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Samsung Galaxy Fold: Eye-catching or a new gimmick?

CNET Asks: Samsung's Galaxy Fold stole the spotlight from the Galaxy S10, but do you really want it?

Nicolas Towner
2 min read
Samsung

Samsung's Galaxy Fold reveal kicked off Unpacked with a bang on Wednesday, showing off an eye-catching foldable phone with an astounding price tag of $1,980 (about £1,500 or AU$2,800).

It's a high price, but it does contain a lot of luxury-level specs. The phone has six cameras, two batteries, a 4.6-inch cover display when the phone is folded up, a 7.3-inch display when the phone is unfolded, 12GB of RAM and 512GB of storage space.

But unless you have money to burn and a craving to fold and unfold a phone, there's a pretty good chance you aren't going to buy it. Odds are the also-revealed Galaxy S10-family of phones will be a much more palatable purchase, and even the most expensive iPhone XS Max is cheaper than the Galaxy Fold.

Close up with the Galaxy Fold's original screen, notch and hinge

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So is the Galaxy Fold the next great phone innovation? Or is it a cheap trick that is commanding a super-high price? Many of CNET's commenters reside somewhere in the middle. Below are some of our readers' comments from our Galaxy Fold articles around CNET, and we'd love to know whether or not you agree with them.

Is being able to do this worth $1,980 to you?

CNET

Comments from around CNET:

"Foldable phones have been science fiction for sooo long. It's great it's finally coming to fruition. People have been opting for larger and larger smart phones for a reason. Foldable gives you both a small phone and a tablet." -- CNET member superkev72

"There's a lot going on. The folding hinge - does it fold then extend/retract to keep the polymer (plastic not glass) screen within the device shell? Why is glass considered "premium" material? How does the polymer compare to Gorilla Glass product? Water/splash resistance? Pocketable? ...looks like it when folded." -- CNET member DumpSty

"Not the least bit interested. All I had to hear was 2,000 bucks and I fell off my chair laughing. Just another rich man's toy. I don't see this thing getting too far at this price. Doesn't matter, really. I'm out." -- CNET member Raptor168A

This is just a small sample of all the varying opinions on this new phone. We'd like to see your reactions to them. Do you think this phone is just a gimmick? Or could it be something that really catches on? What are your hesitations or reasons for liking it? Will you buy one? Vote on the poll, and hit the comment section below to have you say. We can't wait to read your reactions.

Read more: If the foldable phones of the future look like this, count me in

Read also: Galaxy Fold outdoes the iPhone XS. Here's why you still won't buy one

Check out previous installments of CNET Asks here, and cast your votes on a wide range of topics. If there's a particular question you'd like to see asked, or if you'd like a shot at being featured in a future edition, join us at CNET Member Asks and submit your topic idea.

Watch this: Samsung flaunts Galaxy Fold at Unpacked