Samsung’s Galaxy Fold smartphone on hold after breaking issues

Samsung is pushing back this week’s planned public launch of its highly anticipated folding phone after reports that reviewers’ phones were breaking.

The company had been planning to release the Galaxy Fold on Friday. Instead, it says it will have to run more tests and announce a new launch date in the coming weeks.

Several journalists reported issues with the phones last week while testing review copies. Some said the phone’s inside screens stopped working. Others removed an outer plastic layer that was meant to stay on and which protected the screen from scratches.

“While many reviewers shared with us the vast potential they see, some also showed us how the device needs further improvements that could ensure the best possible user experience,” Samsung said in a statement.

“To fully evaluate this feedback and run further internal tests, we have decided to delay the release of the Galaxy Fold. We plan to announce the release date in the coming weeks.”

Samsung says there could be issues when pressure is put on the hinges that open and close the phone. It plans to find ways to better protect the screens.

Galaxy Fold has a $US2000 ($2800) price tag.

The postponement may help Samsung avoid the deeper troubles of selling consumers faulty devices. The company suffered a major setback in 2016 with the recall of the Note 7 smartphone, which showed a tendency to burst into flames.

The episode cost the company billions of dollars in losses and damaged its reputation as it battled Apple in the premium smartphone market.

AP