Samsung is still 'enhancing' Galaxy Fold, but when will it launch?

Update, May 9, 2019 (2:32AM ET): Samsung has shed some light on the email it sent to Galaxy Fold pre-order customers, detailing why it’ll automatically cancel pre-orders unless users intervene.

“As per U.S. regulations, we are required to notify customers that their pre-orders will be cancelled in the event the product has not been shipped by May 31. Samsung Electronics America is offering customers an option to keep their orders past this date and customers may also cancel their orders at any time,” a company spokesperson told Android Authority.

In other words, it seems like Samsung simply wants to abide by U.S. law rather than actively discouraging users from pre-ordering the foldable phone.

Original article, May 7, 2019 (2:27AM ET): It’s been a pretty quiet few weeks for the Samsung Galaxy Fold, as the company investigates several defects reported by reviewers. The Korean company has reportedly issued an update this week though.

In an email sent to pre-order customers (obtained by Droid-Life), Samsung noted that it was “making progress in enhancing” the foldable phone.

“This means that we cannot confirm the anticipated ship date yet,” the Korean firm explains. The lack of a shipping date suggests the company simply needs more time to carry out required changes, or that it’s still investigating defects.

The email also calls for customers to tap a button to ensure they keep their Galaxy Fold pre-order. “If we do not hear from you and we have not shipped by May 31st your order will be cancelled automatically,” reads an excerpt of the message.

We’re glad to see the firm providing an update of sorts to consumers, although the automatic pre-order opt-out is a little strange. After all, what if you don’t have access to your email for whatever reason? Samsung will simply assume you don’t want a device you’ve pre-ordered anyway. Users have roughly four weeks to respond to the email though, so that should be plenty of time to make a decision.

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The delay comes after several reviewers reported issues with Galaxy Fold sample units. Several users accidentally peeled off an integral screen layer on the foldable phone, while a few others reported completely broken main screens.

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