The world’s first foldable smartphone has suffered a serious setback. Samsung has postponed the intended release in the wake of serious technical flaws that were revealed in the Galaxy Fold after early examples were handed out to reviewers.
The flurry of negative press surrounding the handset was so significant for a number of reasons, not just because it raises doubts about the viability of foldable phone tech, but also because it suggests that Samsung was cutting corners to race to market with something that is simply not ready for the limelight quite yet.
This news once again raises the importance of gadget insurance for all mobile owners, especially early adopters who want to get on board with the latest trends. Cheap phone insurance can protect against unexpected flaws which manufacturers may not be willing to admit are down to their own errors, saving you the pain of paying for expensive repairs.
Flexible faults
The problems with the Galaxy Fold were surprisingly varied, with more than one point of failure being identified in the week following its release to media outlets and online influencers.
The first issue arose with the screen protector, a pre-installed layer of plastic which sat on top of the display and appeared to many of those who got their hands on it during the preview to be a temporary addition. This led to attempts to peel it which, in turn, caused the screen to bug out and stop working in many cases.
Samsung subsequently confirmed that this protector was non-removable, with some network partners announcing that they would be adding extra warnings to release packages to prevent further similar incidents.
If an end user, rather than a professional reviewer, had damaged their phone by pulling back this protector, it is likely that they would have had to cover the expense of having it fixed. Thankfully the best gadget insurance will always include cover for this type of accident, which is why it is so important with current technology.
Display dilemmas
In addition to the screen protector issue, the other complication associated with the Galaxy Fold’s design was that of its flexible display panel itself. Over a few days of use, a notable crease developed down the centre and in some cases, portions of the screen stopped functioning correctly altogether, leading to some devices becoming completely unusable.
Coupled with the inclusion of incredibly strong magnets to keep the screen closed when not in use, which could pick up coins, keys and other metallic objects in the pockets of owners, it quickly became apparent that the main selling point of the Galaxy Fold was also associated with the majority of its greatest weaknesses.
Samsung’s decision to delay the release could give rivals such as Huawei the chance to release their own foldable phones first, but with the Galaxy Fold’s problems laid bare for all to see, consumers will undoubtedly be expecting similar setbacks elsewhere as this technology goes through inevitable growing pains.