Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

MacRumors

macrumors bot
Original poster
Apr 12, 2001
65,634
34,241



Ahead of the upcoming Galaxy Fold launch, Samsung canceled pre-orders for customers who had previously signed on to purchase the device earlier this year.

Samsung this morning sent out emails to pre-order customers letting them know that their existing pre-orders, many of which were placed back in April, have been canceled. Samsung cites a rethinking of the customer experience as the reason why pre-orders were canceled.

Galaxy-Fold_main1.jpg
Ensuring that you have the best possible experience with this revolutionary new technology is our top priority. We are taking the time to rethink the entire customer experience - from purchase to unboxing, to post-purchase service - so in the meantime, we have, regrettably, decided to cancel your existing pre-order. While not an easy decision to make, we believe this is the right thing to do.
Customers who had pre-orders will need to place orders once again when the Galaxy Fold launches in the United States later in September. Samsung is planning to launch the Galaxy Fold in South Korea on Friday, September 6, but the U.S. rollout is being delayed.

Part of the new ordering process will include Samsung's "Galaxy Fold Premier Service," which offers customers "direct access" to Samsung experts and an optional one-on-one onboarding session that walks users through the Galaxy Fold features.

samsunggalaxyfoldletter.jpg

Pre-order customers who had their orders canceled are receiving a $250 Samsung credit that's redeemable for anything on the Samsung.com website.

Samsung initially delayed the Galaxy Fold after multiple reviewers ran into issues with the device. Some experienced screen failures, while others mistakenly removed a protective screen component that wasn't meant to be removed.

Samsung reengineered the Galaxy Fold to address the problems and improve durability. The top protective layer of the display was extended beyond the bezel so that it looks integrated and not like a screen protector to be removed.

galaxyfold2.jpg

The top and bottom hinge areas were strengthened with protection caps to prevent dust from getting under the display, additional metal layers under the display were included for reinforcement, and the space between the hinge and the body was reduced.

The Galaxy Fold is Samsung's first smartphone with a foldable display, able to convert from a 4.6-inch smartphone when folded to a 7.3-inch phablet when opened up. It features a 7-nanometer processor, 12GB RAM, 512GB storage, six cameras, and an operating system designed for the folding mechanism.

The Galaxy Fold is priced starting at $1,980, and its new September launch date will put it in competition with Apple's 2019 flagship devices, which will be unveiled at a September 10 event next week.

Article Link: Samsung Cancels Galaxy Fold Pre-Orders in the U.S., Offers $250 Credit as Compensation
 

deeddawg

macrumors G5
Jun 14, 2010
12,467
6,564
US
Glad to see manufacturers exploring this space. There's certainly a market for a device that combines a larger display with smaller in-pocket footprint.

It'll take some iterations to get the kinks out of the technology though.
 
  • Like
Reactions: rjp1 and motulist

SoN1NjA

macrumors 68020
Feb 3, 2016
2,073
2,184
So people who pre-ordered it have the ability to get it for $250 off if they chose to re-order it and use the credit they received from their intial pre-order? Not a bad deal.
Pretty sure they get a free Montblanc case too
 

JPack

macrumors G5
Mar 27, 2017
13,482
26,092
Makes sense to collect positive reviews from South Korea first, before slowly launching worldwide, if it even comes to that.

The main purpose of this first-gen folding phone is largely to collect brand recognition points. This Samsung exercise was less valuable after Huawei showed off their product. It became even less valuable after flaws were discovered in Galaxy Fold review devices.

From a strategic perspective, a careful paper launch in South Korea is the way to go.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: max.ine

SDJim

macrumors 6502a
Aug 4, 2017
689
2,384
San Diego, CA
Wow they’re not honoring the original pre-orders, that looks bad. If you want it, you have to wait and buy it again.

The $250 is nice, but I think they should’ve fulfilled the pre-orders and given the $250 on top of that.
They will fulfill all new pre-orders. This move allows those who have since changed their minds due to no-confidence to be released from their pre-order without having to jump through any returns hoops. A helpful move. This whole thing is still a massive sh*tshow, but this makes sense to me. My only regret is not pre-ordering one myself to get $250 off a new soundbar.
 
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.