Some reviewers say their $2,000 Samsung Galaxy Fold foldable smartphones are breaking after just two days of use
- Four reviewers of Samsung's Galaxy Fold foldable smartphone are complaining that the phone's display has broken after just two days of use.
- The issue seems related to taking off a plastic film cover from the Galaxy Fold's display that's not designed to be removed - but at least one reviewer said his Galaxy Fold's display still broke even after keeping the film on the display.
- Another reviewer said a bulge developed under their Galaxy Fold's display, eventually breaking it. This issue doesn't appear related to the plastic film on the Galaxy Fold's display.
- Business Insider's Galaxy Fold review unit has not exhibited any issues so far. We have kept the plastic film on the display.
Four reviewers of Samsung's forthcoming foldable smartphone - the Galaxy Fold - have reported that the displays have broken after just two days of use.
The company claimed the Galaxy Fold's display was durable enough for 200,000 folds and unfolds, but some units are barely lasting a couple days.
Bloomberg's Mark Gurman tweeted that the display on his Galaxy Fold broke after two days of use:
Gurman later tweeted that he removed a plastic film display cover from the Galaxy Fold's display, which Samsung said not to remove. Gurman apparently didn't know that the film wasn't meant to be removed. Tech YouTuber Marques Brownlee also said he removed the plastic film without knowing it was meant to stay on, and his Galaxy Fold review unit also "spazzed," Brownlee tweeted to Gurman.
It seems that Samsung's warnings about removing the plastic film weren't clear enough. Brownlee suggested on Twitter that the company be more clear when people who pre-ordered the Galaxy Fold receive their devices.
It appeared at first that the issue was related to removing the plastic film that Samsung instructed not to remove. However, CNBC's Steve Kovach tweeted a video on Wednesday of the outlet's review unit's display flickering on the left half of the display, and he said the plastic film wasn't removed.
Then, The Verge reported that a bulge developed under the Galaxy Fold's display and eventually broke it, which doesn't appear related to the display or plastic film issues tweeted by reviewers above.
Business Insider's Galaxy Fold review unit hasn't experienced any issues so far. We haven't removed the plastic film from the Galaxy Fold's display.
Samsung doesn't have a repair program in place for the Galaxy Fold as of yet, which is something we were concerned about when the device was originally announced. Samsung has a Galaxy Repair Service, but it doesn't include the Galaxy Fold.
Business Insider has contacted Samsung for comment on the issue, and asked about repair programs for the Galaxy Fold when pre-orders are expected to arrive on April 26. The company did not immediately reply.