following the broader foldables landscape, you might have seen how Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold7 and Flip7 are trying to be more affordable and accessible. But when it comes to long-term durability and DIY repairs, there’s still a lot of catching up to do.
The Verdict: Built to Impress, But Not to Maintain
There’s no question the Fold 7 is a premium device. It’s slim, stylish, and packed with top-tier features.
But once something goes wrong, it becomes clear that this is a phone built more for the showcase than for sustainability.
With no official repair manuals, no spare part availability, and a design that fights you at every step of the repair process, the Fold 7’s 3/10 iFixit repair score feels justified.
If you’re still on the fence about whether foldables like the Fold 7 are the right fit, it might be worth looking ahead. The upcoming Galaxy Z Flip7 and Flip7 FE could offer slightly different takes. But don’t expect major leaps in repairability just yet.
Bottom line?
The Galaxy Z Fold 7 is a beautiful foldable, no doubt. But when it comes to real-world repairs, you’re better off not breaking anything in the first place.
Disclaimer: This article is independently written and published by gadgetsy.in staff after thorough research and analysis from publicly available resources and tipsters. Pricing may vary from region to region and availability.
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