While speaking to a South Korean publication, Samsung’s mobile boss Dj Koh said that the company has investigated the defects which caused screen failures on the Galaxy Fold and will decide the future course of action regarding the launch of the device in a few days.
Initially, the various problems such as screen flickering and bulging were tied to the exposed part of the top and bottom of the hinge of the phone. In some cases, the issues were brought on by the users themselves, as they took off the protective layer that was an integral part of the display’s structure. However, the unsuspecting users can hardly be blamed, as the covering looked a lot like the disposable screen protector that usually comes with smartphones. Once the protective layer was off, external substances presumably penetrated the Galaxy Fold, which is one of the reasons why many review units experienced problems.
Samsung is done with the internal audit of the defective review units that it had recalled and is now taking measures to make sure that these problems do not crop up again when the phone is released. The company will make the exposed parts of the hinge more durable and reduce the gap between the protective layer and the display’s bezels to prevent foreign substances from entering the device.
When asked if the Galaxy Fold will be released in the U.S. within this month, Koh did not give a clear answer. However, he did say that it will not be too late, which means the device will most likely be released sooner than expected.
Samsung recently said that all Galaxy Fold pre-orders will be canceled automatically if the device isn’t shipped by May 31, unless consumers explicitly state that they are prepared to wait. Although this was apparently done in compliance with U.S. regulations, which require companies to send such a notification to customers when a product is delayed, the email sparked rumors that the Galaxy Fold won’t be released anytime soon.
To recap, Samsung had originally planned to release the Galaxy Fold on April 26 but after several media publications reported problems with the phone’s internal screen, the company decided to postpone the launch of the device. Looking at Koh’s recent statement, it appears that the company has resolved all the underlying issues that contributed to the problems. However, given the negative publicity that the foldable device has received in the past few weeks, it remains to be seen if consumers will be willing to fork over $1,980 on the device.
Meanwhile, Huawei is also gearing up for the launch of the Mate X, the company’s first foldable phone. Unlike the Galaxy Fold, the Mate X folds outwards, which apparently puts less stress on the display and makes it more durable. However, such a design also makes the display more exposed to dirt and debris, as the screen remains exposed at all times. So, it remains to be seen if the Mate X will fare any better than the battered Galaxy Fold.
Both Samsung and Huawei are expected to produce their foldable devices in limited quantities and the phones aren’t likely to make a significant contribution to the bottom lines of the companies. The first generation of foldable devices are more of a PR stunt and unfortunately for Samsung, the plan seems to have backfired.