The Verge said its unit
developed “a bulge that appeared to be the result of something in between the
screen and the hinge.”
Some problems were caused when
testers removed what appeared to be a protective film on the screen, that was
in fact not meant to be removed, though Samsung didn’t do a good enough
job of communicating this point in its packaging.
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
My colleague Eli
Blumenthal and I reviewed the device – did not
remove the film on our evaluation unit and, at least so far, have not
encountered the issues some others have reported. We're still in the process of
testing the device.
The Fold is meant
to be opened and closed much like an old flip phone (except you open and close
it sideways) with the internal 7.3-inch display bending without any
damage, at least when working properly.
Samsung went to
great lengths to explain the dual-axis hinge mechanism and flexible
polymer display that makes this possible.
Depending on the
angle you are viewing the internal display or what's on the screen, a divider
line on the display is visible, though like the notch on the iPhone we suspect
those who buy the device will quickly get used to it.
A Samsung spokesperson issued the
following statement: "A limited number of early Galaxy Fold samples
were provided to 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.”
“Separately, a few reviewers reported
having removed the top layer of the display causing damage to the screen,"
the statement continued. "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. 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.”
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.pic.twitter.com/ZhEG2Bqulr
Our unit, a European model, did not display any labeling
that the layer should not be removed. Desmond Smith, T-Mobile's director of
creative content, shared an image of the protective wrapping on Twitter
that suggests Samsung will include text telling U.S. users not to remove the
film.
Given the
stratospheric price tag, Samsung would always have had a tall challenge selling
the Fold, as it would appeal mostly to affluent early adopters. Getting
buyers into the fold now will be that much more difficult.
"Many
enthusiasts who will buy the Fold at $2,000 are adventuresome and know buying
the first of anything is a risk as well as an opportunity for big bragging
rights," says industry analyst Patrick Moorhead of Moor Insights &
Strategy. As long as consumers don't experience the same issues that a few
reviewers did, Moorhead expects the problems will blow over.
But Techsponential
lead analyst Avi Greengart calls this "a PR nightmare of the first
order" and says Samsung’s brand is certainly "taking a
beating."
"Samsung also
has a history here that cannot be ignored," Greengart says. "The
Note 7 literally went up in flames, and Samsung’s response to that disaster was
compounded by an initial unwillingness to admit that there was a widespread
problem and then a fix that had problems of its own."
Greengart
adds that the Fold problem is not at the same level as the Note 7
disaster, which posed a very real danger to the public because of the exploding
batteries. But the Galaxy Fold is important for Samsung to establish a new
product category.
The Galaxy Note 7
fiasco cost Samsung billions of dollars and enormous embarrassment. The
company can only hope that since this newest device has only been in
the hands of select reviewers so far, that it can correct the problem before it
unfolds into a much bigger mess.
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