NEW DELHI, April 25 : The Galaxy Fold is not the first foldable smartphone, but it is one of the most important foldable phones to have been announced. As a lot of people were getting ready to get their hands on this $2,000 device, Samsung announced that it has indefinitely delayed the launch of the Galaxy Fold. The reason behind the delay was because the flexible display showed issues soon after it reached the hands of a few reviewers prior to launch. And so Samsung’s worst fear was realised.Samsung plans to reveal a new release date for the Galaxy Fold soon, but the fact that the company had to delay the launch while admitting its Galaxy Fold may have issues hasn’t gone down well with a lot of people. Soon after reports emerged of some Galaxy Fold units breaking, the internet naturally went crazy with a lot of comments criticising Samsung and the Galaxy Fold.Durability of flexible displays was always a concern, but the Galaxy Fold showing display issues even before its launch will obviously worry buyers and hit their confidence about this next-gen technology. But criticising Samsung for making the Galaxy Fold should not be an option. In a time where phones have started to look similar – bezel-less waterdrop or punch-hole displays on a rectangular form factor – Samsung dared to do something different. Rather than wait for others to release a foldable phone first, Samsung took charge and wanted to lead by example.
Huawei is working on a similar thought process and is also among the first to come out with a commercially ready foldable phone with the Mate X that is scheduled to launch later this year.
These companies have taken risks and sometimes things don’t always work out. But one cannot say that the they have become stagnant. You will often hear people saying that brands aren’t trying enough or that there seems to be a dearth of creativity when it comes to launching new flagships. But while the Galaxy S10 looks similar to the Galaxy S9, Samsung also has the Galaxy Fold that looks nothing like any other phone.
Down but not out
Delaying the Galaxy Fold is a disappointment sure, but not a disaster. 2019 is an important year for Samsung as it celebrates the tenth anniversary of the Galaxy line. The company has been rapidly expanding its portfolio this year and its intentions to take on the competition has never been more loud and clear. But delaying the Galaxy Fold saved Samsung from a bigger catastrophe.
If Samsung had released the Galaxy Fold with its display/ design issues or without a clear warning to not remove the protective film, the company would have been staring at a widespread problem that would have been much worse and could have potentially killed the Galaxy Fold. But the Galaxy Fold is no Galaxy Note 7.
Samsung’s quick response to delay the Galaxy Fold after a few reviewers reported issues is welcomed compared to the slow burn response to the Galaxy Note 7 fires. After releasing the Galaxy Note 7, Samsung took its time to pull the flagship off the market, but by then the damage was done. After multiple incidents of the Galaxy Note 7 bursting into flames, consumer confidence was severely shaken.
But Samsung came back from the Galaxy Note 7 debacle with a bang (sorry). Subsequent Galaxy Note phones have been lauded for their design and performance. Moreover, Samsung has also increased the battery capacities in most of its Galaxy phones in 2019, which tells you something about the company’s confidence.
A step forward in innovation
Likewise, there is hope that Samsung will come come back with a better, improved Galaxy Fold for the market. A lot is riding on the technology to take off on a positive note considering the future of smartphones is moving towards flexible displays, and it shouldn’t be shunned so easily.
Samsung in a statement this week said that one possible cause for the display issue was that particles are able to slide under the display via the hinge. The company is investigating to find out other possible causes.
While the delay comes as an unfortunate setback, there is no denying that the Galaxy Fold is a step forward in mobile innovation. Foldable phones are coming and most mainstream companies have begun working on them. Samsung is one of the first brands to take the first step, and it will be interesting to see whether the company manages to see it through or whether the flaws in the design are too many to fix.
The Galaxy Fold may well fail to reach the market, but there is always a next time. Almost releasing a flawed product is still better than actually releasing it. Just ask Apple.
