Global pattern of screen failure in Samsung flip phones: Consumer Commission orders replacement of defective handset
In a judgment delivered on July 3, the Bench of President Kollol Chattopadhyay and Member Udayan Roy referred to such a pattern as documented in a US class action lawsuit.
Hence, the Commission ordered Samsung to either replace the handset or refund ₹85,000, along with ₹25,000 as compensation and ₹10,000 towards litigation costs.
The complainant, a Kolkata resident, had purchased the Galaxy Z Flip 3 5G for ₹85,000 on January 29, 2022. Within the one-year warranty period, on November 15, 2022, a black shadow appeared near the fold of the screen, which gradually spread and rendered the device unusable.
When he approached Samsung’s authorised service centre, it demanded ₹29,849 for repairs, terming the damage “accidental and liquid damage” despite the phone being under warranty.
