Samsung delays launch of foldable phone

Samsung have held back the public launch of the Galaxy Fold, which was originally set to be released in the UK on 3^rd May, after some early reviewers reported their handsets breaking after just a few days. The tech giant have announced that they plan to “fully evaluate the feedback and run further internal tests”, but have not yet disclosed a new date, assuring that it will be given with the next few weeks.

The smartphone, which will be priced at a whopping £1,800, was evidently not made to be accessible to all its mainstream clients, but as the first model to feature a foldable screen, it was intended to promote the company as innovative and progressive, crucially propelling them ahead of their competitors, Huawei – who, though currently developing a rival product have yet to release any testers. Indeed, the company make the bold claim on their website that the “Galaxy Fold doesn’t just define a new category, it defies category”, capitalising on what they call the “biggest breakthrough since the mobile phone” (in hindsight, an unfortunate choice of words).

Impatience is a sign of the company’s hubris; perhaps their Chinese opponents are more familiar with the parable of the hare and the tortoise, for, in this case, slow and steady (relatively speaking) may well win the race. Indeed, Samsung’s plan has now backfired as, not for the first time, their allegedly next-generation, high-functioning hardware has caused them embarrassment in the tech world. Despite recalling their exploding Note 7s back in 2016, when deploying faulty batteries meant they were playing quite literally with fire, the developers clearly have not learnt their lesson.

The Galaxy Fold is, on paper, an impressive device, boasting a 7.3-inch Infinity Flex Display, which folds into a compact device with an external cover display. In theory, the phone would be a delight for gamers, who could have double the screen size for the more demanding software like the graphically impressive Asphalt 9: Legends, and a smaller, for portable size for online platforms. The model also promises a “seamless app experience”, with great specs and smooth-running software, as well as “six powerful cameras” that are presumably another attempt to match Huawei, whose developments in phone photography are world-renowned.

But in practice, far from hailing the handsets, various reviewers revealed that the hardware had broken in only a couple of days, despite the company claiming the phones should be able to be opened and closed 10,0000 times without suffering any damage. Samsung have commented that they believe the issues stem from “impact on the top and bottom exposed areas of the hinge”. However, it doesn’t appear this impact needs to be severe: some testers had even peeled off part of the screen, thinking it was a removable screen protector. In a statement, the tech label assured sceptics, “we will also enhance the guidance on care and use of the display including the protective layer.” We certainly hope so.

The editorial unit
Photo: Courtesy of Samsung