The Galaxy Folds, Samsung's first folding-screen smartphones, are expected to go on sale within a few weeks, but the first test models sent to several reporters for their reviews showed some serious problems. After a couple of days of testing, the screens on some of these Galaxy Folds have stopped working, due to causes that are now investigating Samsung itself.
The new device was presented last February by Samsung, attracting great attention from the media and technology enthusiasts, who could finally see a product long promised by the South Korean company. The problems encountered in these days could cause some image problems to Samsung, which is focusing a lot on the Galaxy Fold to demonstrate its skills in the field of research and development of new devices, with which to relaunch the sales of its smartphones.
Dieter Bohn, journalist of the technology magazine The Verge, tells in an article the problems he encountered with his Galaxy Fold after a few days of testing. The device opens and closes like a book: it has a smaller external screen, and a larger, foldable one that becomes visible when you open the smartphone. Bohn noticed that under the screen, near where it folds, a small bulge had formed, caused by something that had gotten under it. As tiny as it was, the extra thickness caused the screen to crack, making it unusable.
Bohn explained that he is unsure of the causes of the problem. One hypothesis is that a foreign body has slipped into the Galaxy Fold's hinge, moving a few millimeters with each open / close, eventually ending up under the screen where it caused the damage. However, the tests carried out by Bohn did not foresee particularly high-risk uses: they were almost always carried out indoors, and not in environments with dust or sand.
Other reporters have reported problems with the Galaxy Folds sent by Samsung for their reviews. CNBC's Steve Kovach posted a video on Twitter showing how his test device stopped working after just one day of testing.
After one day of use… pic.twitter.com/ VjDlJI45C9
– Steve Kovach (@stevekovach) April 17, 2019
Bloomberg's Mark Gurman also had a similar problem, but in his case the cause may have been the removal of a protective film present on the foldable screen. The film was designed by Samsung to offer extra protection to the screen and does not need to be removed, but there were no clear indications on the test models sent to reporters. Several thought that it was the classic plastic film that manufacturers leave on the screens of new smartphones, to protect them until their first use.
The phone comes with this protective layer / film. Samsung says you are not supposed to remove it. I removed it, not knowing you're not supposed to (consumers won't know either). It appeared removable in the left corner, so I took it off. I believe this contributed to the problem. pic.twitter.com/fU646D2zpY
– Mark Gurman (@markgurman) April 17, 2019
PSA: There's a layer that appears to be a screen protector on the Galaxy Fold's display . It's NOT a screen protector. Do NOT remove it.
I got this far peeling it off before the display brushed and blacked out. Started over with a replacement. pic.twitter.com/ZhEG2Bqulr
– Marques Brownlee (@MKBHD) April 17, 2019
Between breaks due to the removal of the protective film and other malfunctions, a dozen reports have circulated about problems with the folding screen of the Galaxy Fold, only among the journalists who received it on trial. For Samsung this could be a serious problem, if you consider how much awaited the new smartphone is and if you think that each Galaxy Fold will cost around 2 thousand euros.
Dear future #GalaxyFold owners, I know I always say “No one ever read the instructions”… PLEASE READ THIS ONE !!!
(This is the wrap over the screen of the Galaxy Fold) pic.twitter.com/LuQPRfDZIE
– Des (@askdes) April 17, 2019
After receiving inquiries from interested journalists, Samsung released a statement in which it confirmed its intention to investigate reports of unexpected breakdowns of its Galaxy Folds. The company also confirmed that the protective film on the foldable screen should not be removed and that, for models that go on sale, a clear indication will be shown that it should be left where it is.
Before the problems and unexpected breakdowns, the Galaxy Fold still received positive reviews. Several had reported that when open the screen still shows a slight sign of the point where it bends, but nothing so dramatic compared to the overall rendering of the images and the quality of the product.
