update (03/07/2019): samsung has reportedly completed a redesign of its flagship galaxy fold smartphone, which began breaking before it was even released. the new design features a re-engineered phone hinge that has been raised slightly above the screen, allowing the phone’s protective film to be stretched out to join the outer bezels.

samsung's $2,000 foldable phone is breaking after a couple of days say reviewers

image courtesy of samsung

 

 

according to reports from bloomberg, the korean brand is in the ‘final stages’ of fixing the issue, although it is yet to confirm an updated release date for the phone. samsung hopes the re-design will stop make it impossible for the screen to be peeled off by and stop a crease forming in the middle of the screen over time.

 

back in april, shortly after reviewers received their samsung foldable smartphone, they began reporting issues. journalists who received the phones to review before the public launch said the galaxy fold screen started flickering before turning completely black.

 

this wasn’t great news, especially considering the promises samsung have publicly made time and time again and it eventually lead to its launch date being indefinitely delayed. according to previous reports, the screen could withstand being opened and closed 200,000 times, or 100 times a day for five years. samsung even released a video promoting the galaxy fold’s ability to do just that, again, again, and again.

 

 

 

remember bend gate? the 2014 controversy involving the iPhone 6 plus, where consumers alleged that the phone would bend in their pockets. well this is kind of like that, except there is still a chance that samsung could get a handle on it before regular consumers start receiving their own model.

 

 

 

multiple tech reporters took to twitter to raise concerns about the screen on the galaxy fold, posting photos of the screen progressively deteriorating. ‘the screen on my galaxy fold review unit is completely broken and unusable just two days in’, wrote bloomberg’s mark gurman. meanwhile, a video posted by CNBC tech editor steve kovach showed the left-hand side of the screen on the outlet’s review unit malfunctioning ‘after one day of use.’ 

 

 

a samsung spokesperson swiftly said in a statement that the reason why a few reviews have reported faults might be down to the removal of a top layer that is supposed to stay intact. ‘removing the protective layer or adding adhesives to the main display may cause damage,’ the spokesperson said. ‘we will ensure this information is clearly delivered to our customers.’

 

 

 

the galaxy fold was supposed to go on sale april 26 in the US for $1,980, making it one of the most expensive phones anywhere. to find out more about the handset including specs and further release information see our previous coverage.