Samsung Galaxy Fold (2019)

Source

Marques Brownlee (MKBHD)

Key Takeaways

• Fragile polyimide layer gets permanently grooved by fingernails, and peeling the top layer kills the panel instantly.
• Massive open gaps at the top and bottom of the hinge let grit slide underneath the OLED, puncturing the display.
• Tiny 4.6-inch cover display flanked by enormous bezels makes typing almost impossible.
• Ugly, oversized corner cutout inside obliterates media immersion and cuts off app interfaces.

✅ Pros

• Pioneered the foldable smartphone category
• First taste of tablet power in a pocket
• Generous dual-battery setup and RAM

❌ Cons

• Laughably delicate plastic screen
• Disastrous hinge gaps prone to grit ingress
• Unusable, cramped cover display
• Garish corner cutout notch

📝 Verdict

"Galaxy Fold was a fatally flawed first attempt: fragile plastic, gaping dust traps, and unready hardware."

Source

• Video: Samsung Galaxy Fold Review: Future Imperfect
• Channel: MrMobile [Michael Fisher] | Type: Long-term review | Based on: YouTube transcript

Key points

• Used for 30 days, right as he was moving to Brooklyn; he believes foldables are the future: a big screen when you need it, a small phone when you don't, plus long battery life
• A battery life example: he used Wireless PowerShare to charge a nearly dead Pixel 4, and both ended up with about 30%; in 30 days he only needed to charge before bed twice
• Downsides: a visible crease and an extremely easily damaged plastic screen (only a few small marks after a month); the hinge gradually loosens, makes noise and no longer opens fully flat; no water or dust resistance, so he has to put it away immediately when it rains
• The big screen makes reading maps, messaging while waiting for the bus and reading books more comfortable; he compares Samsung to the Galaxy Note that was once mocked for being too big

✅ Pros

• Big screen boosts mobile productivity
• Strong battery life
• Wireless PowerShare

❌ Cons

• US$2,000
• Fragile screen, visible crease
• Hinge loosens
• No water or dust resistance

📝 Verdict

Not just a gimmick but a practical tool; most people should wait for the rumored sequel, but he's happy that phones are exciting again.

Source

• Video: Samsung Galaxy Fold Durability Test! - Is it STILL fragile?!
• Channel: JerryRigEverything | Type: Durability test | Based on: YouTube transcript

Key points

• He tested a brand-new Korean retail unit (the revised second version); warnings in the box—touch the screen gently, not water- or dust-resistant, don't apply a screen protector, keep away from magnetic cards—left him with no confidence in its durability
• It feels solid, and the hinge opens and closes naturally and snaps shut with magnets, more phone-like than the Royole FlexPai he tested; the inner screen's crease is visible even when the phone is off
• The inner screen was accidentally punctured during testing and became basically unusable
• Samsung claims the hinge can fold 200,000 times; but after a spoonful of sand and dirt, the hinge started making a gritty sound after about 20 openings and closings
• When bent backward, the hinge didn't break; it only bent slightly and cracked at the antenna lines, with strength comparable to Samsung's regular flagships

✅ Pros

• Very sturdy hinge
• Good feel when opening and closing

❌ Cons

• Inner screen extremely easy to damage
• Hinge vulnerable to dust
• Can't use a screen protector
• No water or dust resistance

📝 Verdict

He can't call it a pass or a fail; he thinks this form factor will be a winner once Samsung solves dustproofing for the hinge and allows screen protectors.

Source

• Video: Samsung Galaxy Fold Review: We Gotta Talk!
• Channel: Marques Brownlee | Type: Professional review | Based on: YouTube transcript

Key points

• This reviews the original version from before the April 2019 delay: his review unit broke and was replaced, other reviewers hit similar problems, and Samsung announced it would strengthen the screen before shipping, so he calls this a "part one pre-review"
• The cover screen is listed at 4.6 inches but is as narrow as a 3.6-inch screen with very thick bezels; the main event is the 7.3-inch 4:3 OLED inside
• The body is thick and heavy and doesn't close flat, like two narrow phones glued together; the hinge and soft inner plastic layer make it very fragile, and there's speculation that dust could get into the hinge
• At US$2,000, it's no cheaper than a Galaxy S10 plus a tablet; he won't tell people to buy it, but suggests trying it in a store
• He believes folding will be the future of phones or tablets, and thanks Samsung for being willing to jump in first

✅ Pros

• The concept of a big screen in your pocket
• An exciting new form factor

❌ Cons

• Fragile (screen and hinge)
• Thick, heavy and doesn't close flat
• Cover screen too small
• US$2,000 price

📝 Verdict

He doesn't recommend buying the first generation, but as a concept it's very promising, and he looks forward to the final hardware and future generations.