Samsung will not debut its Galaxy Fold smartphone in the U.S. on Friday, as originally planned. The decision came after tech reviewers reported screen malfunctions on their test phones.
"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,” Samsung said in a statement. “To fully evaluate this feedback and run further internal tests, we have decided to delay the release of the Galaxy Fold.”
Mark Spoonauer, the editor in chief at Tom's Guide and Laptop Mag, has been testing out the Galaxy Fold over the last week and admitted that Samsung botched the rollout.
“When you’re trying to launch an entire new product category, you got to make sure you get it right,” Spoonauer told Cheddar Business. “It’s possible that this is just premature.”
Nonetheless, Spoonauer praised features like the 7.3-inch tablet view. Samsung has spent eight years developing the nearly $2,000 phone.
“I think what’s happening is that there is a quality control issue with this phone,” Spoonauer said. “There’s a difference between saying that a phone is gonna fold and fold again 200,000 times in a lab and getting it into people’s hands. I think that’s what Samsung is finding out right now.”
Despite the setback, Spoonauer believes that the world’s biggest phone maker won’t run into much financial trouble because of the failed rollout.
“I think this is more of a reputation hit than a revenue hit,” Spoonauer said. “Despite the fact that it’s a $2,000 phone and the profit margins would’ve been high, they did say this was gonna be a limited production run so I don’t think the bottom line necessarily gonna hurt right away.”
Samsung is now offering refunds to people who pre-ordered the device, allowing them to cancel at any time before their Galaxy Fold ships.
“I think that you should try to get your money back... I’m not sure I’m willing to take that sort of risk,” Spoonauer advised. “I would wait to get the results of these inspections to see what’s gonna happen with the phone before you dive head first.”
Samsung did not give a clear timeline on the Galaxy Fold but The Wall Street Journal reported earlier Friday that the phone won’t be released until next month at the earliest.
“Everyone that has a foldable phone that’s coming to market, they should go back to the drawing board right now and make sure that they have the right quality checks in place,” Spoonauer added. “You can’t make a second impression.”
