Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Wearables
  3. Mobile
  4. News

Samsung’s phone repair service is getting a big upgrade in January

Add as a preferred source on Google
A person holding the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra.
The Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra's color options Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

If you have a Samsung Galaxy device, then now would be a good time to consider getting Samsung Care+. Why? Because screen repairs will be free under Care+ for covered Galaxy devices beginning in January 2025, as spotted by 9to5Google. Of course, there’s a small catch.

But what is Samsung Care+? It’s basically just Apple Care, but for Samsung devices. So this extended coverage will apply to Samsung Galaxy phones (i.e. S24, S24 Plus, S24 Ultra, etc.), tablets (i.e. Tab S10 Ultra), and even wearables, like smartwatches (Galaxy Watch Ultra). For broken displays, though, you’d still pay a little bit of money even with Samsung Care+, though at a significant discount. Currently, the price for a cracked screen repair starts at $29.

The Samsung Galaxy S24 Plus resting on a concrete slab, with the screen turned on and showing the home screen.
Joe Maring / Digital Trends

Though it wasn’t a very pricey repair, Samsung is sweetening the deal with Care+ by adding “Zero Dollar Screen Repairs” starting in January. This new perk will be applicable to all existing and new subscribers, and will includes repairs that are mailed or walk-in visits at stores. Zero Dollar Screen Repairs will cover front screen and back glass, but will not apply for the folding displays on the Galaxy Z Fold and Flip series.

Recommended Videos

However, there’s a catch, and it’s an important one: Zero Dollar Screen Repairs is only included in the “Care+ with Theft and Loss” coverage plan, which (of course) is the most expensive tier.

This change was explained in an email sent to current Care+ subscribers.

“Effective January 15, 2025, Samsung and Samsung Care+ with Theft and Loss will be introducing ZERO DOLLAR SCREEN REPAIRS. This coverage will apply to damages that impact the front screen and back glass only. In addition to Mail-In Repair and Walk-In Repair options, Care+ customers will continue to have the option of screen repair at their location of choice.

“Care+ customers with eligible plans will automatically be eligible for this coverage after January 15, 2025.”

Wondering how much the cost of Care+ is? It depends on what device you have. Though the price of coverage has increased recently, it also did add unlimited battery replacements, which seems like a fair trade-off.

Christine Romero-Chan
Christine Romero-Chan has been writing about technology, specifically Apple, for over a decade. She graduated from California…
This smart ring makes a blood pressure promise Apple and Oura still won’t
The $399 Signal Ring provides actual systolic and diastolic readings, but it’s launching as a wellness device without FDA clearance
Oura Ring 4, Galaxy Ring and RingConn Gen 2 in the palm of a hand

Vital Signals has unveiled a $399 smart ring that goes further than Apple and Oura currently dare. The Signal Ring displays numerical blood pressure readings without requiring an arm cuff for initial or recurring calibration.

Bloomberg reports that preorders open July 16, with shipping scheduled to begin in October. The ring can collect readings during the day and overnight, then display the results through an iOS or Android app.

Read more
HTC’s smart glasses are apparently coming to the US, but HTC hasn’t said so
Amazon briefly listed the VIVE Eagle for a September 1 launch, while HTC still says the $499 glasses are only available in Taiwan
A woman wearing the HTC Vive Eagle smart glasses

HTC’s VIVE Eagle smart glasses could finally be heading to the US. Apparently, Amazon got the memo before HTC was ready to share it.

Notebookcheck spotted six versions available for preorder at $499, each carrying a September 1 release date. Amazon has since pulled the pages, so new orders are closed and anyone who already placed one is left wondering whether it still counts.

Read more
Don’t expect smartwatches and fitness bands with replaceable batteries anytime soon
Turns out even the EU thinks your smartwatch is too small for a battery swap.
Wristwatch, Arm, Body Part

The EU has a habit of pushing tech companies to adopt meaningful changes in their product. It's the reason your iPhone finally has a USB-C port, and it's also why companies now have to offer spare parts and repair support for electronics for several years after launch. So naturally, many of us assumed wearables were next in line for mandatory swappable batteries. Turns out, the EU just went the other way.

So what did the EU announce?

Read more