Samsung Galaxy Fold's screen begins to die after a day of use for some reviewers

Update: Samsung has responded to the complaints through a statement to Toms Guide saying, “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 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 may cause damage. We will ensure this information is clearly delivered to our customers.” Samsung’s new Galaxy Fold, **a splashy $1,980 phone** that opens into a tablet, is malfunctioning for some journalist reviewers after only a day or two of use, according to posts on social media on Wednesday. The problem seems to be related to the unit’s screen either cracking or flickering, according to Twitter posts by technology journalists from Bloomberg, The Verge and CNBC who received the phone this week for review purposes. Samsung did not respond to several requests for comment. The South Korean company’s Galaxy Fold resembles a conventional smartphone but opens like a book to reveal a second display the size of a small tablet at 7.3-inches (18.5 cm). [caption id=“attachment_6456091” align=“alignnone” width=“1280”] Samsung Galaxy Fold. Image: Samsung[/caption] Although Galaxy Fold and **Huawei's Mate X foldable phones** are not expected to be big sellers, the new designs were hailed as framing the future of smartphones this year in a field that has seen few surprises since Apple Inc introduced the screen slab iPhone in 2007. The problems with the new phone drew comparisons to Samsung’s Galaxy Note 7 phone in 2016. Battery and design flaws in the Note 7 led to some units catching fire or exploding, forcing Samsung to recall and cancel sales of the phone. The recall wiped out nearly all of the profits in Samsung’s mobile division in the third quarter of 2016. Reviewers of the new Galaxy Fold said they did not know what the problem was and Samsung did not provide answers.

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

Bloomberg reporter Mark Gurman tweeted: “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.” According to Gurman’s tweets, he removed a plastic layer on the screen that was not meant to be removed and the phone malfunctioned afterwards.

More from News & Analysis

What is the US HIRE Bill and why is India’s $250-billion IT sector worried? Is the internet dead? What's this theory that OpenAI's Sam Altman says might be true?

Dieter Bohn, executive editor of The Verge, said that a “small bulge” appeared on the crease of the phone screen, which appeared to be something pressing from underneath the screen. Bohn said Samsung replaced his test phone but did not offer a reason for the problem. “It is very troubling,” Bohn told Reuters, adding that he did not remove the plastic screen cover.

Steve Kovach, tech editor at CNBC.com also tweeted a video of half of his phone’s screen flickering after using it for just a day. Samsung has, however, stated that the company does not intend to change plans due to the complaints.  The Galaxy Fold officially goes on sale on 26 April in the United States. With inputs from Reuters