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The Samsung Galaxy Fold, worth nearly $ 2,000, remains one of the most creative devices on the market in recent years. For the moment, however, it seems that the phone is waving its folding wings too close to the sun.
Originally intended to go out in stores on April 26, Samsung had to postpone the publication of its device after the screens of the exam models were sent to the media and bloggers began to malfunction after only a few months. days. A closer look at its construction shows a quick fix for the Fold might not be as easy to design.
Samsung announced on Monday that initial testing done on control units had revealed problems with the hinge that allowed to open and close the Fold, and a case in which "substances found within the the device affected the display performance ". which could cause these problems.
iFixit got hold of a Fold – we do not know how, because they are not available for sale – and opened it to find out how it works. The disassembly showed two main areas where debris can penetrate into the device: up and down the inside fold, where both sides of the screen meet, and at the same time Back of the spine. The 7 millimeter gap at the edge of the screen may seem tiny, but flat devices such as iPhones have no flaws. It was really surprising for my team to find as much free space, "says Sam Lionheart, head dismantling engineer at iFixit.
Louise Matsakis discusses cybersecurity, Internet law and online culture for WIRED.
Samsung seems to have left these areas exposed intentionally, so that the folding screen retains a full range of motion. But they also facilitate crumbs and damage to the phone when it hits something. The problem is reminiscent of Apple's Macbook and Macbook Pro "butterfly" keyboards, which also tend to malfunction after particles get lodged under the keys. Keyboard design issues, such as holes in a smartphone, can not be fixed by a software update, which increases the chances of persistent problems.
Lionheart says that a potential solution would be to create a small plastic cover to cover the top and bottom of the phone when both sides of the folding screen come together. This would prevent debris from entering the screen and prevent it from being jostled, for example, in a pocket. But such coverage could be difficult to conceive in a sustainable way. "These are the kinds of things that, over time, as you open and close the phone, this area will expand," she says. According to the disassembly of iFixit, Samsung seems to already use silicone gaskets inside to protect the Fold, but they are debatable, the screen is always exposed.
The thin sheet of plastic Samsung made The design to go over the folding screen is already causing problems. Some critics confuse it with a disposable screen protector and try to remove it. The protective layer is necessary because the polymer screen underneath is easily scratchable, a problem that hopefully will disappear in the future when the folding screens of the phone are glass. And even when the movie was running, the phone was still subject to malfunctions.
There is no way to completely seal the Fold because, unlike the solid slab of an iPhone, its design requires some flexibility. This means that if Samsung had to develop a quick fix, it could only create problems later. A partial solution could inadvertently trap particles that would enter the phone. "The more you protect something, the harder it is for the dirt to come out," says Lionheart.
According to Nick Cronan, founding partner of Branch Creative, the firm specializing in gadgets like Nextbit Robin, Samsung's problems may indicate problems that could affect folding phones. "What they are trying to do is fundamentally difficult. It's a great company and they still can not do it right, "he says. "The technology is not there yet. This is simply not the case. "
And this before even reaching the fundamental disadvantage of the Fold: the parts that do not break, but that may interfere. Cronan points out that the ripple in the middle of the folding screen is a persistent problem that it will be difficult for Samsung to move. For nearly $ 2,000, he should be "totally fucked when it's open."
Cronan also notes that the Fold is already incredibly thick, like an overloaded workbook, as Samsung probably can not bend it further without the hinge failing. Other smartphones manufacturers working on folding phones such as Xiaomi and Huawei have chosen to avoid this problem by designing the screen so that it folds into the phone. other way. Instead of collapsing on their own, their screens fold finely around the rest of the device. (But that also means that they might be fragile too.)
It is unclear how long Samsung will be forced to delay the launch of Fold, and the company did not immediately respond to a request for comment. In his statement on Monday, Samsung said it was taking "steps to strengthen the screen protection" and that it would announce a new release date in the coming weeks. Even when the phone comes out, it will probably remain a delicate niche device.
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