The Broken Galaxy Folds: Explained!

The video opens with MKBHD recounting the rapid failure of several Galaxy Fold units among early reviewers, explaining that the issues surfaced very soon after unboxing. He describes noticing a pre-installed screen protector with a lip around the display, and, upon peeling it back, the screen immediately blacks out and shows a flickering edge. This initial damage is framed as a key clue to the broader problem, which he later aligns with multiple other reviewers who experienced similar display failures after mild handling. The host then breaks down four observed failure modes across the first wave of folds: in two cases the screen died after peeling the protective film or its adhesive, while in the other two cases the top protective layer or its underlying film appeared to be damaged through regular use or misinterpretation of a protective layer as a removable film. He emphasizes that removing the film is risky and may void the screen’s integrity, highlighting that some reviewers did not have warnings on their unit packaging, implying a miscommunication in the supply chain. Moving into Samsung’s response, the video summarizes the company’s statement that a few units showed main display issues and that Samsung would inspect the devices to determine the causes, distinguishing between peeling damage and issues arising from the protective layer itself. MKBHD notes that foldable displays rely on a soft plastic layer rather than glass, which makes them more susceptible to damage from scratches or peeling, and he argues that this fundamental material choice is at the heart of the problem. He discusses broader implications for folding phones, acknowledging the excitement around the technology while acknowledging the hurdles of durability, reliability, and real-world use. He closes with a balanced view: folding phones are promising but currently present a high-risk, first-generation experience, and future generations could improve if the lessons learned from this early batch are applied. The video ends with a call for viewer feedback on whether to continue using the Galaxy Fold and a tease of a deeper future review, underscoring the ongoing evolution of this new form factor.

Topics · Technology · Science & Technology