If you've spent over a thousand dollars on one of the best folding cell phones, the last thing you want to deal with is expensive repair work. Thankfully, Samsung has now extended its self-service repair program to include a whole new range of devices, including the latest foldable phones, giving you the opportunity to repair the damage yourself.

This is the first time Samsung has offered self-service repair services for foldable devices, but the downside is that it only includes the Galaxy Z Fold 5 and Galaxy Z Flip 5. Those with older devices like the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4 will be out of luck.

Fortunately, it is not only folding devices that can participate in the program: the entire Galaxy S23 series, from the Galaxy S23 FE to the Galaxy S23 Ultra, will receive self-repair support, including the Galaxy A05s, Galaxy Tab S9 series, Galaxy Book 3 Pro and Pro 360.

Samsung's self-repair program was launched last year in partnership with iFixit. It allows users to purchase tools and parts to repair their Samsung devices and follow a detailed step-by-step repair guide.

Additionally, if you are not comfortable doing these yourself, it is easier and potentially cheaper for independent repair stores to provide genuine parts and fixes. With something as complex and fragile as a folding phone, with its flexible plastic display and folding hinges, you'd have to worry about making a mistake.

Since the new parts are not yet live on the iFixit website, we can't even say how expensive they are; given that the Galaxy S22 Ultra's screen and battery replacement bundle is $240 (including tools), the Galaxy S 23 Ultra can be expected to be similarly priced. However, I would be surprised if the Galaxy Z Fold 5's new screen and battery didn't cost a bit more.

If I'm being honest, though, the range of available spare parts seems pretty disappointing. Certainly compared to what Apple and Google offer for their phones (the latter also partners with iFixit). But still, better to have it than not.

Of course, Samsung's Galaxy S24 series is due to launch, and that means a whole new kind of phone to worry about breaking. Let's hope it won't be another 12 months before replacement parts become available.