The Samsung Galaxy Fold's display seems to have problems • Hacker News Board

Re: The Samsung Galaxy Fold's display seems to have problems

#21

Post by jsgo » Wed, Apr 17, 2019, 8:10 PM UTC

roro159 wrote: post #15

simonwhite87 wrote: post #8

Can't understand the appeal of a foldable screen - it looks like shit (big crease down the middle and thick when folded) and for that I get a marginal improvement on idle surface area consumption. Would love to be proven wrong but I think it's going to be a monumental flop in regards to sales.

The pre orders sold out in 2 days: https://www.droid-life.com/2019/04/16/samsung-quickly-sold-o... The numbers aren't public yet, but it's probably low. I don't think they are dumb enough to expect this device to sell anywhere near the Galaxy S10 or an iPhone. It may not be a huge sales success, but apparently it's above Samsung expectations.

My guess is the main goal is to recoup R&D prior to a proper consumer launch. And you know what, I'm fine with that. Personally, I'm holding out for gen 2-3 of this form factor when the price comes down to Earth. But smart of them to get it into people's hands where they can get real testing as to what works and what doesn't for consumers.

Re: The Samsung Galaxy Fold's display seems to have problems

#22

Post by simonwhite87 » Wed, Apr 17, 2019, 8:11 PM UTC

spike021 wrote: post #13

simonwhite87 wrote: post #8

Can't understand the appeal of a foldable screen - it looks like shit (big crease down the middle and thick when folded) and for that I get a marginal improvement on idle surface area consumption. Would love to be proven wrong but I think it's going to be a monumental flop in regards to sales.

My guess is it helps people who don't like large phones (in terms of surface area) in their clothes pockets. Sure it'll be thicker, and maybe some people have an issue with that, but it would potentially fit better in some situations while still unfolding to a larger screen size for regular use.

If the size in the pocket is the problem, surely the extra thickness makes it more cumbersome? It would be like carrying one of those Anker battery packs around all day (the non-travel/portable ones) would it not?

Re: The Samsung Galaxy Fold's display seems to have problems

#23

Post by paul7986 » Wed, Apr 17, 2019, 8:14 PM UTC

wpasc wrote: post #4

Even if the Fold has some problems, I commend them for being bold with their design and ambitions. It may be safer to wait for the next generation of that phone, but many recent developments in the hardware space have been lacking in ambition. Kudos to Samsung

They seem to innovate faster then Apple like a recent example being Wireless PowerShare (charge one phone with another).

It's reported Apple will be adding that into the iPhone 11; wirelessly charge your watch or another phone with a charged or charging iPhone.

Re: The Samsung Galaxy Fold's display seems to have problems

#24

Post by Chris_Chambers » Wed, Apr 17, 2019, 8:14 PM UTC

wpasc wrote: post #4

Even if the Fold has some problems, I commend them for being bold with their design and ambitions. It may be safer to wait for the next generation of that phone, but many recent developments in the hardware space have been lacking in ambition. Kudos to Samsung

It was a terrible idea. Just because you can do something doesn’t mean you should.

Re: The Samsung Galaxy Fold's display seems to have problems

#25

Post by simonwhite87 » Wed, Apr 17, 2019, 8:15 PM UTC

jsgo wrote: post #18

simonwhite87 wrote: post #8

Can't understand the appeal of a foldable screen - it looks like shit (big crease down the middle and thick when folded) and for that I get a marginal improvement on idle surface area consumption. Would love to be proven wrong but I think it's going to be a monumental flop in regards to sales.

Due to best screen available. In that sometimes you only have your phone with you. Outside of the normal status-y nature of high end phones, I could see this being valuable to an exec/management as this would allow them to review Excel documents and PDFs on the fly when in situations where booting up a work laptop isn't ideal or possible (laying in bed, at an airport waiting on flights, etc.). In that particular scen…

"It isn't a problem really" - I think that's my problem with it - of course I appreciate the engineering involved in producing a consumer grade foldable screen but I just can't figure out who the target audience is.

Re: The Samsung Galaxy Fold's display seems to have problems

#26

Post by hinkley » Wed, Apr 17, 2019, 8:16 PM UTC

> 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.

How do you even?

Re: The Samsung Galaxy Fold's display seems to have problems

#27

Post by bunderbunder » Wed, Apr 17, 2019, 8:17 PM UTC

spike021 wrote: post #13

simonwhite87 wrote: post #8

Can't understand the appeal of a foldable screen - it looks like shit (big crease down the middle and thick when folded) and for that I get a marginal improvement on idle surface area consumption. Would love to be proven wrong but I think it's going to be a monumental flop in regards to sales.

My guess is it helps people who don't like large phones (in terms of surface area) in their clothes pockets. Sure it'll be thicker, and maybe some people have an issue with that, but it would potentially fit better in some situations while still unfolding to a larger screen size for regular use.

For comfort in pockets, volume might be a better measure. The Samsung Fold is a bit less than twice the volume of an iPhone XS Max, which itself falls pretty solidly in phablet territory from the perspective of people who don't like large phones.

My guess is that it's for people who want "phablet" to be a realistic description of their phone instead of a hyperbolic one.

Re: The Samsung Galaxy Fold's display seems to have problems

#28

Post by gzu » Wed, Apr 17, 2019, 8:17 PM UTC

Not sure if I’m in the minority but I would prefer two separated clamshell screens to one bendy screen. At least until the bendable tech is 100%.

Two separate screens would still allow great multitasking when necessary. When not used perhaps it can completely fold behind the device for a traditional smartphone experience.

Re: The Samsung Galaxy Fold's display seems to have problems

#29

Post by hinkley » Wed, Apr 17, 2019, 8:19 PM UTC

spike021 wrote: post #13

simonwhite87 wrote: post #8

Can't understand the appeal of a foldable screen - it looks like shit (big crease down the middle and thick when folded) and for that I get a marginal improvement on idle surface area consumption. Would love to be proven wrong but I think it's going to be a monumental flop in regards to sales.

My guess is it helps people who don't like large phones (in terms of surface area) in their clothes pockets. Sure it'll be thicker, and maybe some people have an issue with that, but it would potentially fit better in some situations while still unfolding to a larger screen size for regular use.

At current rates of phone growth, I will someday dislocate my hip by sitting down too quickly with my phone in my front pocket. I don't know how people who buy the oversized phones don't hurt themselves.

Re: The Samsung Galaxy Fold's display seems to have problems

#30

Post by pastor_elm » Wed, Apr 17, 2019, 8:20 PM UTC

wpasc wrote: post #4

Even if the Fold has some problems, I commend them for being bold with their design and ambitions. It may be safer to wait for the next generation of that phone, but many recent developments in the hardware space have been lacking in ambition. Kudos to Samsung

maybe there is not need for such ambition. Seems like cell phone companies are developing for the sake of development because they're dependent on the release cycle to make money.