Samsung Galaxy Fold design flaw: iFixit teardown shows phone’s inability to stop debris ingress

Samsung has started to recall the faulty/broken Galaxy Fold devices to investigated about the problems that caused the display of handset to malfunction, iFixit’s teardown may have finally given people a lead in that direction. Considered as one of the most reputed and informed teardown, iFixit showed a gap between the screen and the edge of the Galaxy Fold that leaves enough space debris to enter the phone and cause problems.

“Unlike the dull slabs of glass we're used to, this smartphone/tablet hybrid has lots of potential entry points—and not the good kind. To achieve the fold, the thin bezel that surrounds (and protects) the screen leaves a gap where the two halves meet. You don't notice it until you notice it … And then you can't help but "test ingress." This 7 mm gap doesn't seem like a huge deal, but it leaves the display exposed—so should something accidentally enter, it's curtains for the screen,” the platform said.

For those unaware, while some of the reviewers removed the ‘protective screen guard’ from the phone and saw display malfunctioning, The Verge’s Dieter Bohn saw a bulge in the lower half of the display. Although it is still not known what caused the damage in Bohn’s device, but the revelation by the teardown points that debris could have caused the bulge in the display. An OLED display is “incredibly delicate” and if it’s not protected by something like Gorilla Glass, it can get easily damaged.

The hinge, however, is said to be “incredibly robust and well designed.” Samsung had claimed that the hinge has had 200,000 robot-powered unfoldings without issue. The Verge says that Samsung could have used the silicone protective layer that Apple added to MacBook keyboards to make the the design more robust.

Follow Us

Digit NewsDesk

Digit News Desk writes news stories across a range of topics. Getting you news updates on the latest in the world of tech. View Full Profile