After months of delays, Samsung Electronics Co. believes its foldable smartphone is finally ready for prime time.
The world’s biggest smartphone maker announced early Thursday that the Galaxy Fold will go on sale in South Korea on Friday, and in select countries such as the U.S., the U.K., France and Germany “in the coming weeks.”
The Fold had been slated for a spring launch, but it was embarrassingly delayed after a number of reviewers reported major problems, including easily broken screens. In July, Samsung said it had improved the design and construction of the phone, along with “additional reinforcements to better protect the device.”
On Thursday, Samsung said the Fold will feature a 7.3-inch flex display along with a 5G-ready option in certain countries. But its price tag — about $2,000 — may scare off budget-minded consumers.
“During the past several months, Samsung has been refining the Galaxy Fold to ensure it delivers the best possible experience,” the company said in a statement. “Not only we improved the Galaxy Fold’s design and construction, but also took the time to rethink the entire consumer journey.”
Samsung said the device will give consumers the best of both worlds — a tablet-sized screen that folds small enough to fit in your pocket.
“Consumers have responded positively to larger screens, and the Galaxy Fold’s revolutionary form factor offers a bigger, more immersive screen without sacrificing portability. This is what we call innovation of new mobile experience in action,” said DJ Koh, president and CEO of Samsung’s IT and mobile communications division, in a statement.
Samsung has high hopes for the Fold. In July, the company reported its second-quarter net profit plunged more than 50% as smartphone demand waned.
Last month, Samsung unveiled the Galaxy Note 10 smartphone to rival Apple Inc.’s AAPL, +1.70% iPhone.
Samsung shares 005930, +4.08% have risen 19% year to date in South Korean trade, compared to a 1.4% loss in 2019 by South Korea’s benchmark Kospi 180721, +1.13% index.
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