Some Galaxy Z Fold 6 owners are pretty upset right now, and for good reason. They’re seeing the paint on the new foldable peel off, and that’s not something you want to experience after spending $1900 on a phone.
Samsung is pointing the finger at third-party chargers, which is bizarre to many of us because charging issues typically don’t cause cosmetic damage like paint peeling. Usually, your main concerns would be around battery health or overheating. But the brand has shared details of the problem.
Third-party chargers to blame for paint peeling on Galaxy Z Fold 6
According to Samsung, your Galaxy Z Fold 6 is peeling because you’re using a charger that’s not properly grounded. But what does that even mean?
Typically, “properly grounded” means that the charger is supposed to safely direct excess electrical current away from the device and into the ground, so that there’s no electrical leaks or interference. On the other hand, a charger that’s not properly grounded will allow leakage current when you’re holding the phone. It messes with the paint and causes it to chip.
In shorter words, you’re most likely using a charger that’s not their official product. So you’ll want to switch to using Samsung chargers, even though they’re expensive. The brand also says that paint chipping can happen if you use an Electrical Muscle Stimulation massager (EMS) that’s powered by your phone.
But here’s the thing — Samsung stopped including chargers with their devices a couple of years ago. So now people have to buy them separately. When they blame third-party chargers for issues like this, it’s ironic.
They created a situation where people are turning to third-party sources in the first place. Unfortunately, there’s not much they can do for you currently. The company suggests heading to your nearest service center for help.
It’s not Samsung, it’s you
Samsung is confident that their phones are not the problem. They say products go under testing “rigorously”, which feels like a convenient excuse to avoid responsibility and offering refunds or replacements.
Before being released to the public, Samsung devices and accessories undergo rigorous testing to ensure they are safe and function properly. However, if a user attempts to use an incompatible third-party product with their Samsung device, there is a risk of inadvertently causing damage, such as paint peeling, to the device.
Samsung
One Reddit user said that their Galaxy Z Fold 6 had paint peeling near the fingerprint sensor and in the back left corner, both on the outside and inside of the phone. They’ve reported this issue to Samsung and their network provider, but both have said that fixing the damage will come at a cost because it’s considered “cosmetic” damage. The user also has Samsung Care+ but is reluctant to use it because the excess fee is £139, roughly $184.
Samsung has created a problem and is selling you the solution
There are some issues with Samsung’s current explanations for the paint peeling. One, there might be consumerism at play. They’re nudging you to buy a different or “better” charger to keep your device safe, rather than offering aftercare options. Worse, you have to buy the charger from Samsung and no one else if you want the best product. It doesn’t sit well with many users.
Two, there’s a disconnect between their excuses and the technicalities of grounded chargers they addressed before. Their adapters in the USA and some other regions don’t have proper grounding mechanisms. They mostly have only two prongs (spot them on the brand’s US web store).
Samsung says that if you want to know that a charger is properly grounded, look out for three prongs. The third prong is for grounding. The other two are the live or hot prong and neutral prong. The live one carries the electrical current from the power source to the device. The neutral one carries the current back to the power source to complete the electrical circuit.
You can also check if the charger is certified by recognized safety standards. E.g., Underwriters Laboratories (UL) in the US or Conformité Européenne (CE) in Europe). You should see the indication on the charger or the product box. Sadly, fake chargers can also have these markings. You’ll just have to check reviews, trust your instincts, and buy from reputable sources.
