My First Month with the Galaxy Fold

Daniel Scarr
Nov 1 · 5 min read
Galaxy Fold Box

Release Day and the First Week:

The day had finally arrived: September 27th.

I had been waiting with extreme anticipation ever since Samsung’s first attempt at launching the foldable device. I spent many hours of the day refreshing Samsung’s product page and lamenting the delay on Reddit and on Discord with fellow perspective Fold buyers. Disregarding Samsung’s pitiful treatment of the original preorder holders, radio silence for several months, and the frustrating in-store-only situation of the relaunch, I was still incredibly hyped to finally get my hands on the elusive device.

First Boot of my Galaxy Fold

The first day held a similar kind of magic for me that the first iPhone launch had imparted. I never had the opportunity to actually use the Fold before, and my first impressions of the device were that it was surprisingly sturdy. The device was noticeably heavier than I had anticipated. Despite its heft and confident build, I still opened it with extreme caution and tenderness.

Seeing the device unfold for the first time was as baffling as it was the hundredth time. It was the moment where this heavy glass chocolate bar reminded me why I had set aside $2100 (after-tax) in the first place.

Taken on the Galaxy Fold (original quality lost by uploading)

The first day, I absolutely babied the device. I showed it off, handing it to friends only after having verified the length of their fingernails and monologued on the proper way to place their fingers to fold it closed. I stowed it in my bag or in a device sleeve, fearful of the potential for pocket lint or my Corgi’s fur would invade and destroy the hinge. After a week, being so exceeding cautious became both stressful and exhausting.

Letting Go:

After a week, I eventually conceded in my attempts to baby the device. I decided that it was not worth keeping the phone if I was always anxious about its durability. I had insurance on it and a backup phone if necessary, so I decided to try using the Fold without restraint and without worry.

Hinge Camera shot with proprietary leather case

And nothing happened. Here I am a month later, and the inner screen is still as flawless as it was on day one. I put it in my pocket without a second thought and no longer bother explaining the ‘rules’ for any of my friends using it. It was the best choice I could have made with the Galaxy Fold, because now the device made total sense. It became the multitool that had been promised in the promos, and suddenly I understood the revolution that foldable displays would pose in the smartphone industry.

I don’t fear the Fold being damaged nearly as much as I do being forced to go back to my backup Note 10. It’s a difficult thing to explain, and only something that makes total sense once you’ve used the Fold as your daily driver. To most of us that have used the Fold it does not need to be articulated. Other devices feel antiquated. The Fold makes all other phones just… boring.

Galaxy Fold partially opened with leather case

After the Honeymoon:

While I still get the same excitement opening the phone as I did on the first day, using it as a daily driver has made more apparent the device’s shortcomings. For one, the heft of the device has become an issue. While it makes the phone feel premium and you do get somewhat used to it, the weight can make extended usage sessions quite difficult on the wrist. It’s a balanced weight, so it’s still comfortable to use, but for reading or watching videos in bed I find myself needing to rest it on a pillow to prevent my hands from getting sore.

The sturdiness of the hinge is still there, but it feels slightly loose compared to the first week. It isn’t getting noticeably worse, nor does it augment the function of the device. It does, however, make me long for how it felt originally. To some degree, it takes away some of the satisfaction of opening it. It’s best described as ‘breaking in’ in the hinge. While it still feels unmistakably secure, I miss that fresh, confident snap of the first few folds.

The crease has had a similar change of being slightly more noticeable at an angle or under ambient lighting. But used looking directly at the screen it’s still virtually invisible.

Galaxy Fold opened at lock screen

Conclusion and Extra Thoughts:

The general performance of the device is similar to that of my Note 10. It’s excellent, and the software experience is surprisingly polished for a first-gen form factor. I have almost never found myself in a situation where application content was cut off, or that an app was unusable due to the aspect ratio; even with some uncommon third-party apps like my ‘puppy camera’ app from some virtually unknown brand.

Despite my praise, the Galaxy Fold is NOT for everyone. The phone is not as fragile as you expect, but the vast majority of consumers shouldn’t buy it.

I would only recommend it for those that meet these criteria:

  • You have a backup device
  • You can afford the phone AND a monthly insurance payment / the potential deductible
  • You’re educated on the limitations of the device (no water or dust resistance) and the foldable technology
  • You’re a technology enthusiast
  • You’re not particularly clumsy with your electronics

For those that meet these criteria, the Galaxy Fold is an incredible experience that always excites, and one that I would highly recommend if you’re bored with the glass slabs of the last decade. I feel no motivation to change devices until the second iteration launches… I only hope that the generation 2 launch goes smoother than the first.

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