Hands-On With Samsung's New Galaxy Fold

[arbi4ever]

2000 bucks and I can break it with my fingernail?????? What a piece of hot garbage.
Also... lol at the folded phone... OMG that’s a massive design fail. The bezels...

It costs 20 bucks per month to protect that fragile garbage?????? 20?????? OMG

Yes, absolutely it's $2000 device, and for sure it is not for everyone to have! I already have iPhone 11 pro max and Note 10 on my other lines, so why not trying this?
The thing is I'm not a fanboy who comes and trolls; I own both Razer and Macbook Pro laptops, and like to experiment the latest and innovative devices, and I really don't care who makes them!
I was more expecting from this forum, since I own this device (was lucky to have one), asking me more technical questions about its Pros or Cons and opinion about the device, instead of trolling.

 

[scrapesleon]

This phone looks tempting not gonna lie

 

[arbi4ever]

This phone looks tempting not gonna lie

I was worried because of the size of the screen, apps not open in proper way, but surprisingly all my apps and even games open flawlessly full screen. But the screen feels like you have Neo Flex screen protector since it covers with a film on it, I don't recommend for people who have long nails, as you push it with sharp instrument, it may damage the screen.
Some are saying it's a prototype; In my opinion, it is well-built product which you can use it everyday. I'm more curious about the Huawei Mate X to see how is that phone is going to be. I'm not sure if Mate X is going to have a film on the screen or how are they going to cover it when you want to put it in your pocket to prevent damaging the screen.

 

[LIVEFRMNYC]

Yes, absolutely it's $2000 device, and for sure it is not for everyone to have! I already have iPhone 11 pro max and Note 10 on my other lines, so why not trying this?
The thing is I'm not a fanboy who comes and trolls; I own both Razer and Macbook Pro laptops, and like to experiment the latest and innovative devices, and I really don't care who makes them!
I was more expecting from this forum, since I own this device (was lucky to have one), asking me more technical questions about its Pros or Cons and opinion about the device, instead of trolling.

How do you deal with the size of the main display? If it wasn't for the main display size, I would have bought the Fold.

 

[arbi4ever]

How do you deal with the size of the main display? If it wasn't for the main display size, I would have bought the Fold.

I think the main screen is too small and believe me you barely use that screen when you want to use it. I think Samsung used a smaller screen for battery life, but the front screen is good to check the notifications; and use different widgets on multiple pages on the front.

 

[Morgenland]

That's why I'm paying $20/months Samsung Care for my Galaxy Fold. But my overall experience is quite positive. Some folks here are talking about Android tablets, but Galaxy Fold is NOT running Android tablet OS. It is running Samsung ONE UI which is totally different from tablets.

Is there MS-Office and Google Maps available for that OS?
And whats about low light and pano mode in their camera app?

 

[Drak3]

Is there MS-Office and Google Maps available for that OS?

One UI is just Samsung's latest Android Skin. So yes.
One UI (and Android 9) is also the reason I ditched my Note 9 and S8 for an XR and 11 Pro Max.

 

[LIVEFRMNYC]

One UI is just Samsung's latest Android Skin. So yes.
One UI (and Android 9) is also the reason I ditched my Note 9 and S8 for an XR and 11 Pro Max.

Why? One UI is Samsung finally getting it right.

 

[Drak3]

Why? One UI is Samsung finally getting it right.

One UI is hideous, a poor performer, and on the S8, S9, Note 8, and Note 9, huge space wasters. Samsung Experience was far better. I'll happily take old versions of TouchWix over One UI too.

 

[LIVEFRMNYC]

One UI is hideous, a poor performer, and on the S8, S9, Note 8, and Note 9, huge space wasters. Samsung Experience was far better. I'll happily take old versions of TouchWix over One UI too.

You just might be the only person that thinks so.

 

[Drak3]

You just might be the only person that thinks so.

I'm not. Only person I know that likes One UI on their Note 9 is a non-techie that came from a Galaxy J7.

 

[i-John]

True. But how much does the Apple Card cost you Vs. Galaxy Fold? If I break or lose a credit card, I call for a new one.

Which makes it even more of a joke.

 

[arbi4ever]

Is there MS-Office and Google Maps available for that OS?
And whats about low light and pano mode in their camera app?

Is there MS-Office and Google Maps available for that OS?
And whats about low light and pano mode in their camera app?

Yes, they are all working fine on full screen.
I posted google map, waze, microsoft word, and apple webpage and apple music app pic here.

 

[Waxhead138]

This is a exercise in proving what the future holds.....maybe an idea that should have been kept in house for awhile. Keep perfecting before release / wait until this device serves more of a purpose than being a new gadget for people that really are first adopters. What need does this fulfill? Not slamming the idea...just don't see the market for it....at least while it's still heavy and seemingly pretty fragile.

I'm fascinated by the ability of this product, but I find no personal use for it. That, of course, is subjective, and others will find this useful. Will they find it useful enough to switch platforms / replace other devices? That I find questionable. It is still before it's time....kinda like Panasonic 3DO was. Badass system for it's day, if you were willing to sell your extra kidney.

Best analogy I see for this thing right now, and admittedly it's kind of a weak one:

Nintendo WiiU: Awesome concept. Due to a ton of issues, mostly involving bad planning and lack of up front 3rd party developer involvement, flopped. Compare that to:

Nintendo Switch: The above concept perfected and imo the idea they were aiming for with the WiiU. Be it technological limitations or whatever......we got the WiiU first, and the perfected idea later. I think this foldable idea falls under that bracket. When the tech allows the pricepoint to equate to this idea being thinner and lighter.....then maybe we have something.

Samsung has however demonstrated some badass in-house abilities here. An idea Apple needs to re-visit.

 

[arbi4ever]

Is there MS-Office and Google Maps available for that OS?
And whats about low light and pano mode in their camera app?

I forgot, the camera is the same camera on Note 10, night mode i there. All the apps also work flawlessly on landscape mode!

 

[bosozoku]

You can left mark on touch screen just with your nail!!! Epic fail! Its pathetic!

 

[arbi4ever]

This is a exercise in proving what the future holds.....maybe an idea that should have been kept in house for awhile. Keep perfecting before release / wait until this device serves more of a purpose than being a new gadget for people that really are first adopters. What need does this fulfill? Not slamming the idea...just don't see the market for it....at least while it's still heavy and seemingly pretty fragile.

I'm fascinated by the ability of this product, but I find no personal use for it. That, of course, is subjective, and others will find this useful. Will they find it useful enough to switch platforms / replace other devices? That I find questionable. It is still before it's time....kinda like Panasonic 3DO was. Badass system for it's day, if you were willing to sell your extra kidney.

Best analogy I see for this thing right now, and admittedly it's kind of a weak one:

Nintendo WiiU: Awesome concept. Due to a ton of issues, mostly involving bad planning and lack of up front 3rd party developer involvement, flopped. Compare that to:

Nintendo Switch: The above concept perfected and imo the idea they were aiming for with the WiiU. Be it technological limitations or whatever......we got the WiiU first, and the perfected idea later. I think this foldable idea falls under that bracket. When the tech allows the pricepoint to equate to this idea being thinner and lighter.....then maybe we have something.

Samsung has however demonstrated some badass in-house abilities here. An idea Apple needs to re-visit.

I've seen some patent for a foldable device by Apple, so they are on it too. The patent I saw is for the foldable device but not the screen; as we know these screen would be manufacture by LG or Samsung. I believe this is a test to see how the market would react. It is still too early to come up with a conclusion in my opinion, but so far there's a high demand for the Fold. Time will tell. Who knows.

 

[sakurarain]

put such a thick phone in my jeans pocket? NO! In total, the phone is an example for a poor design....IMO

 

[realtuner]

That's why I'm paying $20/months Samsung Care for my Galaxy Fold. But my overall experience is quite positive. Some folks here are talking about Android tablets, but Galaxy Fold is NOT running Android tablet OS. It is running Samsung ONE UI which is totally different from tablets.

Say what? This makes no sense. The Fold runs Android. One UI is more like a skin.

If you download an App from Google Play that hasn’t been optimized for tablets (the vast majority of them) it doesn’t suddenly become “optimized” when run on the Fold. It’s still just a blown-up phone App on a larger screen. Just because it runs and fills the screen doesn’t make it optimized.

You pay $20 a month for device protection? I thought Samsung gave free support with the Fold.

 

[arbi4ever]

Say what? This makes no sense. The Fold runs Android. One UI is more like a skin.

If you download an App from Google Play that hasn’t been optimized for tablets (the vast majority of them) it doesn’t suddenly become “optimized” when run on the Fold. It’s still just a blown-up phone App on a larger screen. Just because it runs and fills the screen doesn’t make it optimized.

You pay $20 a month for device protection? I thought Samsung gave free support with the Fold.

Galaxy Fold is a "phone", not a "tablet" and it does not need to run tablet apps! I mean you should check it out and play with it to see how it works, because I really don't understand what you mean by "suddenly become optimized"! I've posted various screenshots of apps in this forum, so I'm not getting your point.

The same way I pay $15 for my Apple Care+, I pay $20 for the Fold for Samsung Care+! Samsung will cover 1st screen replacement with or without insurance for $149 complimentary same day service, but it would cost $250 after with insurance or $600 without insurance. Also, Samsung gives Fold Concierge special service.

 

[dz5b609]

This is a very unpolished gimmick. If Xiaomi can open up that new Mi Mix Alpha (like they did with a prototype earlier this year) I can see use cases for it.

 

[digthewell]

I don't think this design or concept is ever going to catch on. It's going to be something niche that every company (save for Apple) would want to dabble with to get their name on the charts, but nobody would treat this as the emerging tech or the future of mobile phones.

 

[Jim Lahey]

Galaxy Fold is a "phone", not a "tablet"...

I thought the whole point was that it's supposed to be both.

 

[jkruehne]

Nice idea to try something new, but … looks more like a concept/prototype in this state.
also the branding on the box - for me as a non native english - I only read "Gals" on the box

 

[insoft.uk]

It’s still has issues with dust and crap getting inside of the hinge, also it’s advisable not to touch screen if you have finger nails, and avoid touching the screen too often.

it is very much early days and foldable screens are not ready for the consumer market but Samsung says if you have the money they will let youget your hands on it, but will make it hard to actually find a place that will sell them as they don’t plan to produce many.