Has Samsung had issues with its devices in the past over firmware and hardware? Sure. The company has come a long way on both fronts culminating in exhibit A, the GS10+, which itself could have had more enhancements and innovative tech. One UI is light years better than TouchWiz. The design language of the smartphone itself maintained its identity and avoided being trendy by not having a notch.
As we learn more about the Verge pre-production unit, by their own admission, the site postulated the strong possibility that modeling clay could have worked its way into the hinge putting enough pressure to destroy the screen. Two other prominent bloggers, to be honest, were unintentionally negligent as well.
More news is bound to emerge about the fourth unit possibly being another case of negligence, maybe not because reputations take precedence over truth.
Foldgate is increasingly looking like Negligentgate. There has been such a rush to condemn Samsung who, by any reasonable standard, could have saved themselves a ton of grief by putting a warning label. As John Rettinger remarked, do we need a warning label on a boiling hot cup of coffee to know that we should take personal responsibility to avoid spilling and burning ourselves. Point being, don't delay taking personal responsibility just to gin up controversy for more clicks and monetization.
In the hyper partisan era, whether it be politics or consumer electronics, there is a rush to judgment, in this case, to condemn Samsung, without all the facts, rather than marvel at innovation resulting from eight plus years of effort to present a product which may forever change the smartphone landscape. Are there going to be some legitimate defective units? Bet on it. They will occur at a much higher rate due to the nature of generation one tech.
In order to enhance, innovate or repair, the device needs to get out in the hands of real consumers who will facilitate the generation two device. Second point is to do your own research with an open mind, to be honest about facts and not let bloggers with millions of followers shape how you make decisions. It's your decision and money, both of which you are responsible for.