Samsung class action claims defects affect smartphones’ fold functionality

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Samsung Z Fold 3 class action overview:

• Who: Antonio Lewis filed a class action complaint against Samsung Electronics America, Inc.
• What: The plaintiff alleges the Samsung Z Fold 3 phone has defects related to its fold functionality.
• Where: The lawsuit was filed in New York federal court.

Antonio Lewis filed a class action complaint against phone maker Samsung, which alleges that the Z Fold 3 phone’s folding technology does not live up to promises of durability.

According to the lawsuit, Samsung promotes in its advertising that the phone holds up to rigorous tests, saying it can be folded and unfolded more than 200,000 times, the equivalent of five years of usage. 

The Samsung Z Fold 3 class action, however, alleges that the phones have a high percentage of screen failures, which begin with a minor crack or a crack running the length of the fold. 

The lawsuit claims the Samsung Z Fold 3 is “highly susceptible to screen damage, including corrupted pixels, through microscopic particles getting under the protective film at the hinge, creating air pockets.” The lawsuit also alleges that cold temperatures can cause the screen protector to snap instead of bend.

Faulty testing didn’t include real-world use, Samsung class action claims

The lawsuit claims that Samsung’s testing environments did not include real-world applications that expose the phones to environmental factors such as temperature swings, dust, sweat, water and normal day-to-day handling of the device, all of which can affect the durability and functionality of the hinge.

The plaintiff bought the phone for around $1,800 in 2021, he claims. When his phone was no longer functional after less than one year of use, Lewis attempted to get coverage from Samsung, but he alleges he was told screen repair was not included. He was told the repair would cost him more than $500, according to the Samsung Z Fold 3 class action.

The class action complaint alleges that Samsung used “unfair, misleading and deceptive representations, omissions and actions” in selling the Samsung Z fold 3 phone. It claims Samsung violated New York Business Law, the Virginia Consumer Protection Act and state consumer fraud acts (which cover North Dakota, Wyoming, Idaho, Alaska, Iowa, Mississippi, Arkansas, North Carolina and Utah). The Samsung lawsuit cites breaches of contract, express warranty, implied warranty of merchantability/fitness for a particular purpose and the federal Magnuson Moss Warranty Act.

Samsung has faced legal action over folding devices before. A class action lawsuit in 2021 claimed laptop hinges, marketed as a 2-in-1 tablet device, were also defective.

What do you think of the Samsung lawsuit? Let us know in the comments below!

The Samsung Z Fold 3 class action is Antonio Lewis, individually and on behalf of all others similarly situated v. Samsung Electronics America, Inc., Case No. 1:22-cv-10882, in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York.

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