24 hours with Galaxy Fold: What it’s like to use Samsung’s first folding phone for a day

Samsung recently unveiled the second iteration of its first foldable, called the Galaxy Z Fold 2. Details about the new device remain poor. The company says it will share more information, including the price and pre-order details of the Z Fold 2, on Sept. 1. original Galaxy Fold remains an intriguing phone, one you can buy right now (get the Galaxy Fold for $ 1,980 at Best Buy). I bought one last year and spent the day with it so I could report back on everything from the foldable hinge to the display. The pronunciation? i found the Galaxy Fold more than I thought I would. I unboxed it this morning, after waiting in line at Samsung’s store in Samsung since 5:30, the day of its release. After spending the day with the jazzy hinge design, I noticed a few things about the phone. Read on for last year’s account of 24 hours spent with Samsung’s first foldable.

First of all, there is no noticeable protective layer that you can ask wrongly to peel off. This was one of the major errors in the initial design of the phone; a movie was laid over the top of the display that just looked like one of those layers that will happily peel you off when you get a new phone. It was actually a crucial part of the design, and some journalists did early checking of samples of the Fold peel it off, which ruined the display.

The lack of visible movie on the updated version means that you are less likely to ruin your affordable phone on Day 1. Samsung has also sealed the edge of the display more securely with plastic caps at the two points where it falls, which hopefully dust will stop particles coming below the surface (another pain point of round one).

The original design had a gap between the hinge where the Galaxy Fold folds, and the two arms of the screens. This has now been reduced. You can also not see any extra metal plate under the display, which is meant to enhance the fragile plastic screen, but Samsung assures us that it is there.

But beyond these design tweaks, the phone remains unchanged. The hinge feels smooth to use and the phone snaps satisfactorily close like those snappy cases you get with your glasses.

Redesign of Galaxy Fold: here’s how Samsung fixes its foldable phone

See all photos

But what about the shrinkage on the display? That, there is there and there is no way out. Capture reflections of overhead lights the right way and you can easily see wrinkles across the surface, instead of the smooth space of glass that you would see on any other smartphone.

It can be a bit offset at times. I found that it’s mostly a problem when watching a dark video, which makes overhead light reflections – and thus the lame – clearer. But it is only the reflexes that you notice; the screen itself does not matter and there is no change in color or brightness where it falls.

When you watch a bright video – if you’re in a dark room without reflections from ambient light – you will not notice it. I certainly did not when I watched multiple YouTube videos of Carfection in our low-light studio. The same was true for an episode of Breaking Bad on Netflix. I honestly could not see any kind of shrinkage and could instead just enjoy the content on a massive screen.

Played now:
See again:

Either way, Samsung improved the Galaxy Fold

3:54

There is of course a cut-out hook in the top left corner (assuming you keep it in landscape orientation, and in the top right corner when it is in portrait mode). I’m pretty used to notches and cuts now from the recent iPhones and the Galaxy S10 Plus, so this was really not a problem for me and it did not ruin my view. If you do not like notches on other phones, chances are you will not like it here either. At least that’s the way it is many screen that the notch takes up relatively less space than on other devices.

Later in the day, I navigated my way through London’s labyrinthine Soho district, trying to find an office for a meeting. In the taxi ride, it was great to see Google Maps on that massive screen. On the street, however, I did not want to carry a massive – and expensive – device so openly that I snapped it shut and used the 4.6-inch exterior display.

For me, this display is just a little too small. It’s great to watch incoming calls, change music on Spotify or use as the camera viewfinder instead of looking like a buffoon taking pictures on a tablet. But the small size means you have to have the right fingers to type it in. Sending a quick reply to an email when a WhatsApp message is annoying, especially when you are running, but opening the phone to its full tablet mode may not be as convenient either.

It’s frustrating because that outer screen looks fitted. I would have liked it to go further to the edges, giving enough space to make it usable as a standalone device. At the moment, it is best thought of as a stopgap until you can find a moment to turn it into real tablet mode.

It was my first day with the phone, so I reserved judgment on the processor performance, camera quality and battery life until we could do a lot more testing. Read more about the performance of the phone in our in-depth Galaxy Fold review. Plus, here’s us review of the original design of the Galaxy Fold, with many more details from our sister site Tech Republic on what it’s like to use a folding phone.

Locks up with the original screen, notch and hinge of the Galaxy Fold

See all photos