Samsung became the first major smartphone maker to introduce a foldable phone in early 2019 with the debut of the original Galaxy Fold, beating rivals like Huawei and Motorola to the punch.
But that approach seemingly backfired for the South Korean tech giant. The company delayed the phone's launch by several months after some reviewers reported that their device had broken after just two days of use.
Now, Samsung is on its third foldable device, the Galaxy Z Fold 2, a successor to the original Fold that also inherits some qualities of the Galaxy Z Flip it launched earlier this year. But it'll put quite a strain on your wallet when it launches on September 18. The Galaxy Z Fold 2 costs $2,000, making it slightly more expensive than its predecessor and the $1,450 Galaxy Z Flip.
Even with its improved, more durable design, the Galaxy Z Fold 2 isn't for everyone — the price alone is enough to make anyone question whether it's a worthwhile decision. And there's certainly a learning curve that comes with using a phone with such an irregular design compared too your typical smartphone.
At this stage, foldable phones are still best-suited for early adopters that don't mind spending a lot of money up front and taking the risks that come with buying a product that might be a little ahead of its time. Foldable phones are still in their awkward teen phase so to speak: phone makers still need some time to work out the growing pains.
But even after just a day with it, the Galaxy Z Fold 2 gives me confidence that things will progress quickly. It addresses some of the original Fold's biggest setbacks, particularly when it comes to the size of its cover screen and durability. Samsung claims the new sweeper hinge will keep dust and debris from damaging the device, as was the case with the first Galaxy Fold.
Here's a look at some of the aspects about the Galaxy Z Fold 2 that immediately stood out to me.