"Red Line Across the Screen" Foldable Phone Google, Just Ruining the Image

Foldable Display Failures and Malfunctions Surge
Consumers Complain... Harsh Criticism on US 'Reddit' Too

Google's first foldable smartphone, the 'Pixel Fold,' is struggling with display defect issues. At launch, it was highly anticipated as a rival to premium foldable phones like Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold and Flip, but it seems Google, venturing into foldable phones for the first time, is facing difficulties in quality control.

The US IT media outlet 'The Verge' reported on the 28th (local time) that the main issue with the Pixel Fold is being identified as 'display defects.'

According to the outlet, a significant number of consumers who used the Pixel Fold experienced screen damage. A buyer in the UK reported that a pink line appeared inside the display after just two hours of use.

The line initially flickered briefly during use but soon spread to the center of the display. Eventually, unable to tolerate it any longer, this consumer requested a refund from Google.

Pixel Fold display defect posted by a user on the US online community Reddit.
[Image source=Reddit]

Meanwhile, there was also a case where a display defect occurred after opening and closing the foldable phone only three times after receiving it.

Failures have reportedly been frequent. Ron Amadeo, a journalist from another IT media outlet 'Ars Technica,' reported that his Pixel Fold screen suddenly broke while he was using it.

Amadeo said, "I kept the smartphone on my desk and used it only in everyday situations," adding, "I never dropped it on the floor or exposed it to sand or dust."

He continued, "So far, buying a foldable phone feels like a gamble," and pointed out, "The more serious problem is Google's notorious after-sales service (A/S)."

Google launched the Pixel Fold on the 27th. This product is Google's first foldable phone and was also noted as a premium foldable phone comparable to Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold and Flip.

Priced quite high at $1,799 (about 2.37 million KRW) for the 256GB model and $1,919 (about 2.53 million KRW) for the 512GB model, it had garnered high consumer expectations even before its release.

On the 25th of last month, the Pixel Fold sold out immediately after pre-orders began on the US Google online store. However, as concerns about the stability of the foldable display have emerged, some consumers' dissatisfaction appears to be growing. It is reported that harsh reviews are pouring in on Google's page on 'Reddit,' the largest US-based online community.

Regarding this, Amadeo said, "The unstable durability issue is truly unfortunate because the Pixel Fold is an excellent product aside from this problem," and added, "A full review will be posted soon."