Some Galaxy Z Fold 7 Users Face Paint Wear Issues Similar to Fold 6

A little over a month ago, Samsung’s latest foldables hit store shelves and the complaints have already started to roll in. Some Galaxy Z Fold 7 owners are reporting concerns, which doesn’t paint the best look for a top-dollar, premium device. Or does it?

A bunch of Galaxy Z Fold 7 owners report paint wearing off despite cases

Folks over at Android Authority spotted complaints on Reddit (1,2,3) from Galaxy Z Fold 7 owners who said the paint was coming off. More specifically, the reports describe chips and bare patches forming around the power button, charging port, and along the side rails. Several users stressed that their phones had never been dropped and were kept in cases, yet the coating still began to peel away.

That doesn’t look nice for a device that launched at over $2,000. And it’s not the first time Samsung’s top-shelf foldable has faced this kind of criticism. Just last year, the Galaxy Z Fold 6 drew similar complaints about paint wear. Back then, Samsung suggested that poorly grounded third-party chargers could interfere with the anodized finish on the aluminum frame. And that would lead to deterioration over time.

Here’s what Samsung says (in a support page):

“Using a high-speed third-party charger that isn’t properly grounded can lead to leakage currents that deteriorate the anodization (a protective and aesthetic finish on metal surfaces) of your Galaxy device. This may result in the delamination of the paint. To ensure the longevity and appearance of your device, we strongly recommend using only official Samsung chargers, which are specifically designed to prevent such issues.”

It’s happening even when people are using Samsung’s official charger

But this time around, some Galaxy Z Fold 7 owners claim they only used Samsung’s official 25W charger, which suggests the old explanation may not stick. Instead, the problem could be tied to the anodization process itself rather than accessories. As for the actual reason, only Samsung knows.

Official chargers had been the go-to solution everyone pointed to. Even in Reddit threads about the issue, the first suggestion was always the same. But now, with even those being questioned, Galaxy Z Fold 7 owners may have little choice but to wait for Samsung’s next move.

We’ll update this story once Samsung releases an official statement.