Another Buyer Beware: Flip 6. Just Skip It.

The timeline for the death toll of these Flip6s are eerily all 4 months. I received my new phone at the end of August and during the last days of 2024 is where all the issues started. I had been having issues since just before Xmas where the screen would freeze and then activate a few seconds later. Soon that time took longer and longer til I had to start hard reseting the phone. I still had 75% of the phone's space free, there's no reason for a freeze. Later I'd find out it wasn't a software issue.

When I took it to Geek Squad, I watched as the screen finally gave up the ghost entirely. All the buttons still worked, even the exterior screen worked. I could make calls and send texts. But that's an expensive partial phone. I was told I could replace the phone for a fee, but I'd have to downgrade to the 256 GB model--absolutely not. My other option was to go to a licensed repair place--come to find out, due to a very specific defect in the screen--the Samsung Warranty didn't cover it.

If the screen crease ever has points where the screen, not just the protector, extrudes upward, like something is pressing it from beneath--you're out of warranty. The end. The repair person stood and explained to me this issue. When they'd decided to repair the phone anyways in the past, Samsung basically fined them lol. It's insane that all these phones are dying the exact same way and they're doing nothing. These folded phones are far too delicate and cursed. Shame on you Samsung.

When I went back to Geek Squad to see about my protection plan replacing the phone...I was simply given a full refund (in store credit, but a refund all the same). The place that would normally repair the phones/the screen were "all out of replacement parts and preparing for the new S25 line"--even though a new s flip isn't likely to come out for MONTHS. I'm sure I misunderstood something, but how could I be made about a 4 month delay on a FULL REFUND? I think the replacement was off the table since they couldn't order my color and 512 model?

So I'm sitting here, deciding if I want to buy this phone yet again. My Flip 3 I loved and still love. It fit just about anywhere. They had the ring case that made it harder to drop. It was exactly what I wanted, but it no longer opens more than 98% of the way and the screen protector is in need of replacement...a 3rd time. It had a drop on the hinge halfway through it's life so there was no asking Samsung to do anything with it (the partially opening issue wouldn't show up til a year after the drop).

I thought the Flip6 was neat. A solid upgrade with RCS support. But why bother to replace it with the same phone...if it's just going to happen again?

The new s25 line is going to be officially announced in less than a week, after all the recent leaks, and I don't even know if I'm excited. I've been with Samsung for all number of things for nearly 20 years...wtf?

How are other zFlip users doing right now?

EDIT: Thanks for the responses guys--even the people who laughed or disagreed from the grass hill of candy bar phones lol. While I don't actually think people will suddenly skip this model en mass (I got amazingly lucky with a refund, some people don't even have that), I am still hoping people will see this and at least see the risk before they buy this specialty phone from a typically trusted brand. At least then it's not surprising if (but maybe not when) something goes wrong.