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…
Apple’s biggest new health feature skips older Apple Watches
Readiness is one of the headline additions to Apple’s new health system, but Apple currently limits it to its newest models
Apple Watch Series 12 and Apple Watch Ultra 4 announcement featured

Apple’s new Readiness score is one of the standout health features arriving with the Apple Watch Series 12 and Apple Watch Ultra 4. Owners of older models aren’t getting the same upgrade.

Readiness is part of Apple’s new Health Sensing System, which takes heart-rate and heart rate variability measurements more frequently. That hardware dependency puts the feature outside the usual watchOS update cycle and gives the newest Apple Watches something older models currently can’t replicate.

Read more
Of course, Apple Watch Series 12 in Ceramic is pricier at the repair desk
Apple’s $899 ceramic Watch can cost $599 to repair
Wristwatch, Arm, Body Part

It was great seeing the ceramic Apple Watch return this year. But the enthusiasm of owning one would probably disappear quickly after dropping one. Apple’s new ceramic Apple Watch Series 12 costs $599 to repair for “other damage” without AppleCare+, according to MacRumors, citing Apple’s current service estimates. That category essentially covers damage outside of a battery replacement, which is priced separately at $99.

This is a substantial repair bill for a watch that already starts at $899 in Pearl White or Night Blue. Apple’s standard aluminum Series 12 starts at $399, while titanium starts at $699.

Read more
Samsung’s next AI glasses could finally put a screen in front of your eyes
A built-in display may be the missing piece that turns Samsung’s AI glasses into a must-have gadget.
Samsung AI Glasses

Samsung's first AI glasses, launching later this year with Google, Gentle Monster, and Warby Parker, skip the screen entirely and stick to camera and voice features. But a new report from TheLEC says Samsung is already working on a follow-up that adds a display.

What kind of screen are we talking about?

Read more