Not since the exploding Galaxy Note 7 fiasco has Samsung been embroiled in a potentially name-damaging scandal. This time, it's the company's soon-to-be-released Galaxy Fold turn to be in the spotlight.
The "first" of anything is bound to have some problems, it's fair to say. The first iPhone, for starters, was impressive but clunky. Yet at that time it was the most innovative mobile device, the herald of an incoming era. That same role is now being played by the Galaxy Fold, Samsung's first foldable device.
The Galaxy Fold Is Having Display Issues
Early reviews say the device looks and feels like the future. Save for one problem that's now starting to surface. There have been reports of display issues with the Galaxy Fold; the screen on review units appear to be malfunctioning when a topmost protective layer is removed. Some units are reportedly breaking without clear causes.
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 spazzed and blacked out. Started over with a replacement. pic.twitter.com/ZhEG2Bqulr — Marques Brownlee (@MKBHD) April 17, 2019
The screen on my Galaxy Fold review unit is completely broken and unusable just two days in. Hard to know if this is widespread or not. pic.twitter.com/G0OHj3DQHw — Mark Gurman (@markgurman) April 17, 2019
Naturally, panic has swelled given that the problem seems to be affecting a great number of units out in the wild. The device is out April 26, and some have expressed concern if units meant for general consumers will suffer the same woes.
Thankfully, Samsung has spoken up and addressed the issues. As The Verge notes, there are two parts to the story.
First, Samsung says that it intends to "thoroughly inspect [affected review] units in person," including the devices that seemed to have had screens break without an obvious case.
Second, Samsung has addressed the issue of screens breaking because reviewers had attempted to peel off the aforementioned protective layer on top of the display. While it might look like a screen protector, and the natural impulse is to peel it off, Samsung cautions not to.
"The main display on the Galaxy Fold features a top protective layer, which is part of the display structure designed to protect the screen from unintended scratches," Samsung said in a statement. "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."
Galaxy Fold Price And Release Date
Reports of the Galaxy Fold having display problems came out just days after Samsung gave out sample units. Since then, multiple publications and reviewers have reported issues with the device. Samsung says it performs rigorous tests on the Galaxy Fold's display, and promises the screen would outlast 200,000 folds and unfolds.
Of course, in-facility testing is a lot different than real-world usage and is never a guaranteed indicator of how robust a device is. To be fair, though, this is the one of the first products of an entirely new category, and as previously mentioned, it's bound to suffer from a handful of early problems.
That's an unfortunate but crucial part of progress, especially so that future foldable devices could have as few issues as possible. Samsung is said to already be developing a new kind of foldable device that's nothing like the Galaxy Fold, so this is likely not the last time customers will see screens bending here and there moving forward.
The Galaxy Fold comes out April 26. It costs $1,980. This story is developing, so make sure to check back with Tech Times as we gather more information about the display issues.
