Galaxy Fold | KitGuru https://www.kitguru.net KitGuru.net - Tech News | Hardware News | Hardware Reviews | IOS | Mobile | Gaming | Graphics Cards Wed, 15 Jul 2020 07:23:39 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.4.3 https://www.kitguru.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/cropped-KITGURU-Light-Background-SQUARE2-32x32.png Galaxy Fold | KitGuru https://www.kitguru.net 32 32 Samsung Galaxy Fold 2 said to be delayed, won’t be at Unpacked next month https://www.kitguru.net/lifestyle/mobile/matthew-wilson/samsung-galaxy-fold-2-said-to-be-delayed-wont-be-at-unpacked-next-month/ https://www.kitguru.net/lifestyle/mobile/matthew-wilson/samsung-galaxy-fold-2-said-to-be-delayed-wont-be-at-unpacked-next-month/#respond Tue, 14 Jul 2020 16:53:00 +0000 https://www.kitguru.net/?p=476926 While the original Galaxy Fold faced a myriad of issues in its original form, Samsung eventually managed to patch things up and has since been hard at work on a follow-up device. Unfortunately, we won't be seeing the new and improved Galaxy Fold 2 for quite some time if recent reports are to be believed.  …

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While the original Galaxy Fold faced a myriad of issues in its original form, Samsung eventually managed to patch things up and has since been hard at work on a follow-up device. Unfortunately, we won't be seeing the new and improved Galaxy Fold 2 for quite some time if recent reports are to be believed. 

Max Weinbach has leaked plenty of details around Samsung launches over the years. Since, Samsung announced an Unpacked press conference for August, he spoke out on the rumours about the Galaxy Fold 2 making its debut at this event:

In followup tweets, Weinbach notes that this is “no surprise” as the “software isn't even close to ready” and speculates that the phone has had a substantial delay. Samsung also needs to line up launch partnerships with carriers, testing procedures, decide on a price and finalise software, making an August launch more questionable.

However, Samsung has reportedly begun user testing for the Galaxy Note 20 and the Galaxy Z Flip 5G, so those are likely to appear at the event on August 5th.

Discuss on our Facebook page, HERE.

KitGuru Says: Samsung needs to bring some substantial improvements with the Galaxy Fold 2, particularly after the issues the original faced. With that in mind, it makes perfect sense for the phone to be pushed back a number of months while things get perfected. 

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Samsung announce the Galaxy Z Flip foldable smartphone https://www.kitguru.net/lifestyle/mobile/james-dawson/samsung-announce-the-galaxy-z-flip-foldable-smartphone/ https://www.kitguru.net/lifestyle/mobile/james-dawson/samsung-announce-the-galaxy-z-flip-foldable-smartphone/#respond Wed, 12 Feb 2020 10:17:40 +0000 https://www.kitguru.net/?p=451424 While most of the attention at the Samsung Unpacked event yesterday was focused on the reveal of the new Galaxy S20 line up, Samsung had another innovative smartphone in the form of a new foldable that it was pleased to show off. Samsung is keen to avenge its shortcomings in its previous foldable smartphone, the Galaxy …

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While most of the attention at the Samsung Unpacked event yesterday was focused on the reveal of the new Galaxy S20 line up, Samsung had another innovative smartphone in the form of a new foldable that it was pleased to show off.

Samsung is keen to avenge its shortcomings in its previous foldable smartphone, the Galaxy Fold which suffered a few setbacks when it was launched last year. On the initial launch of the Samsung Galaxy Fold, tech reviewers found some serious defects with the screen hinge and folding mechanism which meant that the display would be rendered useless after just a few hours of using the handset. Samsung made some adjustments to the design and re-launched the Fold a few months later with more success.

The latest foldable from Samsung is a different concept to the Galaxy Fold, the Galaxy Z Flip features the first-of-its-kind foldable glass display. Unlike the Galaxy Fold which opened up like a book to give a more tablet-style screen space, the Galaxy Z Flip is a clamshell-style foldable that folds open to present a more traditional smartphone form factor and screen real estate.

When folded closed, the Galaxy Z Flip is small enough to fit in the palm of your hand, about the size of a wallet and can display notifications on the cover display. Once opened, the Galaxy Z Flip reveals a stunning 6.7-inch display that can be used in a free-standing mode. The clever hideaway hinge and Infinity Flex Display, with Samsung’s bendable Ultra Thin Glass, allows the screen to be half-open, where it offers a split-screen display for viewing content on the top half with controls on the bottom.

In terms of specification, the Galaxy Z Flip is equipped with a 6.7” FHD+ 2636 x 1080 Dynamic AMOLED Infinity Flex main display with a 1.1” 300 x 112 Super AMOLED cover display. The Galaxy Z Flip features 12MP dual rear Wide-angle and Ultra-wide cameras with a 10MP front-facing Selfie camera. Powering the Z Flip is a 7nm 64-bit Octa-Core processor with a maximum frequency of 2.95GHz, 8GB of RAM, 256GB internal storage and a 3,300mhA dual battery. When folded, the Galaxy Z Flip measures 73.6 x 87.4 x 17.3mm. Unfolded it’s 73.6 x 167.3 x 7.2mm (6.9mm thick) and weighs in at 183g.

The Galaxy Z Flip will be available initially in selected markets including the U.S and Korea, with a choice of Mirror Purple and Mirror Black colour options on 14th February 2020. An additional Mirror Gold version will be available when the handset launches in a selection of other counties later. Samsung UK is showing the device on its website priced at £1,300, however, it is listed as out of stock right now with an option to get stock alerts sent to your email.

Discuss on our Facebook page HERE.

KitGuru says: It will be interesting to see how this new foldable glass screen compares with the one in the original Samsung Galaxy Fold and how durable it will be. Any of you guys interested in this clamshell-style foldable handset from Samsung?

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Samsung Galaxy Fold 2 reportedly launching at MWC with lower price tag https://www.kitguru.net/lifestyle/mobile/matthew-wilson/samsung-galaxy-fold-2-reportedly-launching-at-mwc-with-lower-price-tag/ https://www.kitguru.net/lifestyle/mobile/matthew-wilson/samsung-galaxy-fold-2-reportedly-launching-at-mwc-with-lower-price-tag/#respond Thu, 05 Dec 2019 17:18:07 +0000 https://www.kitguru.net/?p=440229 Samsung faced a number of issues bringing its first foldable smartphone to market this year but eventually, the Galaxy Fold did make its way out into the world fully working. Rumour has it that next year, we'll be seeing a new and improved Galaxy Fold 2, potentially with a much lower price tag too.  According …

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Samsung faced a number of issues bringing its first foldable smartphone to market this year but eventually, the Galaxy Fold did make its way out into the world fully working. Rumour has it that next year, we'll be seeing a new and improved Galaxy Fold 2, potentially with a much lower price tag too. 

According to sources speaking with the Korean Herald, Samsung will debut its second-generation foldable smartphone at Mobile World Congress in February 2020, with an estimated price tag of one million Korean Won, which is over 50% lower than the original Galaxy Fold. In the US, the original Galaxy Fold price translated to $2,000 USD or £1,900 GBP.

If the Galaxy Fold 2 does end up shipping at the lower estimated price, then we should see it sell for less than £900 in the UK. A direct currency conversion puts 1,000,000 KRW at £640 but once you take into account VAT, shipping etc, the final retail price would end up being higher.

At that sort of a price tag, the Galaxy Fold 2 would be in a very competitive position against the likes of Motorola, which has brought back the Razr as a £1,350 foldable smartphone.

Discuss on our Facebook page HERE.

KitGuru Says: I didn't think we would start hearing about a new Galaxy Fold so soon but here we are. If there is truth to this, then we should expect more leaks in the build up to MWC 2020. 

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Samsung Galaxy Fold torture test falls short of the company’s promise https://www.kitguru.net/lifestyle/mobile/james-dawson/samsung-galaxy-fold-torture-test-falls-short-of-the-companies-promise/ https://www.kitguru.net/lifestyle/mobile/james-dawson/samsung-galaxy-fold-torture-test-falls-short-of-the-companies-promise/#respond Mon, 07 Oct 2019 08:38:45 +0000 https://www.kitguru.net/?p=428786 When the Samsung Galaxy Fold initially launched earlier this year, it had a few problems. Samsung has since ironed out those problems and the device is ready to be launched again. But can it hold up in a folding torture test? This time around Samsung were upbeat about the improvements made over the initial version …

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When the Samsung Galaxy Fold initially launched earlier this year, it had a few problems. Samsung has since ironed out those problems and the device is ready to be launched again. But can it hold up in a folding torture test?

This time around Samsung were upbeat about the improvements made over the initial version of the folding smartphone, especially the durability of the display.  “Naturally, given the smartphone’s design, a Folding Test was a pivotal part of the Galaxy Fold’s durability assessment,” the company said back in March. Unsurprisingly some were sceptical about durability and questioned what would happen to the display in the real world.

Well the guys over at CNET have answered that question for us, by putting the phone through a folding torture test on their machine. Samsung say the Fold should be good for at least 200,000 folds, after their own internal testing. However, in the CNET test, the device only lasted a little over half of that before the screen broke down.

It has to be said, over 100,000 folds would mean the Galaxy Fold's display will not just die after a few days like the original review samples did earlier in the year. Based on estimated averages of how often people look at their phones, over 100,000 folds would mean the Galaxy Fold's display should last several years before failure. However, this isn’t ideal, as it means the Fold’s lifespan would be significantly less than a regular smartphone.

If you look at the footage from the Samsung internal testing, it may have been more forgiving to the device than the CNET test. After 119,380 on the CNET machine, it was almost the end with the hinge losing its snappy feel, and more importantly half of the display failed. Around a thousand folds on the rig later, the device stopped working completely.

Overall it took around 14 hours and 120,169 folds for the $2000 device to be completely dead. Given the average lifetime of a smartphone is around 2-3 years, it is possible 120,000 folds would be good enough for most people. Samsung has offered to run a screen replacement deal in the U.S which allows a single out-of-warranty repair of the OLED display at a reduced cost. However, that is only valid for the first year of purchase and assuming you buy the phone before the end of 2019.

Samsung has yet to comment on the findings of the CNET torture test but we will be sure to update you guys of any developments, as and when they come to light.

KitGuru says: it would be interesting to learn from our readers how long you usually keep a smartphone for. Would the Galaxy Fold's expected screen lifespan after the CNET test be long enough to satisfy your needs?

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Samsung Galaxy Fold returns with design improvements but a new issue has popped up https://www.kitguru.net/lifestyle/mobile/matthew-wilson/samsung-galaxy-fold-returns-with-design-improvements-but-a-new-issue-has-popped-up/ https://www.kitguru.net/lifestyle/mobile/matthew-wilson/samsung-galaxy-fold-returns-with-design-improvements-but-a-new-issue-has-popped-up/#respond Sat, 28 Sep 2019 11:15:38 +0000 https://www.kitguru.net/?p=427742 Samsung has already been through a lot this year with the Galaxy Fold. The company's first foldable smartphone has been in the works for years now and was finally set to release earlier this year, until reviewers started to encounter design issues causing the displays to break. Samsung brought the Fold back behind closed doors …

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Samsung has already been through a lot this year with the Galaxy Fold. The company's first foldable smartphone has been in the works for years now and was finally set to release earlier this year, until reviewers started to encounter design issues causing the displays to break. Samsung brought the Fold back behind closed doors to create some additional design protections but with the new and improved devices now rolling out, some new issues seem to be popping up instead.

The Samsung Galaxy Fold redesign now has additional caps over the hinge so that dust and other small pieces of dirt can't get behind the display. The protective layer on the screen is also tucked under the bezel now, so users won't accidentally try peeling it off. For some reviewers, these changes were good enough and solved the previous issues. However, in TechCrunch's case, a new issue came to light, as a small cluster of pixels died right where the phone folds.

Samsung does say that ‘excessive pressure' should be avoided when handling the Galaxy Fold. However, in this case, the pixels seem to have given up just from folding the phone, which obviously shouldn't happen.

Samsung is already investigating this issue and hopefully, it won't be a widespread one. After all, the Galaxy Fold is now available to buy for almost £2,000 and consumers won't be pleased if their displays are malfunctioning just by using the phone's main feature.

KitGuru Says: So far, this appears to have only happened to one reviewer but consumers are also starting to get their hands on the Galaxy Fold, so there will be a much wider sample-size soon. This could just be a simple case of one faulty display slipping through the cracks. 

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Samsung addresses Galaxy Fold issues and plans new launch in September https://www.kitguru.net/lifestyle/mobile/matthew-wilson/samsung-addresses-galaxy-fold-issues-and-plans-new-launch-in-september/ https://www.kitguru.net/lifestyle/mobile/matthew-wilson/samsung-addresses-galaxy-fold-issues-and-plans-new-launch-in-september/#respond Thu, 25 Jul 2019 09:00:45 +0000 https://www.kitguru.net/?p=419437 It has been a long road for Samsung bringing its first foldable smartphone to market. We first saw proof of concept displays in 2014 and there have been consistent rumours surrounding a foldable phone/tablet each year since. A few months ago, Samsung officially put those rumours to bed with the announcement of the Galaxy Fold …

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It has been a long road for Samsung bringing its first foldable smartphone to market. We first saw proof of concept displays in 2014 and there have been consistent rumours surrounding a foldable phone/tablet each year since. A few months ago, Samsung officially put those rumours to bed with the announcement of the Galaxy Fold but unforeseen design issues have kept the phone off of shelves. Now, it looks like Samsung has finally corrected things and has announced a new launch date.

In an announcement made today, Samsung confirmed that it has made changes to the Galaxy Fold and will be ready to begin shipping it in September. Samsung has also detailed the design and construction changes made to reinforce the phone and avoid failure issues.

“Samsung has taken the time to fully evaluate the product design, make necessary improvements and run rigorous tests to validate the changes we made”. These changes include a top protective layer to the display that now extends beyond the bezel, so it looks less like an optional/removable screen protector.

The Galaxy Fold also has some protection caps and stronger hinges to ensure particles can't slip into the phone and corrupt the display. Extra metal layers have been added underneath the display too to bolster protection. Finally, the space between the hinge and the body of the Galaxy Fold has also been reduced.

Final product tests are now underway and the plan is to have the Galaxy Fold available ‘in select markets' starting from September. More details on this will be coming in a few weeks time as we get closer to launch.

KitGuru Says: It looks like Samsung has managed to get everything sorted. It is also refreshing to see a smartphone company being so open about design flaws and various changes made to address the problem. Hopefully the second launch attempt will go much better. 

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Samsung CEO says he pushed Galaxy Fold to market before it was ready https://www.kitguru.net/lifestyle/mobile/matthew-wilson/samsung-ceo-says-he-pushed-galaxy-fold-to-market-before-it-was-ready/ https://www.kitguru.net/lifestyle/mobile/matthew-wilson/samsung-ceo-says-he-pushed-galaxy-fold-to-market-before-it-was-ready/#respond Tue, 02 Jul 2019 09:30:58 +0000 https://www.kitguru.net/?p=417072 The Samsung Galaxy Fold has been missing in action since April, after early review units showed signs of display failure issues. Since then, there have been reports that Samsung has tweaked the design to mitigate these issues and has begun manufacturing new models but a new release date has yet to be confirmed. Now, Samsung …

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The Samsung Galaxy Fold has been missing in action since April, after early review units showed signs of display failure issues. Since then, there have been reports that Samsung has tweaked the design to mitigate these issues and has begun manufacturing new models but a new release date has yet to be confirmed. Now, Samsung CEO, DJ Koh, is taking responsibility for the screw up.

According to The Independent, during a recent interview with a group of journalists, Koh confirmed that he pushed the Galaxy Fold to market “before it was ready” leading to the indefinite delay. He also confirmed that Samsung has “defined all of the issues and all of the problems”, lending confirmation to recent reports that fixes have been in the works.

Currently, there are around 2000 Galaxy Fold devices undergoing testing to ensure other issues don't creep up out of the blue. Perhaps by the time the Galaxy Note 10's launch event rolls around, the Galaxy Fold will also be ready for a return to market.

KitGuru Says: While the Galaxy Fold situation isn't nearly on the same level as what Samsung suffered with the Note 7, it is a blemish on the company's record that could and should have been avoided. Hopefully the Galaxy Fold appears again in August, free of the early issues. 

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Samsung Galaxy Fold has ‘most problems’ ironed out https://www.kitguru.net/lifestyle/mobile/matthew-wilson/samsung-galaxy-fold-has-most-problems-ironed-out/ https://www.kitguru.net/lifestyle/mobile/matthew-wilson/samsung-galaxy-fold-has-most-problems-ironed-out/#respond Thu, 20 Jun 2019 15:00:48 +0000 https://www.kitguru.net/?p=416061 Earlier this week, Samsung took quick action to stamp out rumours that the Galaxy Fold would be returning to market before the end of June of in July. While Samsung is still being coy about the new launch date of its foldable smartphone, other execs at the company say that it is indeed ready for …

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Earlier this week, Samsung took quick action to stamp out rumours that the Galaxy Fold would be returning to market before the end of June of in July. While Samsung is still being coy about the new launch date of its foldable smartphone, other execs at the company say that it is indeed ready for market.

At a conference this week, The Investor quotes Samsung Display VP, Kim-Seong-Cheol, as saying that “most of the display problems have been ironed out” and that the Galaxy Fold is “ready to hit the market”. This sits in line with earlier reports, which claimed that Samsung has taken steps to mitigate the display failure issues that reviewers discovered on early first-batch units.

So, the Galaxy Fold is apparently ready and fixed but we still don’t have an official launch date. However, we do know that Samsung plans to launch the Galaxy Note 10 in the first week of August at a big event in New York City. With that in mind, Samsung may opt to re-launch the Galaxy Fold there, instead of spending extra money on a separate event to re-introduce the phone and hand out media samples.

As these reports start to pile up, it is only a matter of time until Samsung addresses the Galaxy Fold’s new release date, which has been indefinitely held back since April.

KitGuru Says: We keep hearing that the Galaxy Fold has been fixed and is ready but there has been no official word on the new release date, which has us wondering what the hold-up is. Perhaps Samsung is just taking extra time to really stress test the new design before putting it back out into the world. Either way, we should get more news in the weeks to come as we approach the Galaxy Note 10’s August launch event.

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Samsung Galaxy Fold might not re-appear until after the Galaxy Note 10 https://www.kitguru.net/lifestyle/mobile/andrzej/samsung-galaxy-fold-might-not-re-appear-until-after-the-galaxy-note-10/ https://www.kitguru.net/lifestyle/mobile/andrzej/samsung-galaxy-fold-might-not-re-appear-until-after-the-galaxy-note-10/#respond Mon, 17 Jun 2019 10:10:27 +0000 https://www.kitguru.net/?p=415813 After five years of rumours surrounding Samsung's foldable smartphone experiments, this year the Galaxy Fold was officially announced. The initial launch should have happened already but reviewers swiftly began experiencing display failures, forcing Samsung to push back its release. Things have been quiet since then, but Samsung has apparently found a fix and is gearing …

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After five years of rumours surrounding Samsung's foldable smartphone experiments, this year the Galaxy Fold was officially announced. The initial launch should have happened already but reviewers swiftly began experiencing display failures, forcing Samsung to push back its release. Things have been quiet since then, but Samsung has apparently found a fix and is gearing up for round two, but it will be coming later than planned, potentially even after the Galaxy Note 10.

Back in May, a report citing sources within Samsung claimed that the company has found a fix for the Galaxy Fold's display issues and is already testing design revisions in South Korea. Since then, there have been rumours of a July release date but according a Samsung spokesperson speaking with The Korea Herald, that won't be the case.

Back in May, Samsung CEO, DJ Koh, was quoted as saying that Samsung has “reviewed the defect caused from substances entering the device” and will have new launch plans in place soon. This led to rumours of a July launch but a Samsung spokesperson has said that “nothing has progressed since the April delay”.

There were two main issues with the Galaxy Fold. Firstly, the phone ships with protective laminate that looks very similar to the standard screen protector all phones ship with. This laminate is not supposed to be removed and doing so leaves the screen at risk of damage. To get around this, the edges of the laminate are now tucked in to the phone to discourage removal attempts.

The second major issue was screen failure. There are small gaps in the hinge in the Galaxy Fold and if something slips through there, like dust, or a liquid, then it can get stuck behind the display and cause issues. To get around this, Samsung is apparently making these holes smaller to decrease risk.

Back in May, Samsung did begin informing Galaxy Fold pre-order customers that their reservation may be cancelled due to the delay unless they opted in to keep it. Currently, a new release date has yet to be announced by Samsung but it is looking increasingly likely that it won't arrive before the Galaxy Note 10 launch in August.

KitGuru Says: The Galaxy Fold is an expensive phone that Samsung put years and years worth of R&D into creating. It is a shame that the launch has been hampered like this but hopefully we'll get some status updates from Samsung soon, especially as we are getting closer to the Galaxy Note 10 launch. 

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Samsung will begin cancelling Galaxy Fold pre-orders https://www.kitguru.net/channel/generaltech/matthew-wilson/samsung-will-begin-cancelling-galaxy-fold-pre-orders/ https://www.kitguru.net/channel/generaltech/matthew-wilson/samsung-will-begin-cancelling-galaxy-fold-pre-orders/#respond Tue, 07 May 2019 15:07:02 +0000 https://www.kitguru.net/?p=412480 Just a couple of weeks ago, the Samsung was taking in pre-orders for the Galaxy Fold with plans to ship the device this month. Unfortunately, those with review units swiftly discovered that their displays were breaking, forcing Samsung to delay the launch indefinitely while problems were investigated. Now, Samsung has announced plans to automatically cancel …

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Just a couple of weeks ago, the Samsung was taking in pre-orders for the Galaxy Fold with plans to ship the device this month. Unfortunately, those with review units swiftly discovered that their displays were breaking, forcing Samsung to delay the launch indefinitely while problems were investigated. Now, Samsung has announced plans to automatically cancel pre-orders unless customers confirm that they still want the phone.

In an email sent out to customers, Samsung reminded pre-orderers of the issues facing the Galaxy Fold before confirming that there is no new release date to announce at this time. The email then goes on to let customers know that their pre-order may be automatically cancelled after the 31st of May if the device still isn't ready- which is a very likely outcome at this point in time.

Here's a direct quote from the email: “We are making progress in enhancing the Galaxy Fold to make sure it measures up to the high standards we know you expect from us. This means that we cannot confirm the anticipated ship date yet. We'll update you with more specific shipping information in the coming weeks”.

The email then goes on to say: “As a reminder, your pre-order guarantees your place in the queue for this innovative technology. If we do not hear from you and we have not shipped by May 31st your order will be cancelled automatically”.  The email then gives customers a chance to confirm that they would like to keep their pre-order.

KitGuru Says: Due to the length of the delay, Samsung is required to go through this re-confirmation process with pre-order customers due to consumer protection laws in some countries. It seems like a smart move, as this delay could last months and those who pre-order aren't charged until the device ships. Nobody wants to have $2,000 disappear from their bank account due to a forgotten pre-order. 

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Samsung gets the scathing Galaxy Fold teardown removed https://www.kitguru.net/channel/generaltech/damien-cox/samsung-gets-the-scathing-galaxy-fold-teardown-removed/ https://www.kitguru.net/channel/generaltech/damien-cox/samsung-gets-the-scathing-galaxy-fold-teardown-removed/#respond Fri, 26 Apr 2019 11:40:05 +0000 https://www.kitguru.net/?p=411593 Shortly after Samsung announced the delay of its Galaxy Fold handset in light of display issues, teardown experts at iFixit explained that the problems might be a result of the design itself. Samsung is understandably unhappy with its faults being put on public display while it’s trying to fix the complications, successfully requesting a retraction …

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Shortly after Samsung announced the delay of its Galaxy Fold handset in light of display issues, teardown experts at iFixit explained that the problems might be a result of the design itself. Samsung is understandably unhappy with its faults being put on public display while it’s trying to fix the complications, successfully requesting a retraction of the exposé.

Initial impressions of the Galaxy Fold were relatively positive for an early entry into foldable devices, with many praising the versatility of its design and seamless transition between smartphone and tablet modes. Unfortunately, this came to an abrupt halt just days later when technology journalists began detailing device-breaking faults with screen.

Diving into a review model of the Galaxy Fold, a teardown from boffins over at iFixit determined that there were several design flaws to look out for. Most notably, there is a 7mm gap in the spine's bezel underneath where the crease sits, allowing debris to infiltrate and break the flexible OLED panel. This, paired with a questionable fixed screen protector that can’t be removed, glued glass and two batteries split between each side scored it a 2 in repairability rating.

Originally scheduled for release today, Samsung announced that it was delaying its Galaxy Fold device worldwide in order to improve the design. Furthermore, it requested the removal of the teardown from the partner that provided iFixit with the device. Although the publication states that it is under no obligation to comply, it has done so “out of respect for this partner.”

Samsung has a history of trying to censor negative content, having issued multiple takedown requests amidst the Galaxy Note 7 controversy. This time however, the company is trying to improve the $2,000 smartphone before it reaches the hands of customers.

KitGuru Says: iFixit’s whole mission is to highlight bad design and repairability so that customers receive the best possible bang for buck in future devices. Personally, I’d like it if this was a common practice ahead of release so that handsets are in tip top shape before coming to market.

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Samsung might struggle to fix the issues with its delayed Galaxy Fold https://www.kitguru.net/tech-news/featured-announcement/damien-cox/samsung-might-struggle-to-fix-the-issues-with-its-delayed-galaxy-fold/ https://www.kitguru.net/tech-news/featured-announcement/damien-cox/samsung-might-struggle-to-fix-the-issues-with-its-delayed-galaxy-fold/#respond Wed, 24 Apr 2019 11:26:28 +0000 https://www.kitguru.net/?p=411190 Samsung might have some trouble fixing issues with the Galaxy Fold, as boffins determine it could be a problem with the design itself.

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Samsung announced yesterday that it has delayed the worldwide launch of its long-awaited Galaxy Fold in an attempt to mitigate issues found on review devices. It could be quite some time before we get a replacement release window, as the team at iFixit have determined that the problems could stem from the design of the phone itself.

Famous for its OLED displays, it’s not surprising that Samsung opted for the newer, brighter, more energy efficient technology when developing its flexible panels. Unlike the now-aging LCD screen, OLEDs are required to be hermetically sealed to prevent foreign bodies such as dust from appearing underneath. Any deviance from this can result in fatal errors that render the screen broken.

While a similar effect could be achieved by pairing two LCDs or OLEDs side-by-side, the core aim of the new foldable panel is to seamlessly bridge the gap between smartphone and tablet without an intrusive bezel in the centre. Unfortunately, Samsung seemingly hasn’t accounted for the lack of seal in the fold itself, allowing debris to infiltrate the handset.

Many problems with the review devices were brushed off as human error, as the majority had seemingly peeled off the non-removable screen protector without heeding the instructional warnings. This would certainly make the Galaxy Fold more susceptible to particles, but even models with the screen protector intact suffered a similar fate just days later.

Experts have also questioned the durability of the Galaxy Fold, stating that Samsung’s claim of 200,000 folds might not accurately represent real life. The South Korean firm tested its flexible handset with robots that apply consistent pressure without variance. This won’t apply to those that handle the smartphone differently, putting pressure on the screen itself or closing and opening the device faster.

Hopefully Samsung can come up with a workaround in the coming months, as many customers have already paid for their pre-order. In the meantime, the company is set to face fierce competition from its rivals such as Huawei, as the market is left wide open.

KitGuru Says: Some people find it shocking that the company must not have conducted sufficient hands-on tests in order to let so many problems out of the gate, but others might question if Samsung already knew. After all, the Galaxy Fold was skittishly unveiled behind glass cases and in the hands of staff only. Hopefully these problems are resolved sooner rather than later.

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Samsung Galaxy Fold delayed following reports of screen failure https://www.kitguru.net/lifestyle/mobile/matthew-wilson/samsung-galaxy-fold-delayed-following-reports-of-screen-failure/ https://www.kitguru.net/lifestyle/mobile/matthew-wilson/samsung-galaxy-fold-delayed-following-reports-of-screen-failure/#respond Tue, 23 Apr 2019 08:00:57 +0000 https://www.kitguru.net/?p=410974 The Galaxy Fold has been delayed as early units suffer from screen failure

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The last week has been a bit of a roller-coaster for Samsung. The first review units for the Galaxy Fold began going out, prompting reports of broken displays. Samsung was quick to address this but it seems that the problem was bigger than initially thought, forcing the company to delay the Galaxy Fold at the last minute.

Last week, review units of the Galaxy Fold began failing, with half of the display failing after limited use. Beyond that, there were concerns about the warning that comes with the Galaxy Fold, telling users that any form of adhesive screen protector could cause damage to the display. This is Samsung's debut foldable device, coming after years of R&D, beyond that, the consumer version is going to cost $2,000. In all, things haven't gotten off to a great start.

At first, Samsung said that these display failure issues were limited to a small number of sample units. However, yesterday Samsung took steps to delay launch events for the phone and eventually pushed back the launch entirely, stating:

“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. There was also an instance where substances found inside the device affected the display performance”. Samsung will now “take measures to strengthen the display protection”.

The Galaxy Fold will receive a new release date within the next few weeks. At that point, we will know how far the device has been pushed back.

KitGuru Says: The Galaxy Fold is an interesting device that we have been following through rumours and leaks for several years now. It is disappointing that Samsung's first consumer-facing attempt fell flat before making it out of the door. Still, it is better to find this stuff out early, rather than after the full launch. Hopefully that new release date doesn't end up being too far off.

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Samsung postpones launch events for the Galaxy Fold in China https://www.kitguru.net/lifestyle/mobile/android/damien-cox/samsung-postpones-launch-events-for-the-galaxy-fold-in-china/ https://www.kitguru.net/lifestyle/mobile/android/damien-cox/samsung-postpones-launch-events-for-the-galaxy-fold-in-china/#respond Mon, 22 Apr 2019 11:30:36 +0000 https://www.kitguru.net/?p=410918 Last week, tech reviewers shed light on a range of issues with Samsung’s upcoming Galaxy Fold handset, each pertaining to its unique, flexible screen. Reports are suggesting that the company has made some last minute changes, delaying the smartphone’s launch in several Chinese cities. When reports of Galaxy Fold failures first emerged, Samsung stated that …

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Last week, tech reviewers shed light on a range of issues with Samsung’s upcoming Galaxy Fold handset, each pertaining to its unique, flexible screen. Reports are suggesting that the company has made some last minute changes, delaying the smartphone’s launch in several Chinese cities.

When reports of Galaxy Fold failures first emerged, Samsung stated that it would investigate the cause of the issues while maintaining its April 26th release date. While the South Korean firm looks to be going ahead with the launch as planned in the US, reports are suggesting that the same cannot be said for Chinese territories.

According to a report from SamMobile, Samsung has axed its current release schedule in China based on last-minute issues with the venue set to host the event. If this seems a little too coincidental given recent reports, then you’re not alone. Leaker Ice Universe confirmed to the publication that at least “two of China’s activities related to the Fold have been postponed,” suggesting that Samsung was simply using a scapegoat.

Admittedly, most of the reported problems seem to have been caused when journalists removed the Fold’s protective polymer after confusing it for a traditional screen protector. Samsung does issue a warning within the manual to leave this layer intact, but seemingly failed to account for the majority of the public that won’t read instructions.

Unless Samsung has discerned the cause of the one faulty review model that didn’t conform to the same diagnosis as the others, it is believed that the company is preparing to issue a greater warning to the general public of China in hopes of avoiding the same fatal error. After all, Samsung can’t afford setbacks during the launch of its experimental device, considering the Galaxy Fold costs £1,799 (€2,000/$1,980).

KitGuru Says: It will be interesting to see how Samsung combats the issue, as there is only so much the company can do to prevent people from making the same mistake. It’s expected that we will see many more foldable smartphones on the market in the next few years, but that very premise could hinge on the success of the Galaxy Fold.

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Samsung addresses the surprising amount of Galaxy Fold review devices that are failing https://www.kitguru.net/tech-news/featured-announcement/damien-cox/samsung-addresses-the-surprising-amount-of-galaxy-fold-review-devices-that-are-failing/ https://www.kitguru.net/tech-news/featured-announcement/damien-cox/samsung-addresses-the-surprising-amount-of-galaxy-fold-review-devices-that-are-failing/#respond Thu, 18 Apr 2019 09:35:57 +0000 https://www.kitguru.net/?p=410581 Samsung has released a statement to address the array of issues seen in Galaxy Fold review models.

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Two months after sheepishly unveiling its first bendable handset, Samsung has finally shipped review copies of its Galaxy Fold to tech journalists in the United States. Many are questioning whether or not the product is truly ready for its release next week, as there have been a staggering amount of reports that the Galaxy Fold hasn’t lasted two days before failing.

While there has been concerns over the prominent crease seen in hands-on footage last month, many have noted that this is something easily tuned out when the device is in use. Instead, heads have turned to significantly more detrimental problems that render the display inoperative, with some reporting a complete blackout and others describing a strobe-like effect.

In many cases, the problem looks to have been caused by removing a built-in polymer screen protector that naturally sits above the OLED. Samsung had advised some reviewers to remove it, but the memo seems to have been missed by others. Samsung has stated that it will attempt to quell worries that he unsuspecting consumer might not know to keep the layer intact with a warning, because everyone reads the instructions, right?

In the case of CNBC’s Steve Kovach and The Verge’s Dieter Bohn, the Galaxy Fold’s display failed without removing the protector. In Kovach’s case, the larger screen of the Galaxy Fold has split into two, with the left-hand side flashing white and the right-hand side seemingly switching off at the end of the video. Bohn’s recount is a little different, as he describes some form of debris that interrupts the fold in his screen, breaking OLED coverage in the area.

Samsung has acknowledged that there are problems with “a limited number” of sample models and has recalled faulty Galaxy Fold devices so that its boffins can “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 or adding adhesives to the main display may cause damage. We will ensure this information is clearly delivered to our customers.”

The company’s statement to The Verge shows no sign of slowing down the Galaxy Fold’s April 26th launch, although these plans could very well change when investigations are complete. It is certainly worrisome to investors of the $1980 / €2000 device, as they will have to proceed with caution until further notice.

KitGuru Says: Hiccups aren’t entirely unexpected with technology that’s still in its infancy, but this certainly begs the question whether it is ready for commercial release. Hopefully Samsung gets things back on track ahead of next week and the replacement samples prove that these are relatively isolated incidents.

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Hands-on footage with the Samsung Galaxy Fold prompts concerns of creasing https://www.kitguru.net/lifestyle/mobile/android/damien-cox/hands-on-footage-with-the-samsung-galaxy-fold-prompts-concerns-of-creasing/ https://www.kitguru.net/lifestyle/mobile/android/damien-cox/hands-on-footage-with-the-samsung-galaxy-fold-prompts-concerns-of-creasing/#respond Wed, 20 Mar 2019 14:14:29 +0000 https://www.kitguru.net/?p=407551 Although Samsung gave users a closer look at its flexible smartphone during the annual Galaxy Unpacked event, it mostly kept the Galaxy Fold behind glass displays and in the hands of staff. As per usual, a user has gotten their hands on a device over a month in advance, showcasing a potential problem with the …

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Although Samsung gave users a closer look at its flexible smartphone during the annual Galaxy Unpacked event, it mostly kept the Galaxy Fold behind glass displays and in the hands of staff. As per usual, a user has gotten their hands on a device over a month in advance, showcasing a potential problem with the hybrid handset.

Tâm Nguyễn Minh uploaded a video of the Galaxy Fold F900U on their YouTube channel, phoneoftime. Although the purpose of the video is to show the device being unlocked from AT&T, many immediately noticed the crease down the middle of the inner tablet display.

According to Samsung, the Galaxy Fold is supposed to be able to withstand 200,000 folds before seeing any visible repercussions, however Bloomberg suggested that users might see creases forming after just 10,000. If this does turn out to be the case, Samsung might be forced into offering free replacement screens for the $1,980 smartphone.

It’s entirely possible that the model shown in the video could be a prototype before the consumer versions started production; however this seems unlikely as SamMobile uncovered the smartphone’s Vietnamese origin. One of Samsung’s biggest manufacturing plants resides in Vietnam, meaning that it likely comes from one of the batches during mass production. Still, we don’t know what stress tests and lifestyle this particular variant has been put through, so it’s hard to say how the Galaxy Fold will fair at consumer level.

Overall, this is the closest look at the Galaxy Fold we’ve had since it debuted. The folding mechanism looks smooth and it shouldn’t be particularly difficult to navigate the device one-handed. The software is what will truly make up break it, depending on how well supported applications are and how smooth it continues to operate.

The Samsung Galaxy Fold handset will officially land on US shelves on April 26th.

KitGuru Says: The crease certainly doesn’t breed confidence in the phone’s longevity, but this is still a relatively early concept. Even if people are sceptical for the time being, hopefully this paves the way to better technology moving forward.

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Corning is testing flexible glass solutions for foldable smartphones https://www.kitguru.net/channel/generaltech/damien-cox/corning-is-testing-flexible-glass-solutions-for-foldable-smartphones/ https://www.kitguru.net/channel/generaltech/damien-cox/corning-is-testing-flexible-glass-solutions-for-foldable-smartphones/#respond Wed, 06 Mar 2019 16:30:46 +0000 https://www.kitguru.net/?p=406039 By their very nature, flexible smartphones are built with durable screens that can withstand multiple folds, but the rigidity of Gorilla Glass has meant that none of the new handsets live up to what is now industry standard. Corning has heard these woes and has revealed that it is now working on bendable glass to …

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By their very nature, flexible smartphones are built with durable screens that can withstand multiple folds, but the rigidity of Gorilla Glass has meant that none of the new handsets live up to what is now industry standard. Corning has heard these woes and has revealed that it is now working on bendable glass to make foldable smartphones as tough as their traditional counterparts.

Despite meeting OLED quality, Samsung’s Galaxy Fold and Huawei’s Mate X devices both use less durable plastic polymers instead of glass to allow their the displays to open and close without retaining a crease. Corning is attempting to change that within the next two years, telling Wired that its solution should withstand the same wear and tear as ordinary smartphones.

“In a glass solution, you're really challenging the laws of physics, in that to get a very tight bend radius you want to go thinner and thinner, but you also have to be able to survive a drop event and resist damage,” explains Corning general manager John Bayne. “The back of the problem we're trying to break, the technical challenge, is, can you keep those tight 3- to 5-millimetre bend radii and also increase the damage resistance of the glass. That's the trajectory we're on.”

Corning has already won half the battle, having previously debuted its Willow Glass that can be rolled up as easy as paper. Unfortunately, the molten salt solution used to produce this kills transistors, ultimately making Willow Glass ineligible for use in smartphones.

“We have glasses we've sampled to customers, and they're functional, but they're not quite meeting all the requirements. People either want better performance against a drop event or a tighter bend radius. We can give them one or the other; the key is to give them both,” concludes Bayne.

KitGuru Says: It’s good that Corning is working out these kinks while foldable smartphones are still a distance away from the mainstream market at their $2,000 price tag. Hopefully by the time they begin penetrating the general consumer market, Corning will have unrolled its new technology.

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Samsung finally launches its Galaxy Fold hybrid device at an eye-watering price https://www.kitguru.net/lifestyle/mobile/android/damien-cox/samsung-finally-launches-its-galaxy-fold-hybrid-device-at-an-eye-watering-price/ https://www.kitguru.net/lifestyle/mobile/android/damien-cox/samsung-finally-launches-its-galaxy-fold-hybrid-device-at-an-eye-watering-price/#respond Thu, 21 Feb 2019 16:00:19 +0000 https://www.kitguru.net/?p=404543 After years’ worth of teasing, Samsung finally launched the Galaxy Fold smartphone with a flexible screen. Although its casing is much slimmer than the prototype shown on stage during last year’s Infinity Display announcement, it remains to be seen whether the $1,980 handset has a market. Samsung didn’t quite manage to beat Royole’s FlexPai to …

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After years’ worth of teasing, Samsung finally launched the Galaxy Fold smartphone with a flexible screen. Although its casing is much slimmer than the prototype shown on stage during last year’s Infinity Display announcement, it remains to be seen whether the $1,980 handset has a market.

Samsung didn’t quite manage to beat Royole’s FlexPai to the punch with the launch of its foldable device, but the build of the Galaxy Fold looks significantly sturdier. The 7.3-inch tablet screen folds in half thanks to a sophisticated hinge system, designed to open and close hundreds of thousands of times. Multiple interlocking gears are hidden beneath a Samsung-branded spine for a seamless elegant look, which can actually be customised.

The most interesting feature is Samsung’s “App Continuity.” This allows users to smoothly transition between the smartphone and tablet modes, automatically dragging the open application from one display to the other. When utilising the larger screen, users can utilise Three-App Multitasking to watch a video, browse the web and chat simultaneously. In particular, Whatsapp, Facebook, YouTube and Microsoft Office have all been optimised to work with the new form factor without issue.

No matter which way the Galaxy Fold is configured, users will be able to snap a photo or shoot video. There is a single 10MP “Cover” camera when the handset is closed and dual 10+8MP front-facing cameras when the device is open to capture depth. The trio of lenses on the rear consist of the same 12MP Wide angle, 12MP Telephoto and 16MP Ultrawide angle lenses seen on the Galaxy S10+.

From 12GB of RAM and 512GB of storage, there is a powerhouse of hardware under the hood. The 7nm processor is optimised to make the most of the device’s dual batteries, which form a single 4,380mAh power source. It seems as though Samsung couldn’t quite get its Ultrasonic technology ready for the bendable screen, limiting the fingerprint scanner to the side.

A 4G version of the Galaxy Fold is set to come to the market on April 26th for $1980 or €2000. The company is considering a 5G version for a later date in order to provide a flexible alternative to the upcoming Galaxy S10 5G.

KitGuru Says: Despite the debatably exorbitant price, I'm willing to give the Galaxy Fold the benefit of the doubt as it paves the way for the next decade of smartphones. What I do find funny however, is that Samsung managed to avoid the notch on all of its mainstream counterparts, but couldn't quite dodge the bullet with its flexible entry. What do you think of the Galaxy Fold?

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