Samsung Galaxy Fold: Difference between revisions

▲Critics also displayed concerns over the Galaxy Fold's susceptibility to damage by debris due to the lack of protection around the display hinge; after the screens of several review units were damaged in this manner, or by users accidentally removing a protective plastic layer on top of the screen (which could be mistaken as a standard [[screen protector]]). In response to these issues, Samsung announced that it would delay the release of the Galaxy Fold indefinitely while it addressed the problems. Samsung officially detailed its design changes in July, and released the phone in September 2019. The company claimed to have sold one million units since launch by December 2019,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.asianage.com/amp/technology/mobiles-tabs/141219/samsung-says-it-sold-one-million-galaxy-fold-smartphones.html|title=Samsung says it sold one million Galaxy Fold smartphones|website=www.asianage.com|access-date=2019-12-14}}</ref> but Samsung later denied having sold 1 million units, and admitted having reported sales expectations as actual sales.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.zdnet.com/google-amp/article/samsung-denies-selling-a-million-galaxy-fold-devices/|title=Samsung denies selling a million Galaxy Fold devices &#124; ZDNet|website=www.zdnet.com}}</ref>

▲A prototype of the Galaxy Fold (obscured to hide its final design) and its "Infinity Flex Display" was unveiled during a Samsung developers' conference in November 2018, demonstrating the adaptations to Samsung's Android distribution and newly-unveiled [[One UI]] software. [[Google]] stated that it would work with OEMs to support foldable devices on Android (an effort achieved natively in [[Android 10]]).<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.techradar.com/news/samsung-announces-one-ui-a-massive-overhaul-of-its-android-interface|title=Samsung announces One UI, a massive overhaul of its Android interface|last=Lambrechts|first=Stephen|date=2018-11-08|website=TechRadar|language=en|access-date=2019-02-23}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.theverge.com/2018/11/7/18072514/samsung-foldable-phone-screen-features-photos-sdc-2018|title=This is Samsung's foldable smartphone|last=Warren|first=Tom|date=2018-11-07|website=The Verge|access-date=2019-02-23}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2019/04/googles-second-android-q-beta-brings-a-floating-chat-head-style-ui-to-apps/|title=Google's second Android Q Beta brings us "Bubbles" multitasking|last=Amadeo|first=Ron|date=2019-04-03|website=Ars Technica|language=en-us|access-date=2019-04-22}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.theverge.com/2019/4/3/18293964/android-q-beta-foldable-phones-bubbles-chat-heads-multitasking|title=Android Q's second beta embraces foldable phones, multitasking Bubbles|last=Faulkner|first=Cameron|date=2019-04-03|website=The Verge|access-date=2019-04-22}}</ref>

▲After reports surfaced that Samsung had postponed a Chinese launch event, Samsung announced on April 22 that the launch (originally set for April 26) had been delayed indefinitely while they work to fix the issue, with plans to announce the new release date sometime within the coming weeks.<ref>{{cite web |last=Welch |first=Chris |title=Samsung delays Galaxy Fold indefinitely: "We will take measures to strengthen the display" |url=https://www.theverge.com/2019/4/22/18511170/samsung-galaxy-fold-delay-indefinitely-statement-screen-display-broken-issues |website=The Verge |access-date=22 April 2019 |date=22 April 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/samsungs-galaxy-fold-smartphone-release-delayed-11555941705|title=Samsung's Galaxy Fold Smartphone Release Delayed|last=Martin|first=Timothy W.|date=2019-04-22|work=Wall Street Journal|access-date=2019-04-22|language=en-US|issn=0099-9660}}</ref> Samsung later announced that Galaxy Fold pre-orders would automatically be cancelled if the device had not been shipped by May 31, and the customer had not otherwise confirmed their order.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.theverge.com/circuitbreaker/2019/5/7/18535075/samsung-galaxy-fold-cancel-orders-may-31-indefinite-delay-preorders|title=Samsung will cancel unconfirmed Galaxy Fold orders if it doesn't ship this month|work=[[The Verge]]|last=Porter|first=Jon|date=7 May 2019}}</ref> On May 24, 2019, U.S. retailer [[Best Buy]] cancelled all pre-orders.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.theverge.com/2019/5/24/18638391/samsung-galaxy-fold-preorders-best-buy-cancel|title=Best Buy cancels all preorders for the Galaxy Fold|last=Gartenberg|first=Chaim|date=2019-05-24|website=The Verge|access-date=2019-06-04}}</ref> AT&T subsequently cancelled pre-orders on June 13, 2019, announcing that it would issue refunds, as well as complimentary [[United States dollar|US$]]100 bill credits.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.gsmarena.com/at_t_cancels_galaxy_fold_preorders_will_offer_compensations_to_customers-news-37559.php|title=AT&T cancels Galaxy Fold pre-orders, will offer compensations to customers|website=gsmArena|date=13 June 2019|access-date=13 June 2019}}</ref>

▲=== Delay ===

▲On July 24, 2019, Samsung announced that it was now targeting a September release, and detailed design changes intended to help reinforce the screen and protect the hinge. There are now "caps" on the top and bottom of the hinge area, extra layers of metal under the screen to improve its sturdiness, and the protective layer is extended under the bezels to hold it in place and prevent accidental removal. Samsung also stated that it had reduced the space between the hinge and body of the device.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.theverge.com/2019/7/24/20726487/samsung-galaxy-fold-fixed-price-new-release-date|title=Samsung says it has fixed the Galaxy Fold and will release it in September|last=Bohn|first=Dieter|date=2019-07-24|website=The Verge|access-date=2019-07-25}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.theverge.com/2019/9/5/20850693/samsung-galaxy-fold-hands-on-ifa-2019-fixed-display-hinge|title=How Samsung fixed the Galaxy Fold|last=Warren|first=Tom|date=2019-09-05|website=The Verge|access-date=2019-09-06}}</ref>

▲Samsung issued more detailed care instructions with the new release, advising users against placing items or adhesives on the screen, pressing the screen with hard objects, exposure to liquids or small particles, removing the protective layer, and also warning about placing the phone near items sensitive to magnets (such as [[magnetic stripe card]]s and [[Implant (medicine)|medical implant]]s), ''The Verge'' felt that the new instructions were akin to "[[Direct-to-consumer advertising|a pharmaceutical ad]] that has to disclose dozens of [[side effect]]s". In the U.S., Samsung is distributing the Galaxy Fold solely through [[AT&T Mobility|AT&T]] retail stores, Best Buy, and Samsung retail stores. These outlets will be equipped to offer "Premier Service" for the device, including an orientation session post-purchase that will include device setup, data migration from an existing phone, and one-on-one instruction on how to use its features. The "Premier Service" program also includes a dedicated customer support line specific to Galaxy Fold-related issues, and the ability to purchase a one-time screen replacement out-of-warranty from one of the aforementioned outlets for US$149 (however, the device still carries a standard one-year warranty).<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cnet.com/how-to/galaxy-folds-fine-print-here-are-the-perks-a-2000-phone-gets-you/|title=Buy a Galaxy Fold, get a fancy concierge service for free|last=Dolcourt|first=Jessica|website=CNET|language=en|access-date=2019-09-27}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Bohn |first1=Dieter |title=Samsung will let Galaxy Fold owners replace their screens once for $149 |url=https://www.theverge.com/2019/9/24/20881040/samsung-galaxy-fold-screen-replacemet-premier-service-cost-unboxing |website=The Verge |publisher=The Verge |access-date=25 September 2019}}</ref>