Samsung has confirmed that the Galaxy Fold smartphone is now ready for market and will launch sometime in September. The manufacturer recently put out a press release detailing the updates it has made to the foldable smartphone, which largely coincide with prior reports on the device’s progress.
Samsung has laid out all of the hardware issues it has addressed to secure the proper functionality and safety of the Galaxy Fold. The device features a protective layer on its display, which has now been extended beyond its bezel so that is it not mistaken for a temporary cover that can be removed after unboxing the device. Samsung has also reinforced the device with protection caps at the top and bottom of its hinges to prevent dirt particles from getting under the display. The Galaxy Fold also now has metal layers set under its flexible display to make areas intended to be flat more sturdy. Samsung has also reduced the space between the hinge and the body of the Galaxy Fold handset.
The manufacturer has also taken the time to further optimize the Galaxy Fold user interface. The device is currently still being tested ahead of its launch. Samsung’s plans to release the device in select markets still remains. Though T-Mobile has since announced that it won’t offer the Galaxy Fold on its network. AT&T is another Galaxy Fold carrier partner, but the network has yet to give details on its plans to offer the device.
Samsung has not given an exact date for when the Galaxy Fold will be available to the market. Still, hearing an official word from the manufacturer is a step in the right direction.
After three months of revision, the Galaxy Fold is still gearing up to be the first foldable smartphone by a major manufacturer to market. Huawei’s Mate X foldable was announced earlier this year and the Chinese manufacturer also delayed the market launch of its product after seeing what happened to Samsung’s foldable.
The Galaxy Fold was supposed to release on April 26, but the device’s launch was quickly halted when journalists who received prerelease review models began reporting on a number of major malfunctions. Carrier and retailers were ultimately forced to cancel preorders for the Galaxy Fold after Samsung failed to give timely updates about the foldable. However, Samsung’s CEO, DJ Koh has since admitted that he rushed the Galaxy Fold to market and has taken responsibility for the device’s issues.