Samsung Galaxy Fold (12GB + 256GB) Review | 197 Data compared

After six months, the Samsung Galaxy Fold is described as a durable, "content consumption powerhouse" with an immersive 7.3-inch display and impressive 4,380 mAh battery life. While it excels in multitasking, the device carries a high $2,000 price tag, weighs 276g, and suffers from poor, unoptimized app scaling on platforms like Instagram. Ultimately, it is deemed a successful, pioneering device for the foldable market despite some awkwardness in camera usage and a cramped three-app view. Forbes

In its October 2019 review, Engadget describes the redesigned Samsung Galaxy Fold as a "stunning technical achievement" that remains a prototype-like experiment rather than a practical consumer device. While addressing initial flaws—extending the protective layer and capping the hinge—the $1,980 device still feels fragile, with the review positioning it as a tool for early adopters. EngadgetKey pros include a high-quality triple-lens camera system on par with 2019 flagships, excellent battery life lasting over 18 hours, and effective software features like App Continuity. However, the 7.3-inch screen remains susceptible to scratches and permanent "divots" from minor, everyday use, and the device lacks water or dust resistance. EngadgetSignificant cons include the narrow 4.6-inch cover display, a noticeable screen crease, and a bulky, "chunky" design. Ultimately, the review concludes the, high price and, durability concerns make it a difficult device to recommend for most consumers. Engadget

The Tom's Guide review describes the original Samsung Galaxy Fold as a "refined prototype" for early adopters, highlighting the 7.3-inch Infinity Flex display as a major pro for multitasking and seamless app continuity. While performance is solid with 12GB of RAM, the device faces significant cons, including a $1,980 price tag, a bulky, heavy design, and continued durability concerns for the delicate screen. Ultimately, the review finds the Fold to be a successful, albeit flawed, proof-of-concept, advising most users to wait for more durable, refined future iterations.

The Samsung Galaxy Fold is a pioneering "technical marvel" featuring a 7.3-inch inner display, a versatile six-camera system, and a narrow design that makes it surprisingly usable for one-handed operation. Key advantages include its unmatched "wow" factor, exceptional multitasking capabilities with up to three apps, and high-quality photography, according to TechRadar. However, the $1,980 price tag, the noticeable middle crease, and the device's overall vulnerability are significant drawbacks. The review also notes the lack of S Pen support, an uneven refresh rate that causes awkward scrolling, and a battery that drains quickly under heavy use. Powered by a Snapdragon 855 and 12GB of RAM, the device provides solid performance but is considered an unpolished first-generation product. TechRadar suggests most users should wait for future, more durable iterations.

The Samsung Galaxy Fold is described as an ambitious, first-generation device that, despite solid performance and excellent battery life, is hindered by high fragility and a $1,980 price tag. While praised for its 7.3-inch foldable display and innovative multitasking features like App Continuity, the device is considered a premature, bulky choice for most users. Key drawbacks, however, include a noticeable screen crease, a fragile display that developed a divot during testing, and a cramped, large-bezeled front screen.

Wired's review of the Samsung Galaxy Fold describes it as a "technological marvel" but also a deeply flawed first-generation product, ultimately awarding it a 5/10 rating. The review highlights impressive multitasking and a seamless "App Continuity" feature as pros, along with solid battery life and camera quality comparable to other high-end Samsung phones. Significant cons include the device's fragility, lack of water/dust resistance, awkward ergonomics due to its thickness and small cover screen, and a high $1,980 price.

Wired reviewed the original Samsung Galaxy Fold as a "magical" but flawed luxury device rather than a daily necessity, citing its large, luscious internal display ideal for multitasking but its bulky size making it awkward for calls and pocket storage. The device features a powerful Snapdragon 855 processor, "impressive" battery life, seamless "App Continuity" between screens, and a capable six-camera system. Significant drawbacks include its $1,980 price, perceived fragility, a narrow outer display with large bezels, lack of water/dust resistance, a visible screen crease, and a notch impacting video viewing.

CNET reviewed the Samsung Galaxy Fold as a flawed but groundbreaking "proof of concept" for foldable technology. Pros include its large 7.3-inch internal display, "App Continuity" feature, and multitasking capabilities, while cons center on its fragile screen, lack of durability against water or dust, a distracting notch, a small outer screen, and shorter battery life. Despite a premium exterior, CNET found the $1,980 price difficult to justify due to "baked-in" problems and advised consumers to wait for future generations.

According to PCMag, the original Samsung Galaxy Fold was considered a revolutionary but flawed first-generation device with a high price tag, significant bulk, a visible screen crease, and fragility issues like the lack of an IP rating and susceptibility to minor screen damage. Pros included solid performance, excellent battery life, image quality comparable to the Galaxy S10, 512GB storage, and included Galaxy Buds, while cons included the lack of a headphone jack and microSD slot, carrier bloatware, and a poorly visible outer screen in sunlight.

Samsung's Galaxy Fold is described as an ambitious but flawed first attempt at foldable technology, offering both a compact smartphone experience and a large 7.3-inch tablet screen. The device features 12GB of RAM, a powerful processor, and battery life that can last for two days on a single charge. However, the $1,980 price is hard to justify due to design compromises and durability concerns. A visible crease on the interior plastic display, a small 4.6-inch exterior screen making typing difficult, a thick feel when folded, a large notch, and lack of water resistance are significant drawbacks. The device is seen as a luxury item for early adopters, not a practical daily driver, due to design issues and reports of screen failures in review units, despite its "magical" folding mechanism and multi-tasking capabilities.

The Android Authority review characterizes the original Samsung Galaxy Fold as an impressive, albeit non-essential, technological showpiece, featuring a stunning 7.3-inch main display and a robust, "over-engineered" hinge. Key advantages include seamless App Continuity, effective multi-window multitasking, and a 4:3 aspect ratio well-suited for productivity. However, the device is hindered by a cramped, 4.6-inch exterior cover display, significant bulk, occasional software stutters, and a lack of IP-rated water or dust resistance. Despite adequate battery life, the high $1,980 price point and slow 15W charging make it a product primarily for early adopters rather than a practical daily driver.

The Samsung Galaxy Fold's launch was postponed after initial units experienced critical display failures within days, including a notable bulge and broken OLED panels, according to The Verge. Despite the device's innovative, pocketable, large-screen design being hailed as a major engineering feat, severe durability issues and a $1,980 price point made it difficult to recommend. The review concluded that software scaling issues and extreme, fragile, and debris-sensitive hardware rendered the first-generation product an unfinished product.

Consumer Reports describes the Samsung Galaxy Fold as a $1,980 "one-of-a-kind" device with a 7.3-inch foldable screen designed for multitasking. Key advantages include its innovative form factor, excellent 12MP camera, and 31-hour battery life. However, the device is considered fragile, failing a 100-drop test, with a scratch-prone screen and a narrow, hard-to-use outer display.

The original Samsung Galaxy Fold is highlighted as an ambitious, innovative device that transforms from a phone into a tablet, boasting powerful specs like a Snapdragon 855 processor, 12GB of RAM, and solid battery life. Key pros include this "wow factor" design, a capable triple-lens camera system, and the inclusion of Galaxy Buds, offering a glimpse into the future of mobile technology. However, the device is heavily criticized for its extreme fragility, particularly the delicate main plastic display that is prone to damage, and a prohibitively high price point. Significant cons include a bulky design, a cramped 4.6-inch outer screen that makes texting difficult, and a 7.3-inch inner display with a noticeable hinge and notch. Ultimately deemed a "technical marvel" rather than a practical daily driver, the Fold is seen as limiting due to its awkward form factor and lack of water resistance. While impressive to witness, the review advises against purchasing this first-generation device, characterizing it as too fragile for mainstream adoption.