Samsung Expected to Delay Galaxy Fold Release – Updated
To say that the launch of the Samsung Galaxy Fold has been subpar, is likely an understatement. With the device breaking for many of those who received review units, the company is expected to delay the public release of the device by at least a month.
According to the WSJ, Samsung is postponing the launch of the Galaxy Fold to address issues with the reliability of the hardware. The devices are breaking frequently, sometimes because of the user removing what looked like a screen protector but it was actually part of the display, and other times because the hinge was failing.
The delay of the release is the correct move by Samsung who experienced an even bigger problem with the Note 7 where the batteries were exploding. It’s clear that the company doesn’t want to take any chances with the Fold and considering that the frequency of the failures of this device appears to be far outside the norm for a new device, they really don’t have a choice.
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Worse for Samsung is that the brand image of the device is likely forever harmed. What was supposed to be a new flagship product for the company is now backfiring and the company is scrambling to figure out how to manage the situation.
If the device is only being delayed a month, Samsung must believe that they know of a fix and it is relatively simple. But if the company has to further delay its release, this could point to a bigger fundamental flaw in the design of the device.
[Update] Samsung is delaying the release of the Fold indefinitely and will announce a new release date in the coming weeks.
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skane2600
<blockquote><em><a href="#422497">In reply to lvthunder:</a></em></blockquote><p>These days laptops aren't considered included in the category of mobile devices although in many ways they are the best mobile devices. As far as tablets are concerned, can you buy any that run Windows? There are 2-in-1 devices that run Windows but I believe they are used more often like laptops than tablets. </p><p><br></p><p>So using the generally accepted definition of "mobile devices", I would agree with BoltmanLives, there aren't any significant Windows-based mobile devices available.</p>
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skane2600
<p>The good news for Samsung is that this problem is unique to their foldable phone and has no broad significance with respect to the rest of their phones unlike the Note 7 problem that might have made people wonder if Samsung phone batteries were safe.</p>
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skane2600
<blockquote><em><a href="#422516">In reply to JCerna:</a></em></blockquote><p>Although not nearly as futuristic, I like the idea implemented in the Hisense A6 Smartphone with a full color screen on one side and an e-ink screen on the other. You can use the e-ink side as a e-reader but can also display the standard Android screen and run applications. It would be great for reading or running apps in bright sunlight and would preserve the battery. It's an idea I came up with years ago (along with many other people I imagine).</p><p><br></p><p>blog.the-ebook-reader.com/2019/03/01/hisense-a6-smartphone-with-e-ink-screen-looks-nice-videos/</p><p><br></p>