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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
