Remodeled Galaxy Fold corrects past mistakes: what's different from Samsung foldable phone

the Samsung Galaxy Fold is back and promises better behavior. After the design flaws began to cause the phone screens of the examiners to breakSamsung has postponed the release date of the Fold and returned to the drawing table to solve the problem. Now a new improved Galaxy Fold put on sale in September, starting in Korea and extending throughout Asia and Europe before going to the United States. (Here's what we know about pre-ordering the fixed fold.)

I had the opportunity to familiarize myself with the redesigned model, which, according to Samsung, will avoid suffering the damage that has caused the screens of some proofreaders to break. (The CNET examination unit never broke, but the the screen has been scratched.)

The solutions brought by Samsung correct the first problems of the Galaxy Fold, but also mark a change in the strategy of the phone manufacturer for the sale of the device. The Galaxy Fold, worth $ 1,980, was supposed to be a resounding success to ensure Samsung 's place of innovator. The first users would claim it. It would become the ultimate symbol of status and luxury. But now these changes represent Samsung's mistakes and the company seems less enthusiastic than the Fold will sell it.

This new design has virtually the same features as before, with subtle modifications that make it more difficult to deteriorate the Galaxy Fold's delicate plastic screen. For example, Samsung completely eliminated the question of whether the protective layer above the original design was an optional screen protector or an essential element of the integrity of the screen. screen – it was actually acting from the latter, as some commentators had learned earlier. year.

Unfolding the fold is also different. Smoother, maybe. More robust. I've always liked to open and close the original drawing while I was working with the phone: feeling of resistance when you close the screen and feel the magnetic sides close up.

Now, it seems more complete in a way. It's hard to say exactly why, with the original Galaxy Fold in the rearview mirror and just my memory for comparison. Before this week, the last time I held the fold was in mid-April. This is how the Galaxy Fold has changed.

No visible screen protector

If you remove it, the Fold screen is immediately unusable. Now this layer of polymer expands under the plastic bezel. It's still there, but you can not see it, and that's how it should be.

Screen caps at the ends of the phone

The new T-shaped plastic "caps" close the interstices that existed before when you folded the phone's screen. It is the game created as part of the kinetic process. I tried to pinch my nails around this part to see if I could create openings, but I did not succeed. It's reassuring.

Reinforced screen

The previous design of Galaxy Fold included a layer of metal supporting a padded layer and then the top of the screen. Samsung explains that this has made the fold of the screen more visible in the center of the phone. Now he reinforces the screen by adding a second layer of metal on the top of the cushion. We will see if this reduces the appearance of the fold and also preserves the damage by pressing too hard on the display at bay.

No more Astro Blue or Martian Green colors

The blue and green colors have really taken the fold on top, but Samsung told us that it's okay only sell the fold in silver and black now. It's a pity, but I'm not really surprised. Samsung could prepare for fewer sales because of its diminishing enthusiasm, and therefore control its production accounts.

No Galaxy Fold 5G in the United States

Anyone in Korea buying the Galaxy Fold will get the default 5G version, but the opposite is true in the United States – 4G only concerns this market. Samsung says the 5G version will come in some countries, of course at a higher cost than the 4G model if both are sold side by side. This includes the UK, where the Galaxy Fold 5G will be available at EE from 18 September.

Stay tuned for more photos and my handy video that shows you exactly what's new and different in this second coming of the Galaxy Fold. Meanwhile, read how The next collapsible phone from Samsung could have the shape of a square.

Originally published earlier this week and updated with more context.