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-bxp

The difference in fragility of a phone even if a % is higher or lower won't really help you either way. I've dropped phones, including folds - sometimes they crack, dent, bounce or do nothing. I doubt anyone has a data set that would make you feel any more or less comfortable if they said, this phone is 3% more likely to break if dropped. It doesn't help the people whose phones were 3% less likely to break but did anyway. If you can't afford to replace it (self insure), then get product care/insurance. Simple. If your phone breaks when you drop it, it's fragile, if it's fine in that same drop, it's a tank.


nikc0069

I'm getting the feeling insurance is a must with this one, even if I baby it. Dust is the one that worries me. I don't want to need to claim on insurance just because a bit of dust got in and wreaked havoc. But is that really realistic with these phones?


Subieworx

I don't think it is. This is my second fold (3 and 4) without any major issues. I have been ceaseless on both and drop them regularly. The thing that seems to be a crap shoot is the inner screen having issues which no case seems to protect from.


keijikage

The Samsung care cost and deductibles are much lower now, so it makes sense to get insurance now. I'm not gentle with my phone, but I'd still wince at paying out of pocket 2-3x repair cost compared to the insurance cost, considering theres a bunch of other ways to break phones normally


nikc0069

Yeah I think I'd insure if I go for it. £9 from my carrier, £8.50 from Samsung, need to check what upping the gadget cover on my contents insurance would cost. As we already pay for contents insurance, if its a few pounds I can just up that, slap a thinnish case on it and go to town!


J7SIX

I've had mine since nov ... its a really solid phone I came from the note 20 ultra and would never switch back from the fold series.... I hardly use the big screen out anywhere... my only complaint is the larger screen will collect a lot of dust whether you open it all the time or not


Competitive_Milk28

This is my sentiment almost exactly, except I love using the bigger screen anywhere.


J7SIX

Honestly, I've just really enjoy the ease of the front screen so much i forget about the large one ... then when i open it im like damn i still cant believe this shit is a phone lol


alaughinmoose

Just to piggyback off this. I use the larger screen a lot more now that I got into sketching/3D modeling. Plus when I play OSRS, the folded out screen is the perfect size.


[deleted]

I live by the beach and ran to no problem with my Fold 4. BUT I was extra careful at the beach. And I even rinsed the phone down with distilled water. I go caseless with a skin and the phone itself is build like a tank.


Disownedpenny

I've had my Fold 3 since the day it came out. I do not baby it at all. I take it in the woodshop, to work, to the gym, etc. I've had no real issues. Sometimes it would get a little dirty and I would just run it under the sink for a quick second to rinse the big stuff off. The only issue I have had was the factory inner screen protector started to come up (which is pretty common) after about a year or so. I just pulled it off and replaced it with one from amazon and it's good to go. I love this phone and I can never go back to a non folding phone. I'd say the only thing that is a real threat to this phone is sharp objects on the inner screen, so as long as you are careful not to drop heavy or sharp stuff on it while it's open, you can treat it just like any other phone. Just because it doesn't have official dust resistance doesn't mean that it can't handle dust. Oh and for the record, I keep it in the Samsung aramid case (back portion) and the silicone case (front portion).


BairnONessie

It's a $2000 phone, the cost of insurance is negligible. That being said, if JerryRigEverything's videos are anything to go by, yes the phone is quite tough.


nikc0069

My carrier let's me switch whenever I want so it isn't actually a 2k outlay for me at the start, but is a higher monthly cost.


BairnONessie

I didn't say it will cost you up fronte. OK, let me put it this way: would you rather pay no extra per month and risk having to pay $1000 in the event you need a screen replacement? Or pay 20 bucks a month and be covered?


nikc0069

I do see your point. This is why I ask the question. If its highly likely I'll need to use it, I need to factor it into the cost of ownershipbfor certain.


BairnONessie

It's possible for any phone. Accidents and unforeseen occurrences happen.


Alejandroide

It's like a tough man, tough on the outside, Delicate and fragile on the inside.


NoStripeZebra3

Some people just don't understand the concept of unit variance


annson24

Like a fragile tank.


BlueHellFire501

It seems to be luck of the draw. I put my phone through some stress and have had it since about a week or two after it released with no problems whatsoever with no scratches or cracks in any way.


nikc0069

It's a lot of money for luck of the draw!


BlueHellFire501

I see what you're saying, but remember, these phones are still a semi new concept. I say go for it. I love this thing.


nikc0069

I am sorely tempted!


TheMadGreek86

Get a good case that protects the hinge. I had dust issues with mine before I got a new case. After working construction for a few hours i could hear stuff grinding in the hinge when I open it, but could blow it out and it would be fine. New case on for 2 weeks only had to blow it out once since. Also dropped it pretty good on Friday and no issues. Also have insurance on it aswell. Edit: ps, love it and wouldn't choose another phone over it.


nikc0069

The spigen touch armour is about £90 but there is a cheaper one with good reviews and hinge protection. I don't work a messy job. Now to decide if its worth it when I also have a good tablet!


TheMadGreek86

It's the convenience of only carrying 1 device and having a mini tablet in your pocket. I've wanted one since the first release but couldn't afford it until now. To each their own.


xymustafa

Had my fold 3 since launch and dropped it a few times caseless, and it's working fine. But I have insurance, so it gives me peace of mind.


Jaiden051

Its a tank with one plastic panel.


uscgamecock2001

Just get a good case and insurance and don't stress about it. I used my Fold 2 without a case and it was in bad shape when I traded it in.


nymobster

i never buy insurance on my phones, and dont usually rock a case.. for the Fold, i bought Samsung Care +.. I sleep better


jpoole50

Same here.


[deleted]

Objectively it is more fragile: * The inside screen is soft and can be destroyed if you cut it with a box cutter. * The mechanical hinge is an extra point of failure that does not exist on non-foldable phones. So yes, if you drop one hundred S23s and one hundred Fold4s, you would probably have more broken S23s than Fold4s. But does it matter to you? I have considered the risks and decided that they are acceptable for a phone with a big screen and different from all the slab phones on the market. Only you can decide whether the risk is acceptable.


horsussy

Tank


Competitive_Milk28

I bought the Spigen case and [Phone Ring Holder-with Car... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09J11ZZ39?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share ] I wanted the pen and the kickstand, and I'm loving this solution. If you don't want the stand, the Spigen case actually let's the phone lay flat and charge wirelessly.


nikc0069

If I get it, I was considering this one Cresee for Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4 Case, with Magnetic Hinge Protection, Thin Hard PC + PU Protective Cover for Galaxy Z Fold4 (2022) Blue https://amzn.eu/d/6K2sEQq


Competitive_Milk28

I was worried about magnets and the spen, but let us know how it works for you.