Samsung is pushing back the launch of its groundbreaking folding phone after testers reported screens breaking after a day’s use. But our hands-on test showed that beyond one admittedly huge problem is a phone that works surprisingly well.
It was supposed to be the beginning of a new era of smartphones. But just days after the first review units went out to testers, Samsung has indefinitely postponed the launch of its highly anticipated folding phone amid numerous reports of breaking screens.
Originally set for general release in the US and China on April 23 and 24, followed by Europe on May 3, Samsung’s US$2,000 phone has received little but bad PR from testers since screens the phones’ carefully constructed folding screens one by one started to break, just a day after testers got them.
Before it announces a new date, Samsung says it will now improve the screen protection, and pointed to a possible problem with the device’s intricately constructed hinge. Several testers said the screen stopped working after they peeled off what appeared to be a plastic screen protector.
“Initial findings from the inspection of reported issues on the display showed that they could be associated with impact on the top and bottom exposed areas of the hinge,” Samsung said.
And yet despite making a poor impression with a premature release, the Fold demonstrates a genuinely new feature, namely the ability to walk the line between smartphone and tablet, something that may well secure its long-term success.
The Fold’s main attraction is of course the 7.3-inch foldable display, called Infinity Flex. It can be folded out almost entirely to become an tablet, or closed to the size of a smartphone.
The ability to use the device for both purposes opens a lot of new possibilities. And the switch between the two modes is seamless.
For instance, if you are looking up an address on the map on the small display, then a larger map is automatically opened up if you switch to the bigger display.
You can also open up to three app windows at once, letting them appear simultaneously next to each other. This can make things a lot easier, as you no longer have to switch between apps if you need data from one for the other.
The switch between smaller and larger display is also seamless when you do it while playing a game, or while taking a picture.
By the time the Fold hits the general markets, most Android apps are supposed to be able to support this switch between the display modes.
But how durable is the Fold really? During a presentation in London it seemed pretty durable, and according to Samsung you are supposed to be able to fold it open and closed up to 200,000 times.
The bend in the display is hardly visible in everyday use. You can feel it, and if you’re looking at a particularly light background, then you can also see it a little as well. According to Samsung you can also fold it back slightly, but then you would definitely be able to see the bend quite clearly.
What about the inside? There are two battery packs in each part of the device, as it’s not possible to fold those – yet. Then there’s the Qualcomm octacore chip, the 12 GB RAM and the 512 GB internal storage. The Fold can be unlocked with a fingerprint sensor. A later version of the device is supposed to enable 5G.
In terms of photography, the Fold offers six cameras: the main camera is the same trio as in the new Galaxy S10, with one wide angle, one normal and one zoom camera in place. The bigger display has a double camera for selfies and for video calls. The final camera sits on the outer display.
Overall, the phone works well in practice. The switch between modes is intuitive, and the ability to run apps simultaneously is a real plus. And the device is also surprisingly stable – once it’s folded out completely, you can only make it wobble a little if you’re really trying. And the flexible display also has a great quality.
It remains to be seen how the plastic display holds up over time compared to glass, especially in terms of scratches and marks.
But this style of foldable phones won’t be mainstream for a few years at least. This is partly due to the high price — which Samsung also confirms, saying its target audience for now are tech enthusiasts who can afford the latest 8K TVs.
The Galaxy Fold will cost almost US$2,000 — and the competition isn’t looking any cheaper. Huawei’s Mate X is set to also be released this year and will clock in at around US$2,500. – dpa
