Samsung reportedly delays US Galaxy Fold launch following widespread screen malfunctions
You might be waiting much longer to fold your smartphone after reports Samsung is postponing the launch of its Galaxy Fold to investigate malfunctions.
To paraphrase a famous country tune, Samsung knows when to fold ‘em and knows when to hold ‘em.
The South Korean tech giant has confirmed plans to postpone the launch of its much-anticipated folding smartphone today after a series of embarrassing hardware failures when issued to international media last week.
The Samsung Galaxy Fold, which analysts say could cost as much as $4000 when it reaches Australia, was due to launch in the US this Friday.
But Samsung this morning confirmed it would plan to shelve its breakthrough handset until at least next month while it investigates the source of multiple screen malfunctions with the devices.
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Several US journalists reported Samsung Galaxy Fold hardware failures within just two days of receiving the device.
Some errors occurred after the users removed what appeared to be a plastic protective film over the phone’s folding, 7.3-inch screen. For others, the cause of the malfunction was not as obvious.
Samsung is investigating whether the smartphone’s hinge was behind its screen failures, and whether substances inside the phone have affected the display.
In a statement, the company said it would “take measures to strengthen the display protection” and would be forced to take more time before releasing the folding phone to customers.
“While many reviewers shared with us the vast potential they see,” the company said, “some also showed us how the device needs further improvements that could ensure the best possible user experience.
“To fully evaluate this feedback and run further internal tests, we have decided to delay the release of the Galaxy Fold. We plan to announce the release date in the coming weeks.”
The US delay follows the cancellation of Galaxy Fold events in Hong Kong and Shanghai this week.
The new delay will also put the device’s local launch in jeopardy, after News Corp last week revealed Australians would have to wait until after the US, UK and Europe to see the world’s first folding smartphone.
Samsung Australia had been due to reveal a launch date for the device next week, days after the US launch.
Telsyte managing director Foad Fadaghi said the company would likely see “pent-up demand for the Fold” in Australia despite a price likely to “break the $3000 mark”.
But that demand could be dented by the phone’s new technical issues, according to GlobalData service director Emma Mohr-McClune.
She said creating a new form for the smartphone may also have created “new design vulnerabilities” that could worry both buyers and smartphone insurance firms.
“So far we’ve seen around half a dozen different ways to make smartphones fold and, in my opinion, not one of these pioneer models look rugged enough for public presentation or sale at this time,” she said.
“This new foldable design innovation triggered much scepticism from the industry analyst community, from the outset.”
Samsung’s folding smartphone is due to be followed by the flexible Huawei Mate X in the second half of the year.
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