Bulging hinges. Cracked screens. Displays flashing on and off.
From CNBC’s Todd Haselton: Samsung’s $2,000 folding phone is breaking for some users after two days:
Samsung’s $1,980 Galaxy Fold phone is breaking for some users after a day or two of use. A review unit given to CNBC by Samsung is also completely unusable after just two days of use.
The phone has only been given to gadget reviewers, but some of the screens appear to be disconnecting and permanently flashing on or off.
The Verge’s Dieter Bohn posted earlier on Wednesday that his phone appears to have a defective hinge with a “small bulge” that he can feel that’s causing the screen to “slightly distort.” Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman says his “review unit is completely broken just two days in,” but noted he accidentally removed a protective film on the screen.
Samsung started taking pre-orders for the Galaxy Fold last weekend.
Cue the video:
My take: OMG. Imagine if this had been an Apple device!
See also: Goldman Sachs: Samsung’s Galaxy Fold has 2-year lead over Apple (video)
Behold – “Fold-gate! “
This has to be the ‘gate to beat them all. Oh my oh my. The German’s have a word for how most iPhone owners will be feeling now considering the bashing the Samsung payola machine funds in the media whenever there’s the the tiniest of flaws in a new iPhone: Schadenfreude.
Karma is a bitch.
Of course it is failing. What a dumb idea anyway. I sure hope Apple is not chasing Samsung’s tail on this. Engineering nightmare with no user benefit at all. Samsung is much better at stealing innovation rather than try to innovate on its own.
What is the use case?
One can buy expensive really superior tablets for less than $2K; or buy really cheap tablets. Most potential buyers probably have a tablet anyway. While Tablets don’t fold, a folding tablet sized screen seems pretty awkward to use.
Even if the current mechanical problems get fixed, such a device is inherently more vulnerable when it gets dropped.
Who will optimize software for this form factor?
My, my, my! You know, the Samsung’s Galaxy Fold shouted to me:
“… I’m really an ostentatious device.”
“… If you want me I’m really expensive!”
“… Bet you could afford me?”
Little doubt that those folk who rushed to buy the new device possess mindsets that the one who dies with the most toys wins.
Throughout my vocational career I always noticed that people usually exaggerate the importance of their own work. Something tells me today that it may be difficult to find a Samsung engineer who is willing to discuss his or her work.
Apple did right by pulling its AirPower wireless charging pad. Then, as John Gruber says, “… Hardware is difficult!”
Samsung will get it right and come back strong. Apple needs Samsung. Samsung is a good competitor that brings out the best in Apple.
In the interim, my take is the same as PED’s: “… Imagine if this had been an Apple device.”
No. I can’t imagine if this had been an Apple device because Apple wouldn’t release a device that works for only two days at a cost of $2,000.
I’m surprised units were shipped to reviewers and pre-orders are being taken on a device that appears to be in a late development stage but not ready for commercial release.
Samsung, once again, made fools of all the pundits who heralded the “innovation” and how Apple has lost that race.
Hey pundits, you have no credibility.
Stupidest product. It’s solves nothing. Horrible phone. Horrible tablet. Y’all seen the front screen ? Looks like a Game Boy. Seriously.
Hey now, nothing wrong with Game Boy. It too owned its market, and didn’t fall apart on day two.
Love the Game Boy
Looking forward to the 2021 launch of Samsung’s Next BlockBuster:
Samsung Galaxy Origami – Rubik’s Edition