samsung’s $2,000 foldable phone is breaking after a couple of days say reviewers

it’s only been a few days since reviewers received their samsung foldable smartphone and they are already having issues. journalists who received the phones to review before the public launch said the galaxy fold screen started flickering before turning completely black.

it’s not great news, especially considering the promises samsung have publicly made time and time again.according to previous reports, the screen can withstand being opened and closed 200,000 times, or 100 times a day for five years. samsung even released a video promoting the galaxy fold’s ability to do just that, again, again, and again.

After one day of use… pic.twitter.com/VjDlJI45C9

— Steve Kovach (@stevekovach) April 17, 2019

remember bend gate? the 2014 controversy involving the iPhone 6 plus, where consumers alleged that the phone would bend in their pockets. well this is kind of like that, except there is still a chance that samsung could get a handle on it before regular consumers start receiving their own model, although public launch is pretty imminent…

My colleague opened the Galaxy Fold and it started doing this. So, long answer to your question @WilfredFrost, the hinge doesn’t seem very rugged after all. After two days: pic.twitter.com/Z1F8iwjURa

— Todd Haselton (@robotodd) April 17, 2019

multiple tech reporters have taken to twitter to raise concerns about the screen on the galaxy fold, posting photos of the screen progressively deteriorating. ‘the screen on my galaxy fold review unit is completely broken and unusable just two days in’, wrote bloomberg’s mark gurman. meanwhile, a video posted by CNBC tech editor steve kovach showed the left-hand side of the screen on the outlet’s review unit malfunctioning ‘after one day of use.’

The screen on my Galaxy Fold review unit is completely broken and unusable just two days in. Hard to know if this is widespread or not. pic.twitter.com/G0OHj3DQHw

— Mark Gurman (@markgurman) April 17, 2019

a samsung spokesperson has since said in a statement that the reason why a few reviews have reported faults might be down to the removal of a top layer that is supposed to stay intact. ‘removing the protective layer or adding adhesives to the main display may cause damage,’ the spokesperson said. ‘we will ensure this information is clearly delivered to our customers.’

The phone comes with this protective layer/film. Samsung says you are not supposed to remove it. I removed it, not knowing you’re not supposed to (consumers won’t know either). It appeared removable in the left corner, so I took it off. I believe this contributed to the problem. pic.twitter.com/fU646D2zpY

— Mark Gurman (@markgurman) April 17, 2019

the galaxy fold goes on sale april 26 in the US for $1,980, making it one of the most expensive phones anywhere.