While Samsung recently said that its Galaxy Fold smartphone can survive 200,000 folds and unfolds (or around five years of use, if used 100 times a day), multiple reports have been shared online by the US media claiming that the screen of smartphone has broken in early testing.
Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, CNBC’s Steve Kovach, The Verge’s Dieter Bohn and popular YouTube tech reviewer Marques Brownlee took to Twitter sharing photos the display issues encountered by them within couple of days of use.
‘A few Galaxy Fold samples were provided to the US media for review. We have received a few reports regarding the main display on the samples provided. We will thoroughly inspect these units in person to determine the cause of the matter,’ Samsung said in a statement.
At the launch, the Galaxy Fold opened smoothly and naturally, like a book. To achieve this, engineers created a sophisticated hinge with multiple interlocking gears. This system is housed in a hidden enclosure for a seamless and elegant look.
But for Bohn, this was not the case. Images shared by him show a bulge where the display of Galaxy Fold creases.
‘It looks like something is pressing up against the screen at the hinge, right there in the crease. My best guess is that it’s a piece of debris, something harder than lint for sure. It’s possible that it’s something else, though, like the hinge itself on a defective unit pressing up on the screen,’ added Bohn.
My Galaxy Fold review unit display blacked out, in parts, after I had removed the protective layer on the display, said Brownlee.
However, according to Samsung, the protective layer should not be removed.
‘The Galaxy Fold’s primary display features a top protective layer, which is part of the display structure designed to protect the screen from unintended scratches. Removing the protective layer or adding adhesives to the main display may cause damage. We will ensure this information is clearly delivered to our customers,’ Samsung said in a reply.
According to the reviewers, it comes as a shock that Samsung didn’t clearly stated that the protective layer, the company is calling, isn’t a screen protector and is not to be removed.