iFixit’s teardown shows why repairing Samsung’s latest foldable is complex, costly, and not DIY-friendly.
Galaxy Z Fold 7: Durable But Difficult to Fix
The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 is an engineering marvel—sleek, powerful, and packed with top-tier hardware. But when it comes to repairability, it’s a very different story. The teardown experts at iFixit have exposed just how difficult it is to fix this foldable device, awarding it a low repairability score of only 3 out of 10.
The Teardown Begins: Unexpected Surprises
Right from the start, iFixit’s disassembly process ran into complications. Their attempt to remove the front display accidentally led to the back panel popping off first. This was a hint of the complex and delicate internal structure Samsung uses for this device.
- Access issues: Standard entry points didn’t respond as expected.
- Delicate construction: Requires more precision than usual flagship phones.
Battery Replacement: A Tedious Process
One of the most common smartphone repairs—battery replacement—is particularly challenging on the Z Fold 7. The phone contains two batteries, one on each half of the foldable design.
- First battery: Requires removing multiple components including the charging port, cables, and screws—despite having a pull tab to assist removal.
- Second battery: Even harder to reach, requiring the front screen to be removed using heat and suction.
Adding to the complexity, glued-in components like the SIM tray made access slower and riskier.
Inner Screen Removal: The Most Fragile Step
The most fragile and difficult task was accessing the inner folding screen—a critical part of the Z Fold 7.
- Tools and heat required for safe removal.
- High risk of damage, even with extreme care.
- iFixit advises attempting this only if the screen is already broken.
Repair Score: Just 3 Out of 10
After fully dismantling the Galaxy Z Fold 7, iFixit rated it just 3/10 on their repairability scale. In their words, the device is “not made for easy repairs.”
- Key concerns:
- Too many delicate internal parts
- Use of adhesives
- Complex access to core components
- Bottom line: Repairs are time-consuming, costly, and require special tools and expertise.
Should You Worry as a Buyer?
If you’re considering the Galaxy Z Fold 7, understand this: it’s a high-performance foldable with unmatched design—but if it breaks, especially the inner screen or battery, DIY repair is unrealistic.
- Professional repair will likely be your only option.
- Repair costs could be high due to complexity.
- Durability ≠repairability—the phone survives stress tests, but internal fixes are another story.
