The latest Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 just underwent a teardown from the team at iFixit and the results present a challenging reality for owners. The device earned a repairability score of 4 out of 10. While Samsung implemented several improvements like standard screws and a modular USB-C port, the core structural design remains difficult to service.
The inclusion of new silicon-carbon battery technology provides an 8.8 percent boost in capacity. However, the internal layout complicates battery replacement. Accessing one of the two batteries involves removing the outer display, which creates a high risk of damaging that component during the process.
Issues become more severe when addressing the inner screen or hinge. During the assessment, the plastic bezel around the inner display fractured, which rendered the OLED panel unusable. Samsung currently groups the inner screen and the hinge into a single assembly. This means that a minor issue with either part necessitates disassembling the entire unit.
Dust protection also falls short of expectations. Despite an IP4X rating, the hinge remains vulnerable to debris like sand and lint. Observations during testing showed the hinge mechanism failing to exclude fine particles, leading to grinding noises. With official replacement parts for previous models still difficult to source, potential owners should consider these maintenance hurdles before purchase.