SAMSUNG WARRANTY
Samsung offers an extremely wide range of technological products, from cellphones and tablets to vacuum cleaners and washing machines. Therefore, understanding your Samsung Warranty can be tricky – there is such a wealth of information online, and warranty terms vary so much from product to product. However, this guide is designed to ensure that you understand the key information when it comes to your warranty. The guide is broken up into sections based on the types of devices, so regardless of your Samsung product, you’ll be able to find the information you need.
Despite the relatively diverse information available, there are certain universal characteristics, particularly when it comes to what is not covered under your warranty. Samsung products tend to be premium products within the market, meaning the initial investment is high, and therefore you may be daunted from spending more on warranties or insurance. However, you need to consider the cost of replacement when weighing up insurance or Extended Warranty options.
These are financial decisions that you can calculate based on the cost of the product, the cost of the insurance premium or warranty extension, as well as your own appetite for risk. The below information will provide you with a lot of the information you need to make that decision.
MOBILE DEVICES
The most famous of the Samsung range of products is its mobile devices. Samsung is one of the few companies that challenge Apple for market dominance and quality on its mobile devices. Below is the list of Samsung’s warranties for their mobile devices.
Device | Warranty Period | Warranty Service | Additional Information |
|---|---|---|---|
Mobile phone | 12 months | Carry in/Postal return | Accessories included under warranty, except cases (limited to 90 days) |
Tablet | 12 months | Carry in/Postal return | Accessories included under warranty, except cases (limited to 90 days) |
Wearable | 12 months | Carry in/Postal return | This includes: Smartwatches and Fitness Bands, Wireless Headsets, Virtual Reality, Gear 360, Galaxy Buds, and AKG headphones |
SmartThings | 12 months | Carry in/Postal return | Accessories included with the warranty |
As shown above, these terms are extremely limited, particularly with regard to duration. Furthermore, the requirement to return (at the consumer’s expense) to Samsung in case of damage is further limiting. However, most of these terms are relatively standard across the mobile device industry; most of these products are also covered under home insurance policies (if specifically named in the premium).
TV AND AUDIOVISUAL EQUIPMENT
Samsung’s televisions are, like its mobile devices, market leaders. As with mobile devices, the terms of the warranties on these objects are also somewhat limited. The only exception is the Terrace, Samsung’s outdoor TV. Here Samsung offers a 24-month warranty with an in-home service option. This is presumably because of the relative newness of the product and a desire to reassure consumers of its durability.
For large TVs, the in-home service option is optimal, although this more reflects the practicality of carrying in or shipping an extremely large TV.
Device | Warranty Period | Warranty Service |
|---|---|---|
TV (screen size 49" or larger) | 12 months | In-home service |
TV (screen size 48" or less) | 12 months | Carry-in (customer responsible for transport) |
UHD/Blu-ray player and TV accessories | 12 months | Carry-in (customer responsible for transport) |
Sound bar, Sound tower + Wireless audio | 12 months | Carry-in (customer responsible for transport) |
The Premiere (projector) | 24 months | Carry-in (customer responsible for transport) |
The Terrace (outdoor TV) | 24 months | In-home service |
HOME APPLIANCES
There is a broad range of Samsung home appliances. However, the approach to warranties is remarkably standardized. Across the board, Samsung offers a basic 12-month warranty. Within each category, however, there are specific parts that are covered to a greater degree. For example, parts of a refrigerator are under warranty for ten years and for five years on a microwave.
Moreover, for most of its appliances, Samsung will come to your home and service the product rather than require you to carry it in. This is true even with relatively small (and portable) appliances like a microwave. This represents a relatively high level of customer service.
Device | Warranty Period | Warranty Service | Additional Information |
|---|---|---|---|
Refrigerator | 12 months | In-home service | 10-year parts warranty on digital inverter compressors |
Washing machine | 12 months | In-home service | Some models have additional parts coverage (see manual or warranty card for more information) |
Dryer | 12 months | In-home service | n/a |
Range | 12 months | In-home service | 5-year parts warranty on radiant heater (some models) and glass cooktop (all models) |
Microwave | 12 months | In-home service | 5-year parts warranty on magnetron |
Vacuum cleaner | 12 months | Carry in/Pickup service | 12-month warranty on battery |
Dishwasher | 12 months | In-home service | n/a |
PC AND OFFICE
Samsung computers have relatively high price points and are premium options for both home and consumer use. Indeed, that is reflected in the warranties offered. For B2B customers, the 36-month warranty is extremely generous, particularly in comparison with the 12-month offering for domestic consumers (B2C).
Similarly, the LFD screens not only have a three-year warranty but also offer on-site repair or exchange options. In this case, as well, Samsung is making a clear concession to business consumers, who drive a great deal of the sales when it comes to computers and computer equipment.
Device | Warranty Period | Warranty Service |
|---|---|---|
Notebook Computer | 12 months | Carry in / pickup service |
PCoIP | 36 months | Advanced exchange / repair |
Desktop Monitors (B2B) | 36 months | Carry in / pickup service |
Desktop Monitors (B2C) | 12 months | Carry in / pickup service |
Large Format Display (LFD) - LCD/LED | 36 months | On-side repair / exchange |
STORAGE
Storage devices have some of the most generous terms of Samsung’s warranties. Again, this is partially driven by strong B2B sales, which (as shown above) drives longer warranty duration. However, in all cases, the specifics of the warranties are somewhat opaque and will require you to consult with the warranty card that came with your purchase.
What is certainly true is that storage devices are covered under warranty for as long as ten years in some cases, and in all cases, at least three years. This gives the consumer a great deal of peace of mind, particularly when there may be a great deal of valuable information stored on the devices.
Device | Warranty Period | Warranty Service |
|---|---|---|
SSD | 36 months | Refer back to the place of purchase for warranty |
Memory Cards | 10 years | Refer back to the place of purchase for warranty |
USB Flash Drives | 5 years | Refer back to the place of purchase for warranty |
GENERAL WARRANTY INFORMATION
In addition to the specific information above, Samsung makes clear the following general information, which applies to all of its warranties.
- Warranty periods are intended as a guide only, and there may be variations within each product or appliance.
- Warranties begin when the item is purchased by the original purchaser (i.e., if you buy an item second-hand, the warranty does not reset).
- Warranties only cover problems resulting from manufacturing mistakes. This does not cover the following (unless specifically mentioned within your warranty): Batteries, bulbs, and ink cartridges.
- Samsung will only cover the cost of repair or replacement of the product - it will not cover the cost of any damage done or any ‘secondary costs’ that result from the defect.
INVALIDATING THE WARRANTY
Samsung has a very clear list of actions that invalidate the warranty. Doing any of the following will mean that you – the consumer – are liable for all the costs of repair (as well as finding someone to service the product):
1
Causing a defect through misuse, neglect, or tampering
2
Allowing an unauthorized person to carry out any of the repairs
3
Using a consumer or domestic product in a commercial environment
4
Installing the product incorrectly in your home
5
Removing the serial number from the model
If you’ve done any of the above, then you’re absolutely on your own and will be on the hook for all the costs involved.
Ultimately, although Samsung electronics are premium products, the warranties that come with them are limited – in every sense of the word. If you’ve paid for a top-of-the-line product, then the fear that it may be defective is a legitimate one, even if unlikely. The good news is that you are likely covered under a warranty for a truly defective product. Since Samsung repairs and services the appliances themselves, if something does go wrong, you can be sure you’re getting premium repairs.
However
the downside is that – if your warranty is either out of date or voided – then you’re unlikely to get any support from Samsung whatsoever. And the list of items that invalidate the warranty is large and potentially quite subjective (such as improper installation).
Moreover, the length of the warranties is short on the number of products. Therefore, knowing that a product can break down after a year and a day and you’ll be on the hook can be daunting – and undermines the point of paying for an industry-leading product.
In most instances, you’ll need to consider either a third-party home warranty or your home insurance policy. Both of these options will give you greater coverage than a Samsung warranty and will ensure that your premium appliance doesn’t lead to you having premium levels of stress.