Samsung's New $2,000 Foldable Phone Is Reportedly Already Breaking After Just A Few Days Of Use
Did we honestly think the foldable smartphone that costs upwards of $2,000 was a good idea?
Unfortunately, many consumers wanting the latest, innovative gadget and are finding out the hard way that clothing is best for folding.
Samsung's new Galaxy Fold smartphone will not be commercially available to consumers until April 26.
Journalists who were supplied with early samples of the phone were able to try out it out. So far, there are no rave reviews.
Bloomberg's Mark Gurman tweeted pictures of his damaged screen on Wednesday after barely spending time with the phone.
"The screen on my Galaxy Fold review unit is completely broken and unusable just two days in. Hard to know if this is widespread or not."
The screen on my Galaxy Fold review unit is completely broken and unusable just two days in. Hard to know if this i… https://t.co/tvECygQgFN— Mark Gurman (@Mark Gurman) 1555523909.0
When I tap the screen as well with the top of my finger and the fingernail hits it (very common), it also leaves a… https://t.co/0U8qFb3z61— Mark Gurman (@Mark Gurman) 1555523976.0
Gurman apparently detached the protective adhesive without reading instructions not to.
But is the consumer entirely at fault for the damage-prone device?
The phone comes with this protective layer/film. Samsung says you are not supposed to remove it. I removed it, not… https://t.co/c866vARbZf— Mark Gurman (@Mark Gurman) 1555524099.0
Things weren't looking up.
It has gotten progressively worse. Here’s the latest, photo taken now. One photo is from last night. Other photo is… https://t.co/hTnbeZACIV— Mark Gurman (@Mark Gurman) 1555524384.0
The screen now appears to be completely dead https://t.co/FPpNrGo6gA— Mark Gurman (@Mark Gurman) 1555527065.0
@markgurman RIP Galaxy Fold 2019-2019— Kevin Herm (@Kevin Herm) 1555527107.0
Gurman wasn't the only one who was inconvenienced.
Web video producer Marques Brownlee also mistook the shield for a scratch-resistant cover.
@markgurman 100% did the same exact thing and the inside screen spazzed. There should be a PSA or writing in the box.— Marques Brownlee (@Marques Brownlee) 1555524263.0
PSA: There's a layer that appears to be a screen protector on the Galaxy Fold's display. It's NOT a screen protecto… https://t.co/oEJqvTwL79— Marques Brownlee (@Marques Brownlee) 1555525341.0
Turns out that protective layer served no useful function.
@MKBHD @markgurman We didn't remove the film. Screen still broke.— Steve Kovach (@Steve Kovach) 1555524330.0
@MKBHD @markgurman It’s scary that a plastic film is the difference between a $2000 phone working and not working.… https://t.co/B6So8SpktD— Derrick Brewer (@Derrick Brewer) 1555529490.0
@backlon @stevekovach @MKBHD @markgurman Lol "U weren't suppose to remove it". What touch screen device has a plast… https://t.co/LSbkXGN2Pn— Matthew James (@Matthew James) 1555528857.0
The new phone costs $1,980 and comes with two screens. The first is the exterior screen measuring 4.6-inches and the interior, when unfolded, reveals the second display at 7.3-inches, according to CNET.
Meanwhile, Apple users got a little cocky.
@stevekovach @MKBHD @markgurman Apple fans be like: https://t.co/aA0RuTW5lu— Rhys Kenneth (@Rhys Kenneth) 1555552914.0
But iOS users were chastised for their devotion to a brand known for exploding batteries.
@stevekovach @MKBHD @markgurman Sounds like a pretty inferior product.. at least this phone doesn’t explode I suppose— Grimes (@Grimes) 1555542457.0
Samsung released a statement, saying they will "thoroughly inspect thee units in person to determine the cause of the matter."
Samsung’s statement on the Galaxy Fold screen issues: https://t.co/9SAQeIpoe3— Joanna Stern (@Joanna Stern) 1555554107.0
@waltmossberg @JoannaStern You all misunderstood. Samsung was making the “mission impossible” devices which were de… https://t.co/difcR3STm1— AviJ (@AviJ) 1555571406.0
So far, there are no plans of modifying the phones.
Also from Samsung PR: “There are no changes to the plans – we are launching in the U.S. on April 26.”— Joanna Stern (@Joanna Stern) 1555554615.0
Sounds like Samsung is poised for about as much success as their curved monitors that nobody is buying.
The Next Batch Of New Emojis Is All About Inclusion And Accessibility
All new emojis must be approved by the Unicode Consortium, which often receives submissions from companies like Apple and Google on what the next emojis should be. In a victory for the disabled and LGBTQ+ communities, the Consortium has announced 2019's new emojis will include many symbols centered around inclusion.
230 new emoji released in move to make characters more inclusive https://t.co/yQZpjcKplz https://t.co/Z5gt35EtTj— ITV News (@ITV News) 1549456458
NEW EMOJI: Next batch of emoji includes people with #disabilities, guide dog https://t.co/CX7LazZd0r What else wou… https://t.co/jkk47ladVe— Lane Luckie (@Lane Luckie) 1549450800
Apple requested last year that the list of emojis include more diverse, inclusive symbols.
Their request was definitely heard!
The Unicode Consortium has announced its final list of approved emoji for this year. The new batch of emoji include… https://t.co/Ex1QPg9wy4— Daniel Fleshbourne (@Daniel Fleshbourne) 1549442765
Other new emojis include a computer, a planet, and... AN OTTER!
New emojis approved in #emoji12 will come to operating systems (iOS, Android, Windows), apps (WhatsApp) and web pla… https://t.co/s0uvG1idMS— Emojipedia 🇺🇦🌻 (@Emojipedia 🇺🇦🌻) 1549397892
But the big ticket items among emoji lovers have definitely been the guide-dogs, deaf individuals, and non-binary couples.
✅ Approved in #emoji12: Guide Dog https://t.co/CmxJuQQ2dt https://t.co/iNJ3801EUF— Emojipedia 🇺🇦🌻 (@Emojipedia 🇺🇦🌻) 1549406419
✅ Approved in #emoji12: Man With Probing Cane https://t.co/07pUddbzeh https://t.co/xCDLIIeFQB— Emojipedia 🇺🇦🌻 (@Emojipedia 🇺🇦🌻) 1549409083
✅ Approved in #emoji12: Manual Wheelchair https://t.co/m5l7plNTzY https://t.co/2N1epGOKHv— Emojipedia 🇺🇦🌻 (@Emojipedia 🇺🇦🌻) 1549410936
✅ Approved in #emoji12: Ear With Hearing Aid https://t.co/JVWXvLpsat https://t.co/zRhowm9yj6— Emojipedia 🇺🇦🌻 (@Emojipedia 🇺🇦🌻) 1549414728
✅ Approved in #emoji12: Deaf Man https://t.co/UKgIdSdSar https://t.co/wgcx70xaTd— Emojipedia 🇺🇦🌻 (@Emojipedia 🇺🇦🌻) 1549417976
The new emojis feature non-binary couples with almost any mix of races.
✅ Approved in #emoji12: People Holding Hands. Gender neutral / gender inclusive, with mixed skin tone support… https://t.co/z3KjsYSh48— Emojipedia 🇺🇦🌻 (@Emojipedia 🇺🇦🌻) 1549424818
✅ Approved in #emoji12: Mixed Skin Tone Support for Men Holding Hands (👬) https://t.co/APoF9en9Em— Emojipedia 🇺🇦🌻 (@Emojipedia 🇺🇦🌻) 1549433936
✅ Approved in #emoji12: Mixed Skin Tone Support for Women Holding Hands (👭) https://t.co/fbcfKmAiPa— Emojipedia 🇺🇦🌻 (@Emojipedia 🇺🇦🌻) 1549432693
While these steps are definitely important, many Twitter users were most excited about a certain other emoji...
More excited than I should be about the incoming addition of this emoji. But more amazing news is that accessibili… https://t.co/ivNeefM6X5— Uma Kumaran (@Uma Kumaran) 1549457452
There are non-binary people represented in the 2019 emoji! Also wheelchair users, service dogs, and even more impor… https://t.co/k79YG2Nqou— Laurie Voss (@Laurie Voss) 1549423733
@seldo My non-binary service otter will be so pleased!— Marion Cotesworth-Haye (@Marion Cotesworth-Haye) 1549423859
@unicode Finally https://t.co/89vVEfVW9r— Lucy (@Lucy) 1549399341
In general, social media was glad to see a new, more inclusive set of emojis.
LOOK AT ALL THE NEW DISABILITY EMOJI!!!!! THIS IS GOOD! https://t.co/uEkVkNzOWo— Jamie-Leigh (@Jamie-Leigh) 1549447568
The new emojis should become available along with an upcoming software update. Congratulations to Apple and the Unicode Consortium for taking steps to improve disabled and LGBTQ+ representation!