Dear future owners of Galaxy Fold (the foldable phone manufactured by Samsung), there is one thing you need to know before you purchase the new innovation in the smartphone world.
As discovered by Bloomberg‘s Mark Gurman, the screen of the N712,000 smartphone can break without the phone falling to the ground/floor.
This may sound shocking or even unbelievable, but it’s true according to Mark Gurman’s account. He is among the first media reviewers to appraise the product. Only a handful of the Galaxy Fold was delivered to selected media persons for review.
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
How the phone broke without falling: Gurman explained that had removed a plastic protective layer, thinking it was one of those removable layers (film or screensaver) that comes with most smartphones. This action caused a tear at the edge of the Galaxy Fold, and that’s how the problem started.
Nairametrics had earlier written about the introduction of foldable or bendable phones into the smartphone market, with warnings about Samsung phone screen which customers often complain about.
Phone repair shops will often say that “Samsung is a screen seller”. With the latest discovery about Galaxy Fold, it seems the culture continues.
The screen still tears without removing film
According to Gurman, other reviewers such as CNBC‘s Steve Kovach and The Verge‘s Dieter Bohn, didn’t have to remove the film on their phones before they experienced the same screen malfunction caused by the tear on the hinge.
There is a very small tear at the top part of the hinge and after I poked at it, the screen got worse. I thought perhaps it was another removable layer. Tear may have been caused by removing it. But @stevekovach @backlon having similar issues without having removed the film. pic.twitter.com/9WCPmEMpB1
— Mark Gurman (@markgurman) April 17, 2019
Aside from removing the layer, tapping the screen with the tip of your finger could have a long-lasting effect on the screen as Mark Gurman detected while testing the Galaxy Fold.
When I tap the screen as well with the top of my finger and the fingernail hits it (very common), it also leaves a seemingly permanent indent. Samsung is going to send a replacement and I’ll share updates.
— Mark Gurman (@markgurman) April 17, 2019
Now before you criticise the reviewers for not going through phone instruction prior to use, note that no such instruction was provided until a day later through mail. Also, the public wasn’t warned about this during the public presentation of the product.
This wasn’t on the review units – not that I saw. Several other reviewers didn’t have it either. https://t.co/QG9eoiCF1W
— Mark Gurman (@markgurman) April 18, 2019
There was no explicit communication that I recall at the briefing to pick up the device around not removing the film. There was an email about a day later. Naturally, one would unbox and start using a NON-embargoed device immediately, not wait a day for follow up instructions.
— Mark Gurman (@markgurman) April 18, 2019
Samsung response to the latest development
Samsung responded in a desperate bid to douse the situation, vowing to look into the matter. Note that Gurman had quoted Samsung as saying that the layer he removed is a protective layer meant to protect the screen from unintended scratches.
“Separately, a few reviewers reported having removed the top layer of the display causing damage to the screen. 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.” 2
— Mark Gurman (@markgurman) April 18, 2019
“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.” (3/3)
— Mark Gurman (@markgurman) April 18, 2019
Despite this glitch, Samsung still intends to launch the Samsung Galaxy Fold on April 26, 2019.
Samsung says it will stick with its plan to launch the Galaxy Fold on April 26, despite screen failures seen by @markgurman and other journalists https://t.co/6qb7KWpbaL https://t.co/OB57dIkZeZ
— Sam Kim (@samkimasia) April 18, 2019
However the case, it should be noted that the front screen still works despite any damage to the spread-sheet screen.
I want mine ooo, don’t worry about the screen
It will take almost the 3rd generation of it before it become perfect.