Foldable smartphones have injected excitement into the market, offering a fresh take on traditional designs. The Galaxy Z Fold and Z Flip series have won over enthusiasts, as well as those seeking a larger screen or a more compact form factor, respectively. However, like any emerging technology, foldable phones face challenges, particularly in terms of durability.
If you already own a Galaxy Z Fold or Z Flip smartphone, you have probably experienced or at least heard of problems related to their screen protectors. In many cases, the screen protectors of the Galaxy Z series just wear off faster than they should and start causing trouble. If you wonder how to replace your inner screen protector, we have some suggestions and recommendations.
Jump to:
- What does the inner screen protector on Galaxy Z Flip and Z Fold do
- What are the issues with the Z Fold and Z Flip screen protector
- How to tell if your Z Fold or Z Flip screen protector is peeling
- What to do if your Z Fold or Z Flip screen protector is peeling
- How to prevent your Z Fold or Z Flip inner screen protector from peeling
What does the inner screen protector on Galaxy Z Flip and Z Fold do
Your Galaxy foldable phone comes with a preinstalled inner screen protector made of Thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), which is a flexible material resistant to grease, oil, and abrasion. The protector is designed to ensure that the screen will not be damaged while folding, unfolding, and general use.
The goal is to keep the screen safe from scratches, debris, or any other possible damage it might receive. It’s important to note that this protector is not meant to be user replaceable, unlike the ones Samsung puts over its non-foldable phone displays.
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What are the issues with the Z Fold and Z Flip screen protectors
As with almost any new technology, there are a few things that need to be improved with time. The problem with the inner screen protectors on Samsung foldable phones appears to be that they start to peel off quite early (in extreme cases, after just 6 months of use), which I guess can be frustrating especially if you have spent a big amount of money on your new phone.
Since foldable screens are not that common, it is still not easy to find a place outside the authorized Samsung service centers to replace the screen protector. And actually, Samsung does not recommend taking it off by yourself or, for that matter, applying a new one without professional help.
How to tell if your Z Fold or Z Flip screen protector is peeling
Well, the peeling of a screen protector is something you probably would notice since it can be quite annoying. You would see, for example, bubbles on your screen right where the phone folds.
In the case of our Galaxy Z Fold 3, these were small, barely noticeable at first. However, over the course of several weeks, the protector had peeled entirely in the area over the crease.
Keep in mind that the protective layer that peels off is not the screen, so keep calm when you see such damage – it is treatable. But you sure have to find a way to replace the protector so that the much pricier screen stays preserved.
What to do if your Z Fold or Z Flip screen protector is peeling
The first thing I would recommend is not to peel off the entire inner screen protector by yourself but to find your nearest Samsung service center or any other authorized service. Samsung also works with more than 250 Best Buy locations across the USA, so the chance to have one near you is quite big.
You can also check if any of the Asurion services is located near you since they offer solutions for the Galaxy Z Fold and Z Flip series as well. And if you are outside the USA, you can again check the local websites of Samsung and Asurion to see if there are any service centers near you.
After you’ve found a service center (or have been recommended one by the Samsung support team because this is also an option), you should check if the Samsung screen protector replacement promo applies to you. To put it briefly, Samsung offers a free replacement—but there's a catch.
It will only replace the inner screen protector once within one year of purchasing the phone. This offer applies to the Galaxy Z Flip, Galaxy Z Flip 5G, Galaxy Z Flip 3, Galaxy Z Flip 4, Galaxy Z Fold, Galaxy Z Fold 2, Galaxy Z Fold 3, and Galaxy Z Fold 4.
After the first year, the cost of replacing the screen protector starts at $19.99. And if the inner screen protector peels off regularly, maintaining your phone in its best condition could become a bit expensive. So let us see if you can do anything about that.
How to prevent your Z Fold or Z Flip inner screen protector from peeling
As much as I want to share some big secret with you that magically keeps your screen protector undamaged, I can’t. But there are some things you could at least try, and that for sure won't hurt.
For starters, you could clean your screen edges and hinge with a microfiber cloth and always make sure that there aren't any sharp particles or dirt before closing the phone. Also, try to treat the hinge and mechanism with care by avoiding pushing too hard when opening and closing the phone.
Some Galaxy Z series users suggest that outside factors like cold temperature might also have an impact on the inner screen protector's life, as well as unnecessarily opening and closing or just often leaving the screen open. So, it might be a good idea to avoid those things.
You could also choose from a variety of covers and cases to shield your phone. If taking care of your phone is not a problem for you, but you still worry it might get damaged, you could always opt for Samsung Care+, which is a paid plan that plays the role of insurance for your phone. The plan covers drops, spills, breakdowns, theft, and loss and has 24/7 expert support.
Tsveta ErmenkovaJunior News Content Writer
Tsveta, a passionate technology enthusiast and accomplished playwright, combines her love for mobile technologies and writing to explore and reveal the transformative power of tech. From being an early follower of PhoneArena to relying exclusively on her smartphone for photography, she embraces the immense capabilities of compact devices in our daily lives. With a Journalism degree and an explorative spirit, Tsveta not only provides expert insights into the world of gadgets and smartphones but also shares a unique perspective shaped by her diverse interests in travel, culture, and visual storytelling.
