Galaxy Z Fold 7 owners and holdouts were likely troubled by recent reports that some Galaxy Z Fold 7 units were reportedly not unfolding properly in retail stores. The worry was widespread, deepening the belief among some that Samsung’s latest foldable had a defect. But now there’s a straightforward reason that could account for why the Galaxy Z Fold 7 doesn’t work properly — and it’s not because of a hardware flaw.
Recently, an insider familiar with the way Samsung sources its components revealed that this issue with the Galaxy Z Fold 7 is a temporary one based on its screen adhesive. The Galaxy Z Fold 7 has an adhesive layer applied to the main screen, the person said. If you leave the Galaxy Z Fold 7 folded for an extended period —say, demo units in stores — the adhesive requires some time adjusting after the phone is unfolded.
These would be less than perfect, unwieldy, or not that well made, and the first few folding and unfolding mechanisms attached to the Galaxy Z Fold 7 could certainly feel sluggish or unfinished. But after the adhesive is put to regular use, it becomes more responsive — the Galaxy Z Fold 7 is able to begin its intended unfolding with nary a hitch. You can also gently press or add some pressure to encourage the adhesive to set, though often it’s best to let the adhesive work itself out without force.
If you recently bought a Galaxy Z Fold 7, you may not be able to unfold it as soon as you unwrap the box. This is not a defect, or a manufacturing issue — it’s just how the material reacts to repeated folding over time. This won’t be new to anybody who knows what foldable phones used to look like. But, for those who are just getting started with foldable devices, it can be daunting at first.
What’s interesting about this problem with the Galaxy Z Fold 7 is that it makes us wonder how Apple’s own foldable iPhone will address such issues. Apple’s foldable, according to reports, would offer the most cutting-edge hinge and display tech to date, with the company trying to erase creases from the display to the greatest extent possible. But again, even the latest and greatest foldables are bound by physics.
Other than the sticky fetish, the Galaxy Z Fold 7 is one of Samsung’s most futuristic phones yet. The Galaxy Z Fold 7 is the flagship to end all flagships, with a premium build, powerful internals and an engrossing foldable screen. There are some compromises, like 4,400 mAh battery, and no S Pen support, but generally, the Galaxy Z Fold 7 is a fantastic experience.
For those concerned about performance or durability, do not fret: The Galaxy Z Fold 7 isn’t a lemon. Embossing resulting will be temporary and disappear when the oven is used repeatedly. The more people who use foldables, the more important it is for you to understand how they work — and in this case, it all comes down to the screen adhesive.
