If you’re thinking about snagging a Samsung Galaxy Z Fold7 or Z Flip7, there’s something you need to know upfront: cracking the screen could hit your wallet so hard you’ll wonder why you didn’t just stick with a regular phone. These foldables might be the coolest thing since sliced bread—futuristic designs, folding screens, all that jazz—but when it comes to repairs, they’re a whole different beast. Spoiler alert: it’s not cheap. Like, really not cheap.

Let’s break it down, because the numbers are wild.

Picture this: you’ve got your shiny new Galaxy Z Fold7, and oops, it slips out of your hand. That gorgeous inner folding screen? According to parts pricing dug up by SamMobile from a European supplier, replacing it will cost you €761. That’s about $890 in U.S. dollars. And that’s just for the part itself—labor and service fees? Extra. For some perspective, $890 could snag you a brand-new Galaxy S24 Plus, or even a gently used Galaxy S24 Ultra if you’re shopping smart. You’re basically choosing between fixing your foldable or buying a whole new flagship phone.

But wait, there’s more. The Z Fold7’s smaller outer cover screen—y’know, the one you use when it’s folded shut—runs €525, or roughly $611. Again, that’s just the part. If you’re unlucky enough to smash both screens (and let’s be honest, gravity doesn’t discriminate), you’re staring down a parts bill of over $1,500 before anyone even picks up a screwdriver. Add in labor, and you might as well start shopping for a new device—or maybe a nice weekend getaway instead.

The Z Flip7, Samsung’s “more affordable” foldable, isn’t much better. Its internal folding screen is priced at €342 ($400), and the 4.1-inch FlexWindow cover screen will set you back €207 ($240). Sure, that’s less than the Z Fold7, but $400 to fix a screen still feels like a punch to the gut, especially when you’re already dropping $1,000+ on the phone itself. And yep, labor’s not included. If you’re out of warranty or hitting up a third-party repair shop, brace yourself for an even bigger bill.

Here’s where it gets trickier: Samsung’s standard warranty doesn’t cover accidental damage. Drop your phone, crack the screen, and they’ll just shrug and hand you the bill. Unless, of course, you’ve signed up for Samsung Care+. Now, this might actually be worth it, given the stakes.

For the Z Fold7, Samsung Care+ runs $13 a month or $259 a year. For the Z Flip7, it’s $10 monthly or $169 annually. What do you get? Unlimited same-day repairs for screen or back glass damage, with a $29 deductible per visit. Compare that to $890 for a single Z Fold7 inner screen replacement, and it’s a no-brainer. You could cover years of Care+ for the price of one repair. When you’re shelling out $1,800 or more for these phones, that extra protection starts to feel less like a luxury and more like a lifeline.

Here’s a fun twist: repair costs aren’t the same everywhere. In India, Samsung’s official support page lists much friendlier numbers. The Z Fold7’s inner screen? ₹46,870, or about $543. The outer screen? Just ₹6,740—around $78. For the Z Flip7, the inner screen is ₹19,350 ($224), and the cover screen is ₹5,810 ($67). That’s a huge gap compared to Europe’s pricing, even accounting for currency differences. If you’re in India, you might not sweat a cracked screen as much. But for folks in the U.S. or Europe? Ouch.

Foldables are engineering wizards—ultra-thin glass, intricate hinges, screens that bend. It’s impressive, but it’s also why repairs cost an arm and a leg. Industry folks point out that foldable screens are harder to produce than regular flat ones, with lower manufacturing yields driving up replacement costs. Plus, fixing them isn’t a quick swap—repair techs need specialized tools and know-how, which jacks up labor fees. It’s the price you pay for living on the cutting edge, apparently.

Samsung’s been hyping up the durability of the Z Fold7 and Z Flip7—stronger hinges, tougher screens, the works. And sure, they’re better than the flimsy foldables of a few years ago. But let’s not kid ourselves: these phones are still more fragile than your average slab phone. One bad drop, and you’re not just out a few bucks—you’re potentially looking at a repair bill that rivals the phone’s resale value. If you’re the type to skip cases or screen protectors, you’re basically playing Russian roulette with your bank account.

So, should you still get one? That’s the million-dollar question—or, well, the $1,800-plus-repair-costs question. If you’re obsessed with the foldable form factor and baby your gadgets, maybe it’s worth it. Pair it with Samsung Care+, and you’ve got a safety net. But if you’re accident-prone or just not sold on the idea of a phone that costs this much to fix, you might want to stick with a traditional flagship. The Galaxy S24 Ultra might not fold, but at least a cracked screen won’t make you cry into your savings account.

There’s hope on the horizon, though. As foldables get more popular—Google, OnePlus, and Huawei are all in the game now—competition could push prices down and make repairs less of a nightmare. For now, though, these devices are a luxury through and through, from the sticker price to the maintenance.

The Galaxy Z Fold7 and Z Flip7 are stunning, no doubt about it. But that wow factor comes with a catch: break the screen, and you’re in for a financial reckoning. If you’re jumping into the foldable life, budget for Samsung Care+ from day one—or at least invest in a bombproof case. Because with these phones, it’s not just about the upfront cost—it’s about keeping them alive without breaking the bank.