Samsung delays launch of foldy phone after bad reviews

Korean electronics giant Samsung was due to launch the Galaxy Fold this week but after a few of them broke in the hands of reviewers it has changed its mind.

Exactly how long that delay will be hasn’t been revealed, but Samsung will presumably take as long as it needs to perform the stress testing and due diligence it should have performed before handing over review units. As we previously reported, at least three different kinds of major flaw were uncovered almost immediately by some reviewers so this could take a while.

Samsung’s announcement were a case-study in marketing speak and general turd polishing. “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,” it said. “To fully evaluate this feedback and run further internal tests, we have decided to delay the release of the Galaxy Fold. We plan to announce the release date in the coming weeks.

“We will take measures to strengthen the display protection. We will also enhance the guidance on care and use of the display including the protective layer so that our customers get the most out of their Galaxy Fold. We value the trust our customers place in us and they are always our top priority. Samsung is committed to working closely with customers and partners to move the industry forward.”

In other words: people don’t want their two-grand devices to break within days so we’re going to make sure it doesn’t before we put it on sale. That’s totally fair enough but once the legal and marketing departments have got through with it we get the above. It looks like Samsung has also canned a couple of launch events, so it’s all rather embarrassing, but infinitely better than actually selling a dodgy device as Samsung knows well.