New Galaxy Z Fold 7 suffering from early inner screen failures for some users

Reports are starting to trickle in from Galaxy Z Fold 7 owners experiencing premature inner screen failures. While the device only launched a few weeks ago, several users have reported complete screen failures occurring within just days or weeks of purchase.

One user on Samsung’s community forums detailed how their Fold 7’s inner display stopped working after less than a month of use. “I put it in my (empty) pocket and when I re-opened it the screen didn’t work,” they wrote, describing random flickers and thousands of visible microcracks across the display. When they brought the device to a service center, Samsung refused warranty coverage, claiming the damage was due to physical abuse.

Similar stories have emerged across Reddit and Facebook groups. A Facebook user shared photos of her husband’s three-week-old Fold 7 with a completely black inner screen, while another Reddit user described their display going “half dead with a line down the middle” just eight days after purchase. AT&T reportedly replaced one customer’s defective unit after the same center-line failure occurred just three days post-purchase.

The pattern seems consistent across cases: users report normal usage followed by sudden screen failure, often manifesting as black lines, partial display death, or complete unresponsiveness. Most concerning is that several warranty claims have been denied, with Samsung attributing the failures to user damage rather than manufacturing issues.

Adding to concerns is another widespread issue users are calling “angel wings” – mysterious moisture-like patterns that appear on the inner screen when the device is closed. These wing-shaped marks form along the crease area and, while they can be wiped away, they return repeatedly. Users worry this could lead to permanent screen damage if debris gets trapped in these areas.

A YouTube reviewer also documented experiencing the exact same center-line screen failure while testing various cases for the Fold 7, lending additional credibility to the reports.

Some users have speculated whether certain protective cases might be contributing to the problem, though failures have occurred across different case brands and even on unprotected devices.

Samsung has not yet issued any official statement regarding these reports. That said, just because a few users reported no success with Samsung support, doesn’t necessarily mean that all affected users will face the same situation. In the comments of the video, the creator pinned their update, stating:

I contacted Samsung about my screen issue. I shipped my phone back and they issued me a refund because I was within the return window. There have been quite a few of you commenting that you’ve had the same issue with your phones.

At this point, the actual scope of the problem remains unclear. While multiple users have reported identical failures, it’s still a relatively small number compared to overall sales. However, given the premium price point of the Fold 7 and the pattern of similar failures, potential buyers might want to consider extended warranty coverage.

For current owners experiencing screen issues, documenting the failure with photos and video before visiting service centers may help establish that the damage wasn’t user-caused. The Fold series has faced screen durability challenges throughout its evolution, and these early reports suggest that we still have some room for improvement. That said, don’t let this scare you off from bagging Samsung’s latest foldable. The phone is still pretty durable and even passed a test with flying colors.

This isn’t the first time we’ve seen concerns about the device’s screen though. Shorty after the launch, people spotted issues with the hinge not allowing the display to unfold flat on demo units. So it’s still possible that a tiny portion of Z Fold 7 units might actually have a hardware defect. In the meantime, if you own a Z Fold 7, feel free to let us know your experience with the device’s screen in the comments below.