The Google Pixel Fold was only officially released yesterday, and unfortunately we’re seeing some of the first big casualties of the Hot Foldable Summer. Reports of broken and damaged screens are starting to come in, ranging from “Hmm, this might not be great” to “Oh dear, the humanity.”
First, there is the very unfortunate incident that Ron Amadeo described Ars Technica experienced: OLED death without a doubt. He reports that a small amount of debris likely got into the small “chute” on the inner screen between the screen protector and the bezels and was smashed into the panel on both halves of the phone when closed. Owner of Fold on Reddit also reports some small dents in this same area of the screen – they haven’t noticed the screen acting up, but given what happened to Ron, it’s very concerning. Another Fold owner reports a nasty peeling of the screen protector along with what appears to be a scratch. I’m also seeing a faint scratch on the inner screen protector on my review device after just a week of use, which also doesn’t inspire confidence.
Also on r/GooglePixel, user marcusr_uk reports that a bright pink line appeared on the Fold’s internal screen after just a few hours. Basic lessons. That certainly sounds like the kind of damage that would be covered under warranty, and Google offers walk-in and mail-in repair options for the Fold. The company didn’t immediately respond to our request for comment on the situation, but we do know that it plans to let you tackle the DIY screen repair with a kit from iFixit if you’re a brave soul.
Pixel Fold owners are not alone in their suffering. Despite huge improvements in durability over the years, Galaxy Z Fold (and Z Flip) owners still report issues with screen protectors not sticking, screens cracking at the fold point, and hinges malfunctioning. Being prepared for something to go wrong is still a reality of foldable ownership, so it’s even more important to back up your device, be extra careful when using it in dusty environments, and purchase an extended manufacturer warranty plan if you can . Meanwhile, the Hot Foldable Summer party continues — maybe not on the beach.