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Galaxy Fold screens are reportedly breaking already for some early users

Don't remove that protective layer.

Carrie Mihalcik Former Managing Editor / News
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The Galaxy Fold, Samsung's first foldable phone, is reportedly already having screen problems. It doesn't go on sale in the US until April 26, but some review units have reportedly broken after just a few days of use.

Bloomberg's Mark Gruman tweeted on Wednesday that the interior, folding screen of his Galaxy Fold review unit was "completely broken and unusable" after two days.

Gurman went on to say the problem may have been caused in part by removing a layer of film.

"The phone comes with this protective layer/film. Samsung says you are not supposed to remove it," he tweeted.  "I removed it, not knowing you're not supposed to (consumers won't know either). It appeared removable in the left corner, so I took it off. I believe this contributed to the problem."

YouTuber Marques Brownlee also took to Twitter to warn against removing the film. 

"PSA: There's a layer that appears to be a screen protector on the Galaxy Fold's display. It's NOT a screen protector. Do NOT remove it," he wrote, along with an image showing how he'd tried to take off the layer. "I got this far peeling it off before the display spazzed and blacked out. Started over with a replacement."

Samsung says its phone "is manufactured with a special protective layer," to cover the plastic Infinity Flex display. "It is not a screen protector – do not attempt to remove it," Samsung says.

CNET has been handling and reviewing the Galaxy Fold since Monday but hasn't experienced any such screen issues. We didn't remove the protective layer.

Read: Why Galaxy Fold screens are having a meltdown

The $1,980 phone has two screens: a 4.6-inch one on the exterior that looks like a typical smartphone screen, and a second, folding screen on the interior that opens up to create a 7.3-inch display. It's one of a number of foldable phones set to come on the market from manufacturers including Huawei and Motorola .

The Verge's Dieter Bohn also reported that the screen on his Galaxy Fold review unit broke after two days of normal use. A small bulge reportedly developed near the crease of the Galaxy Fold, eventually breaking the screen.

CNBC's Steve Kovach also shared video and images of the screen glitching, and Todd Haselton reported the outlet didn't take off the protective layer.

Samsung didn't immediately respond to a request for comment, but told Reuters in a statement that it'll "thoroughly inspect these units ... to determine the cause of the matter." It also told the outlet that the Fold's release schedule remained unchanged, despite the malfunction reports.

Watch this: Epic Galaxy Fold unboxing: Samsung makes it count

Originally published April 17, 11:54 a.m. PT.
Updated April 18, 4:41 a.m. PT: Notes Samsung's statement to Reuters.