Samsung Still Has No Idea When the Galaxy Fold Will Launch

[Intellectua1]

I was actually concerned about the initial June re-release date because that seemed too soon for a proper fix, I'm expecting a September/October release.
After seeing this thing I'm not buying another slab phone, I'm ready for a new experience.

 

[acblue94]

Samsung on Tuesday acknowledged that it is unable to provide a firm release date for its Galaxy Fold smartphone and has contacted pre-order customers in the United States to apologize for the delay (via Reuters).

In a statement given to Reuters, Samsung said that U.S. regulations required the company to notify customers that pre-orders would be canceled if the product did not ship by May 31.

The South Korean company originally planned to roll out its $1,980 foldable phone on April 26, but was forced to delay the launch after several units sent out to reviewers broke during testing.

After recalling the review units, Samsung contacted pre-order customers on April 22, saying it would announce a new release date "in the coming weeks" and would take measures to strengthen the display protection. The device's screen was shown to be vulnerable to debris ingress, thanks to an iFixit teardown that was later removed at Samsung's request.

The development is the latest in a series of embarrassing events for Samsung, whose hybrid tablet/smartphone was supposed to demonstrate the company leading innovation in the mobile space. Still, at least the device in its current state won't get into the hands of thousands of customers around the world, which would likely have turned into a larger problem.

Samsung has said it plans to make at least 1 million Galaxy Fold handsets in the first year of production, compared to the total 300 million phones it produces annually on average. It originally closed pre-orders for the device early because of "high demand."

Article Link: Samsung Still Has No Idea When the Galaxy Fold Will Launch

But who cares. Samsung was first to the market with this. First first first!

 

[Abazigal]

I don't know why they just don't use two separate screens with a fine line separating them. Those of us of old school put up with the trinitron mask for years and it didn't bother us.

But then Samsung wouldn't have been able to command, much less justify its $2000 price tag.

So Samsung had this pretty cool piece of tech lying around (folding screens), and they felt obligated to find a use for it, else all that R&D money would have just gone down the drain.

A classic case of engineering-led product design, which is completely different from Apple's design-led philosophy.

 

[idbuythatforadollar]

At least they're trying to innovate, unlike Apple shoving down the same stuff down our throats for the past few years and making us pay premium.

Innovation isn’t releasing an unfinished prototype to the people. I’m sure Apple has different prototypes of a folding iPhone but this is the exact reason Apple doesn’t release a product too soon.

 

[Gilligan's last elephant]

History is written by the victors.

Nobody remembers who did it first, only who did it best.

People remember who did it first Or had a famous failure.

Hillary and Tenzing

Captain Scott

 

[FFR]

People remember who did it first Or had a famous failure.

Hillary and Tenzing

Captain Scott

Like the note 7.

 

[Imdougurnot]

At least they're trying to innovate, unlike Apple shoving down the same stuff down our throats for the past few years and making us pay premium.

No one is MAKING you pay anything.

 

[iapplelove]

As much as I want to slam them I give them credit...at least they are tryin.

Apple failed at making a wireless charging mat and we should throw stones at Samsung? Nah...

 

[Intellectua1]

Too bad they just quietly changed the world once again with the Airpods.

I keep seeing people claim the Airpods are "revolutionary", "game-changing", and now your "changed the world". I'm sorry but they're just wireless headphones which were not new to the market. Serious question, what is so game changing about the Airpods?

 

[sinsin07]

You talking about the Fold or the Butterfly keyboard, because so far paying customers have only been exposed to the latter?

Nice try moving the goal post.
They didn't mention anything about paying customers.

 

[dannys1]

Many people here have an issue with the fact it doesn't work, not that Samsung released it. Whether or not its form factor has virtues is yet to be proven, simply because the product isn't ready for release.

I'm happy to suspend my personal incredulity about the user interface benefits of a hinged display, however to do that I would need an opportunity to try a working product. This clearly wasn't ready for release and that's what's so disappointing for a company as large and established as Samsung are.

To continue your thoughts of "if it's Samsung and not Apple", I can't help but feel a lot of the posters defending this product would be far more vocal about its failings had Apple released this half-baked mess.

Continually the voice of reason and intelligence around here.

 

[sinsin07]

Another obvious sign of double standards.

If said product had been released by Apple, the Macrumours servers would have melted under the sheer volume of posts calling for the heads of Tim Cook and Jony Ive.

Instead, when Samsung screws up, the internet collectively shrugs and dismisses it as "at least they tried". It's almost as through they never expected said product to succeed, but just can't muster enough enthusiasm to care.

It's funny how the internet tries to portray Samsung as somehow being equal to, or even beating Apple when it comes to innovation, yet refuses to subject Samsung to anywhere near the same amount of scrutiny.

Sorry to repeat but FFR summed this up in a one liner:

It’s only innovation when Samsung fails at it.

 

[no_idea]

At least they're trying to innovate, unlike Apple shoving down the same stuff down our throats for the past few years and making us pay premium.

How is Face ID not an innovation? It’s only a couple years old. Apple is innovation. They are just smarter than Samsung when it comes to being a first-mover.

 

[Compile 'em all]

At least they're trying to innovate, unlike Apple shoving down the same stuff down our throats for the past few years and making us pay premium.

Making a product that doesn’t work isn’t “innovation”.

 

[H3LL5P4WN]

*sad trombone*

 

[tridley68]

Galaxy fold has begun to unfold.

 

[TimUSCA]

A folding display in a form factor like that requires a lot of innovation.

OK, but you're praising a form factor and display that does not work. By your definition, any crazy idea is innovation because an idea is all Samsung has right now.

Furthermore, Apple innovates a LOT. Their innovation is just in the form of internals, not gimmicky crap nowhere near ready for public consumption.

 

[Abazigal]

I keep seeing people claim the Airpods are "revolutionary", "game-changing", and now your "changed the world". I'm sorry but they're just wireless headphones which were not new to the market. Serious question, what is so game changing about the Airpods?

They basically fixed all the issues I had with earphones prior.

For one, no wires.

The airpods fit nicely into a small charging case that slip easily into my front shirt pocket or jeans coin pouch. This makes them easier to transport around compared to having to coil up a pair of wired "wireless" earbuds or contend with a much larger pair of headphones.

They are extremely light and comfortable. I have no problems wearing them all day. Compared to headphones, which tend to press against my spectacle frames (and get hot after a while), or earbuds with those rubber foam tips that feel like I am a Q-tip stuck up my ear.

While there are drawbacks (such as average sound quality), I find they don't really matter all that much to me, and the convenience more than makes up for it.

I have not used another pair of headphones since I got my AirPods, and I don't see myself using another pair of headphones for as long as AirPods are around.

Now that's meaningful innovation (for me).

 

[LonderJan]

At least they're trying to innovate, unlike Apple shoving down the same stuff down our throats for the past few years and making us pay premium.

Trying is the correct word.

 

[2010mini]

This is bad for Samsung. Very bad indeed. I hope they do revamp and release this product as it will drive the tech world forward.

But it seems they did not do any real world testing before giving them to journalists. And then the flaws became apparent.

 

[BootsWalking]

I'll save you the suspense - it's never going to ship, at least not in 2019. The design is DOA.

 

[Khedron]

Nice try moving the goal post.
They didn't mention anything about paying customers.

Every thread on the Fold contains multiple posts that Apple only releases products when they're ready.

 

[sinsin07]

This!Removing all usb-a ports and replacing with 2 USB-C ports is Apple way of innovation! Now I have to carry an USB-C dongle to connect my yubikey. DIFFERENT and brilliant. The laptop with a protruding USB-C adapter sure looks like an Alien laptop from some future age!

Or sell a 29 watt usb charger (I know they now upgraded to 30 watt) is DIFFERENT. Sorry folks. Had to finally sign up to vent my frustration. I have been using iPads for 8 years now. My iPad Air 2 still works like new. But my less than 3 weeks NEW iPad pro 2017 already has a disfunctioning home button. Not to mention every time I type on my mid 2017 Macbook pro in a meeting, people look at me and sometimes even tell me to quiet down the keyboard noise.

Some of your problems are self inflicted.
If you didn't now about dongles and keyboard prior to purchase, shame on you.

 

[Abazigal]

This is bad for Samsung. Very bad indeed. I hope they do revamp and release this product as it will drive the tech world forward.

But it seems they did not do any real world testing before giving them to journalists. And then the flaws became apparent.

Well, to Samsung's credit, the galaxy fold's flaw would be so glaring that it basically crapped out after just a day of use. Rather than after a week or two when the product had already been shipped to users.

 

[sinsin07]

Every thread on the Fold contains multiple posts that Apple only releases products when they're ready.

Which is still irrelevant to the post you responded to.