I feel newer fridges are not using pure copper; on the Hitachi at least, the black coating thingy got dislodged, water seeped in and started the Galvanic corrosion process. It might have been a defect from factory; but from my internet research (as I was gearing up to fight Hitachi), many of their fridge all over SEA have such issues and it was mostly related to one batch of fridge using a particular compressor model.

Since, Hitachi was giving us a 50% discount on a new fridge of the same model; our request to them was to allow us to choose another model or just give us a smaller fridge at the 50% value at no cost. To which they were adamant that this is company policy, other customers have accepted in the past and why are we making an issue, yadda yadda and left me with no choice but to file a case against them.

Already won and Hitachi Replaced a brand new fridge; I guess its a lesson learnt for them as well. Many have just paid the 50% and took whatever they offered.

Prices seem to have increased quite a bit, we purchased this same model 2 years back; only had one issue with the display panel which was repair under warranty.

So far no major issues.

Only thing is that, it lacks the flexi shelf and 2nd drawer in refrigerator compartment compared to the smaller size model.

But love the deep fridge door pocket, which can fit 1.5l bottle and even 2l (A&W) bottle with ease.

This post has been edited by dayalan86: Dec 16 2021, 02:38 PM

So far been using Cal-Lab Lightning isolator to protect our Fridge & Washing Machine & TV.

The Isolator itself is serviceable and so far, we only had to service it once because the isolator itself got burnt but other devices were protected.

Designed & Manufactured by a Malaysian.

Most likely since he can't get spares for Samsung.

My Samsung fridge is 3 years old now, without issues and I have a Hitachi which was rendered completely useless at just 5 years due to failed compressor + internal blockage.

I feel Panasonic is still the best bet for longevity, but we ended up with Samsung for internal space practicality. Anyhow, modern day fridge will definitely up lorry at least once after 5 years of age, due to the amount of electronics in them; compared to older models.

I have relatives using 20 year old Samsung, Hitachi and Panasonic without issues. Our Own Sharp Fridge lasted for 19 years without much issues.

Yeah inverter type costs a bomb to repair, and the new environmental friendly gas, runs hotter. Hence, many design submerge the copper tubing inside the evaporator coil tank instead of just being outside the tank.

Problem is, copper is expensive, so they use sub-par materials and easily corrode. The Hitachi fridge tubing corroded and broke off inside the evaporator tank and sucked up the evaporator tank condensation water into the system; causing it massive blockage (beyond repair).

Apprarently this is a common issue for Hitachi, a certain batch only; mine was replaced FOC by Hitachi but others didn't have similar luck and had to pay 50% to Hitachi for the same exact model replacement.

Some Samsung has similar issues, but haven't seen or read about Panasonic with these kind of issues.

Anyhow, 19 years fridge biggest issue will be power draw. That was why we replaced our old Sharp with Samsung (when the Hitachi failed and we needed a bigger fridge while fighting the case against Hitachi) and also practical design with fridge on top, to make it easier for my parents to get things without bending too much.

Reliable, I still feel Panasonic is the best. Compared to Hitachi.

Anyhow, we are using Samsung for more than 3 years now; one minor issue which resolved quickly during warranty period.

Let it run overnight empty, next day should be cool

Lowest power consumption is Top Freezer Bottom Fridge, but practical use; Bottom Freezer and Top Fridge is better.

Reliability Japanese (Panasonic or Sharp) is the best; I am using Samsung now for about 3 years. Had one Warranty Call due to damaged display LED (Warranty call was quick, Samsung Call centre even works on Sundays) otherwise good.

Hitachi has poor after sales support and in my case, dubious quality control; hence I wouldn't recommend this brand. Although the free replacement they gave us, is equally trouble free for these 3 years but my previous inverter Hitachi completely died without a chance of revival at the age of 5 years 3 days ( and its a batch issue, defective compressor)

I see relatives running Panasonic or Sharp Inverter without a hitch so far, for more than 6 years.

Generally Jap Brands > Korean > China brand (Hisense, Midea or Toshiba, which is under licence by Midea at the moment)

This post has been edited by dayalan86: Apr 18 2022, 05:30 PM

Shopee sometimes slightly cheaper but if delivery is not by seller own transport best to avoid; difficult to claim from seller if got defect or dents.

I prefer to shop at ESH or TBM, as they somehow can match prices or go as close as possible to online offers.

So far bought my fridge and tv from them

LG Smart Inverter is supposed to be better than Linear Inverters type.

Benefit of LG is the LG ThinQ App. If you are looking at Haier, I would suggest considering Hisense too and add on extended warranty.