SEOUL, Sept 5, 2019 (BSS/AFP) – Tech giant Samsung has said it will launch
its hotly anticipated first foldable smartphone on Friday, months after
faulty screens forced an embarrassing delay of its release.
The world’s largest smartphone maker spent nearly eight years developing
the Galaxy Fold, but had to hold its launch in April after reviewers reported
screen problems within days of use.
It was a major setback for the firm, which was hoping to spark demand for
its high-end phones with the launch of the $2,000 device, with profits
plunging in recent quarters in the face of a weakened market and strong
competition from Chinese rivals.
After months of “refining” the Galaxy Fold — which is ready for use on
high-speed 5G networks — Samsung said it will release the smartphone in
South Korea on Friday, followed by select countries including the United
States, Germany and France.
The Galaxy Fold has been widely promoted as the “world’s first foldable
smartphone”, while rivals such as China’s Huawei have been racing to bring
similar devices to market.
Samsung has a history of humiliating setbacks with major products, most
notably a worldwide recall of its Galaxy Note 7 devices in 2016 over
exploding batteries, which hammered its reputation.
The firm has also been caught up in the intensifying trade war between
Japan and South Korea stemming from World War II disputes.
The row saw Tokyo impose tough restrictions on exports crucial to South
Korean tech giants in July, and Samsung vice chairman Lee Jae-yong — who
called the situation a “crisis” — has visited Tokyo to secure materials.
Lee is currently facing a retrial over his role in a massive corruption
scandal that brought down former president Park Geun-hye.
He was initially jailed for five years in 2017 on multiple convictions
including bribery, which was reduced to a suspended sentence on appeal, only
for the Supreme Court to order a retrial earlier this month.
Analysts say the ruling could pose a serious challenge for Samsung.