Samsung delays release of Galaxy Fold

Galaxy Fold launch date unhinged

by Andy Bassett
After cancelling launch events in Hong Kong and China due this week, the Wall Street Journal has spoken to sources that have now confirmed that Samsung has also cancelled the remaining launch events scheduled for 26th April.
Acting quickly after last week’s reports of problems, the South Korean firm gave out little information stating only that the delay would be until at least May and that further details on a new launch schedule may be coming in the next few weeks - clearly though that is dependent on the severity of any issues their investigation uncovers.

A statement from Samsung included an admission that “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.

The statement continued. “There was also an instance where substances found inside the device affected the display performance," which could have been a reference to the screen bulge that was encountered by The Verge’s Dieter Bohn, who postulated that it was due to a faulty hinge component working itself loose.

Samsung also confirmed that they would "enhance the guidance on care and use of the display including the protective layer,” clearly a reference to the attempts to peel off what appeared to be a removable protective shield but was, in fact, an important element of the screen.

With so much riding on the release of technology that could prove to be a valuable antidote to the design doldrums that current smartphones find themselves adrift in, Samsung has reacted quickly, no doubt keen to show how much they listen to feedback from their testers and reviewers.

"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.”

It’s likely that other companies, such as Huawei, who have plans to introduce similar folding technology on own their smartphones are looking on with great interest. Firstly to see how their own designs might be similarly affected by Joe Public’s unbridled enthusiasm for experimenting and secondly to see how well (or badly) Samsung emerge from this episode.

In their defence, Samsung has experience in this sort of thing after the Galaxy Note 7 battery debacle and this has been caught far earlier, thus reducing the potential for reputational damage.

Source: Wall Street Journal, www.engadget.com
Image Source: Samsung

Follow AVforums on Google News

To share your thoughts on the above, click the Discussion tab and post a reply.

Related Content

Ring video doorbell users facing a 40% price hike
  • By Ian Collen
  • Published
Samsung officially unveils the S24 smartphone series
  • By Ian Collen
  • Published
CES VIDEO: Sony Stand Tour
  • By Phil Hinton
  • Published
Wi-Fi Alliance introduces Wi-Fi Certified 7
  • By Ian Collen
  • Published
Apple Vision Pro set to launch in February
  • By Ian Collen
  • Published

Latest Headlines

Ring video doorbell users facing a 40% price hike
  • By Ian Collen
  • Published
Samsung officially unveils the S24 smartphone series
  • By Ian Collen
  • Published
CES VIDEO: Sony Stand Tour
  • By Phil Hinton
  • Published
Wi-Fi Alliance introduces Wi-Fi Certified 7
  • By Ian Collen
  • Published
Apple Vision Pro set to launch in February
  • By Ian Collen
  • Published
Back
Top Bottom