Whatever you do, don't drop your Samsung phone. | Image by PhoneArena
Flagship smartphones are pricey, and their components are no cheaper. A single clumsy drop can wreck a device's screen or back panel, leaving you with a staggering repair bill. To soften the blow, Apple and Samsung both offer Care+ insurance to cover damage and theft. But while Apple's program is predictable, Samsung's is full of nasty surprises, per an analysis by Insuranceopedia.com.
Maybe just don't drop your Samsung?
Apple vs Samsung repair costs | Image by Insuranceopedia
Apple and Samsung flagships now carry similar price tags, dispelling any remaining notion that Samsung is the cheaper of the two.
Even with insurance, repairing a Samsung phone can sting.
When real-world repair patterns were compared, Samsung fixes were 30% to 60% more expensive. While iPhone users spend $75 on average per incident, Samsung users are shelling out $100–$120.
The analysis assumes that screen repairs are the most frequent, followed by accidental damage and replacement.
Samsung repair costs are unpredictable
Samsung repair costs fluctuate based on your model and plan. Apple's fees are fixed, so the bill is less of a surprise. Customers usually buy phone insurance to avoid having to pay a large repair bill, but the report suggests that the fee isn't appreciably cheaper with Samsung Care+.
What would you do if the cost to repair your phone was too high?
Begrudgingly pay it.
15.38%
Time for a 'present' for a family member.
6.15%
Sell it for whatever I can get and upgrade.
38.46%
Remind myself that insurance is useless.
40%
65 Votes
Wait, phones are still prone to breakage
Despite all the talk about durability, phones continue to be vulnerable to damage, thanks to glass backs and fragile materials. If your device hits the pavement at the wrong angle, it's unlikely to escape unscathed.
The problem is even more dire for foldables, which have a complicated design.
Is this why Apple users are so loyal?
iPhone owners are often teased for a cult-like devotion, but a predictable repair bill might be one reason Apple's smartphones enjoy greater loyalty than Androids.
While repair costs aren't necessarily something you consider when upgrading your phone, a massive bill for a cracked screen may make you reconsider brand loyalty.
The report is yet another reminder that phones still need cases and screen protectors.
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Anam Hamid is a computer scientist turned tech journalist who has a keen interest in the tech world, with a particular focus on smartphones and tablets. She has previously written for Android Headlines and has also been a ghostwriter for several tech and car publications. Anam is not a tech hoarder and believes in using her gadgets for as long as possible. She is concerned about smartphone addiction and its impact on future generations, but she also appreciates the convenience that phones have brought into our lives. Anam is excited about technological advancements like folding screens and under-display sensors, and she often wonders about the future of technology. She values the overall experience of a device more than its individual specs and admires companies that deliver durable, high-quality products. In her free time, Anam enjoys reading, scrolling through Reddit and Instagram, and occasionally refreshing her programming skills through tutorials.
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