Erencan YılmazThough Chinese foldable smartphones have quite characteristically ruled the international market in recent times, Samsung’s momentum in this changing segment appeared to have slowed. That was until the much-hyped release of the Galaxy Z Fold 7, as Samsung seemed to have finally turned the tables with a phone that redefined the limits of thinness and elegant design.
But early adopters and first-time users are now facing a strange and unforeseen problem: the Galaxy Z Fold 7 is so amazingly thin that it has become startlingly hard to unfold the phone. This unplanned ergonomic quandary underscores the fine line between realizing bleeding-edge aesthetics and guaranteeing sensible, user-friendly design in the quickly changing foldable smartphone market.
The Growing Problem: Too Thin, Too Grippy
The primary issue is that the Galaxy Z Fold 7 is extremely thin, making it difficult to open. One Reddit user, Joneep, recently explained their experience, stating that the sides of the Galaxy Z Fold 7 are “too thin” and don’t provide users with sufficient room to comfortably grasp it. This issue is exacerbated because the magnets in the phone are apparently “too strong,” requiring a great amount of force to open the device. Joneep even commented that they had to “sit down and laboriously open the phone” when they were out and about or needed to access it in a hurry.
Joneep is not alone in having this issue; many users are experiencing the same. Some users commented that it is a lot easier to open the device if you use a phone case, but they prefer not to have a case. A Reddit user, ZeCoderX, concurred, adding that putting on a full-cover phone case makes opening the phone a lot easier. CriticalDuckky, another user, noted that several reviewers experienced their hands slipping when trying to open the phone for the first time.
Community Solutions: From Grips to Techniques
As a response to this common problem, the user community has come up with a range of creative solutions:
Design Enhancements: User Djic proposed that Samsung consider incorporating anti-slip textures along the edges of the phone in future models. Additionally, Alternative-Farmer98 wished for Samsung to include a slight groove or indentation along the side of the phone to provide an easier grip to hold and open. Unfortunately, such design modifications are evidently too late for the already released Galaxy Z Fold 7.
Adhesive Grips: Some users have taken to makeshift solutions. Some have put CatTongue anti-slip tape on the side of their Galaxy Z Fold 7 (the user showed it on a Galaxy Z Fold 6, but it works for the Galaxy Z Fold 7). Some others said that Dragon Grips anti-slip tape also worked well.
Special Cases: One Reddit user, xRAMBx, recommended dbrand’s Swarm anti-slip phone case, providing additional grip for fingers. dbrand cases typically only wrap around the back of the phone and not the sides. This is an aesthetic improvement for the phone but not a help for the sides’ grip, which is thin. Another user, KillianReaver, suggested the SleekGrip anti-slip strip. This is a flexible strip that assists you in using your phone single-handedly and provides a stronger grip when opening the phone.
Opening Technique: Should you not wish to incur additional costs or utilize accessories, one user representative posted a simple method of opening the Fold7. Users should place their thumbs on the two edges of the folded phone, rather than placing them beside each other. Meanwhile, both hands’ middle and ring fingers should be placed on the hinge at the rear of the phone. This technique allows the phone to open at an optimal angle with a gentle downward pressure, meaning you don’t have to resort to using your fingernails.
This unexpected user feedback highlights the continuous challenges in balancing cutting-edge design with everyday usability in the evolving foldable market.
