Samsung Galaxy Fold release date: re-launch set for September – with improvements

The Samsung Galaxy Fold – the ambitious, albeit expensive first major foldable phone – has a new release date window: September, five months after it faced reliability setbacks and a recall.

Its comeback story is destined to begin in select markets the same month we expect the iPhone 11, with Samsung availability details to come closer to launch, according to Samsung’s official statement today.

The September timing of the Galaxy Fold also puts Samsung’s foldable head-to-head with the foldable Huawei Mate X that’s supposed then, coming to China first.

Samsung promises Galaxy Fold reliability improvements

Samsung promises that the delicate hardware behind the Galaxy Fold has been fixed and that the company is “conducting final product tests.” CEO DJ Koh has gone on the record to say the company launched the phone before it was ready, and it looks to be correcting that issue this time around.

Notably, the thin, protective layer that looked like a removable plastic screen protector has been redesigned so not to confuse people who instantly usually rip those off of brand new phones.

Samsung also says it has sealed up potential debris vulnerabilities around the 20-part, dual-axis hinge, which is essential to the device folding and unfolding. Dust entered through gaps in the hinge, causing a second reason screens were breaking on a handful of review units.

Here are the changes that Samsung is promising with the refined Galaxy Fold:

• The top protective layer of the Infinity Flex Display has been extended beyond the bezel, making it apparent that it is an integral part of the display structure and not meant to be removed.
• Galaxy Fold features additional reinforcements to better protect the device from external particles while maintaining its signature foldable experience:
• The top and bottom of the hinge area have been strengthened with newly added protection caps.
  • Additional metal layers underneath the Infinity Flex Display have been included to reinforce the protection of the display.
  • The space between the hinge and body of Galaxy Fold has been reduced.
• Additional metal layers underneath the Infinity Flex Display have been included to reinforce the protection of the display.
• The space between the hinge and body of Galaxy Fold has been reduced.