Samsung Galaxy Fold's Future Remains Ucertain
Samsung Electronics said on Tuesday it cannot confirm the shipping date for its foldable device Galaxy Fold yet.
Samsung delayed global sales of the foldable phone after reviewers discovered problems with its display.
“If we do not hear from you and we have not shipped by May 31st, your order will be canceled automatically,” the South Korean tech giant told Galaxy Fold pre-order customers in an email late on Monday.
Here is Saumung's email sent to customers and signed by chief digital officer Kal Raman.
"Thank you for your patience in waiting for the launch and shipment of your pre-ordered Galaxy Fold. As we promise in our email to you on April 22nd we're writing with an update on your order's anticipated ship date. As we mentioned in our last update, many reviewers shared with us the vast potential they saw for this new form factor, but a few had some issues.
We are making progress in enhancing the Galaxy Fold to make sure it measures up to the high standards we know you expect from us. This means that we cannot confirm the anticipated ship date yet. We'll update you with more specific shipping information in the coming weeks.
We understand that you are excited to get your hands on the category-changing Galaxy Fold and we apologize for the delay. As a reminder, your pre-order guarantees your place in the queue for this innovative technology. You will not be charged until your order ships.
If you don't want to wait, you may cancel your order at Samsung.com at any time before it has shipped. If we do not hear from you and we have not shipped by May 31st your order will be automatically cancelled. If you do not want your order automatically cancelled on May 31st you may request that we keep your order and fulfill it later. If you do request that we keep your order and fill it later, you still have the right to cancel the order at any time before we ship it to you."
"The top and bottom displays have been damaged by exposure shocks and foreign substances," Samsung Electronics said in a conference call that was held after the announcement of the company's first-quarter earnings. “We have changed the ship date to find ways to prevent the damage and make the product perfect. The changed release schedule will be announced and communication with customers will be strengthened on how to use it,” it said.
Samsung announced the $1,980 Galaxy Fold in February and scheduled to release it in the U.S. April 26, May 3 in Europe and mid-May in Korea. The smartphone features the world's first 7.3-inch Infinity Flex Display that works with 5G networks.