Samsung has finally broken the months-long silence on the innovative but ridiculously expensive Galaxy Fold smartphone. The company has announced that the redesigned Galaxy Fold would go on sale in September, just weeks after the Galaxy Note 10 hits the store shelves. Samsung wanted to clear the air on the foldable phone ahead of the Note 10 Unpacked event on August 7.
Samsung hasn’t given a specific release date, only saying that the device would go on sale in September. The redesigned Galaxy Fold will have the same price tag of $1,980. The Korean company said it would share the launch date as the launch month nears. It is currently conducting final quality control tests for the device.
One thing that hasn’t changed, @SamsungMobileUS confirms, is the price. It’s still $1,980.
— Ina Fried (@inafried) July 25, 2019
The redesigned Galaxy Fold will also bring a number of improvements to fix problems that early reviewers had encountered. The device was supposed to launch in April, but the review units Samsung had sent out to early reviewers suffered a number of display-related issues including flickering.
Samsung#GalaxyFold ready for launch starting from September. Find out more: https://t.co/9eIVHLeyHy pic.twitter.com/kDW8DnpE42
— Samsung US Newsroom (@SamsungNewsUS) July 25, 2019
Some reviewers peeled off the protective layer on top of the screen, thinking it was a screen protector. It caused irreparable damage to the screen. People who did not remove the protective layer complained that the screen would flicker and then unexpectedly stop working. Samsung decided to delay the launch and fix the problems. The pre-orders were canceled.
Samsung had repeatedly promised to provide a new launch date for the redesigned Galaxy Fold since April. Some speculated that it could launch alongside the Galaxy Note 10 in August, but Samsung would not want the Fold to eat into the sales of the Note line. Now we know that the Fold is going to hit the store shelves in September.
According to folks at SamMobile, the Korean company would launch the redesigned Galaxy Fold in fewer markets than previously planned. When Samsung prepares to launch a new phone, it usually conducts firmware testing in markets across the globe. But it has scaled back the Galaxy Fold firmware testing in multiple countries including the Netherlands and Italy.
The Korean company is currently testing the firmware in major markets including the US, UK, France, Germany, South Korea, and India, says SamMobile. It indicates that these markets will be among the first to get Samsung’s foldable phone. Samsung appears to be taking a cautious approach with the Galaxy Fold rollout. It may also have something to do with the shortage of materials needed for making foldable displays.
The delay has also given Samsung additional time to refine the software. Samsung says it has optimized “more apps and services for its unique foldable UX.” The Korean company said in a statement that it appreciated “the support and patience we’ve received from Galaxy fans all over the world.”
What display issues has Samsung fixed?
Samsung has made a number of changes to ensure that users don’t encounter the issues that early reviewers suffered. It has extended the top protective layer of the Infinity Flex display to beyond the bezels. It’s now apparent that the protective layer is an “integral part of the display structure” and it’s not meant to be peeled off.
The redesigned Fold also has “additional reinforcements” to protect the device from “external particles.” Many reviewers had pointed out that dust and debris managed to get under the display through the hinge, causing the display to malfunction.
Samsung has also strengthened the top and bottom of the hinge area with “newly added protective caps.” It has significantly reduced the space between the hinge and the body of the phone. It has also added metal reinforcements under the Infinity Flex display to make the plastic screen sturdier.
The Galaxy Fold packs 12GB RAM, 512GB storage, and runs Qualcomm Snapdragon 855 processor. It has a 4.6-inch cover display when unfolded. Folding the device reveals a giant 7.3-inch internal display with a notch. Samsung claims the Galaxy Fold has been tested to withstand more than 200,000 folding cycles without showing any signs of damage, which means it should last about six years if you fold and unfold it a hundred times every day.
