Samsung says 3rd-party chargers peeling off paint on Galaxy devices

If your shiny new Samsung Galaxy device is starting to look a little less pristine thanks to some unsightly paint peeling off, you’re not alone. From phones to watches, a number of Samsung Galaxy users have been reporting issues with the coating or paint on their devices coming off. This problem affects even the latest Galaxy S24 Ultra and Galaxy Watch Ultra and has, in fact, been happening for years.

Samsung, aware of these complaints, recently published an official explanation to shed some light on why this might be happening. The culprit, according to Samsung, often isn’t the device itself but rather the accessories you might be using with it.

Samsung’s recent support document warns that certain third-party products could be the sneaky cause behind the peeling paint. If you’ve been using a non-Samsung charger or accessory with your Galaxy device, you might want to think twice. Samsung explains that improperly grounded third-party chargers can cause a leakage current that messes with the anodization process — a fancy way of saying the metal coating on your device — which can lead to the paint peeling off.

Samsung points out that holding your phone while charging with these third-party accessories increases the chances of peeling. When your hands are in contact with the phone, the leakage current can have a more direct impact, exacerbating the paint-peeling problem. This isn’t just limited to phones either; even using your Galaxy device to power EMS (Electrical Muscle Stimulation) massagers can cause similar issues if you’re holding the device at the same time. Holding your phone while using one of these massagers can cause a similar electrical leak, affecting the coating on your device. It’s almost like the paint is having an allergic reaction to the current.

So, what can you do to avoid this problem? Samsung’s advice is pretty straightforward: stick to using official Samsung chargers and accessories. Not only are these products designed to work perfectly with your device, but they’re also tested to prevent these kinds of issues. If you must use a third-party charger, make sure it’s from a reputable brand and meets all necessary standards — because not all chargers are created equal.

In summary, if you want to keep your Galaxy device looking as good as the day you unboxed it, be mindful of what you’re plugging into it. After all, nobody wants to deal with peeling paint on a premium device, especially when it can be avoided with a bit of extra care. And hey, your Galaxy will thank you for it.