Samsung has finally addressed the whole Gapgate issue that early Galaxy Note 4 owners are experiencing with gaps between the smartphone's display and case. However, it's not quite the response new and future Galaxy Note 4 customers want to hear.
Apple knows all too well how to find itself embroiled in some kind of 'gate' after the launch of a brand new iPhone. The iPhone 4 in 2010 introduced a much-applauded redesign that consisted of using glass on its front and rear and a stainless steel frame surrounding the device. The stainless steel frame also acted as the new iPhone's antenna. When the iPhone 4 was released to the public, there was an issue with the smartphone's cellular signal. Users found that if they held the iPhone 4 in a certain way, it would cause the antenna to lose signal strength due to the way a user was holding it. Antennagate was coined and the issue forced Apple to publicly acknowledge the issue and offer customers free cases that didn't interfere with the cellular signal.
A few days after the release of the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus, there were reports that the larger, 5.5-inch iPhone 6 Plus was prone to bending while in a user's pocket. Videos soon flooded You Tube demonstrating how pliable the iPhone 6 Plus was and Apple soon found itself part of Bendgate.
Apple addressed the issue by stating that it had only received nine complaints from iPhone 6 Plus customers and took journalists on a tour of its testing facility to demonstrate the rigorous testing its products go through.
LG and Samsung decided to capitalize on the issue on social media, which ultimately backfired for both companies. A few days after Samsung launched the Galaxy Note 4 phablet in South Korea, owners began to complain that there were gaps in the smartphone's case and display panel. Images of the smartphone with paper and business cards in the gaps spurred what is now being referred to as Gapgate.
Samsung has publicly acknowledged the Galaxy Note 4 issue, sort of.
"The reported issue does not impact the functionality or quality of the Galaxy Note 4. We assure our customers that all Galaxy Note 4 units meet our strict manufacturing and quality control standards," reads Samsung's statement sent to Trusted Reviews.
Samsung's statement isn't exactly clear on whether the issue affects a small number of early Galaxy Note 4 models, if it has resolved the problem entirely, or if it's a problem at all. With the U.S. launch of the Samsung Galaxy Note 4 fast approaching on Oct. 17, Samsung might want to reconsider how it addresses Gapgate before it turns into an even bigger problem.
