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Samsung postpones the launch of the Galaxy Fold

The launch of the Samsung Galaxy Fold has been officially postponed. (Source: Samsung)
The launch of the Samsung Galaxy Fold has been officially postponed. (Source: Samsung)
Samsung has announced that it is delaying the launch of the Galaxy Fold. The decision was made following issues experienced with the display by reviewers through a combination of mishandling and potential engineering concerns.

Samsung has postponed the launch of the Galaxy Fold after early reviewers ran into issues with its high-tech foldable Super AMOLED display. The news follows the cancellation of planned launch events in China scheduled for this week and despite an earlier statement suggesting that Samsung might proceed with the launch as originally planned. The company says that it has listened closely to the feedback and still plans to release the device in the coming weeks.

This is what Samsung has to say:

We recently unveiled a completely new mobile category: a smartphone using multiple new technologies and materials to create a display that is flexible enough to fold. We are encouraged by the excitement around the Galaxy Fold.

While many reviewers shared with us the vast potential they see, 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.

Initial findings from the inspection of reported issues on the display showed that they could be associated with impact on the top and bottom exposed areas of the hinge. There was also an instance where substances found inside the device affected the display performance.

We will take measures to strengthen the display protection. We will also enhance the guidance on care and use of the display including the protective layer so that our customers get the most out of their Galaxy Fold.We value the trust our customers place in us and they are always our top priority. Samsung is committed to working closely with customers and partners to move the industry forward. We want to thank them for their patience and understanding.

The news will undoubtedly come as a disappointment to those fans of the device that had paid the US$1980 price of admission, especially as it comes so close to its release date of April 26. Nonetheless, it does appear from Samsung’s statement that it will need to reengineer aspects of the Galaxy Fold design. One thing, however, that won’t change (and this is made clear in the statement), is that a foldable plastic substrate will always require a foldable plastic protective layer. Samsung will now have an opportunity to properly educate the media and customers about the inherent limitations of its Infinity Flex display tech. It should, however, be applauded for the transparency of its response.

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Sanjiv Sathiah, 2019-04-23 (Update: 2019-04-23)