The Fold is among a small handful of smartphones which allows the user to expand their standard-sized screen to a tablet-sized screen by ‘unfolding’ it like a book. When folded, the phone takes on the appearance of a long, thin smartphone but looks more like a tablet when unfolded to its full 7.3” screen. While unfolded, the user can use three apps at once. The phone has six cameras in total: one on the front of the phone, two on the inside and three on the back.

The phone/phablet has had a troubled history. In April, reviewers complained of serious technical issues with their sample handsets. They reported that the displays broke after just days of use, through all sorts of faults. The planned launch date was subsequently suspended to give engineers the opportunity to study and fix the faults.

According to Samsung, the Fold has now been updated with additional reinforcement; an extension to its protective layer to discourage its removal; strengthening of the hinges, and a reduction in the space between the hinge and body. Samsung also announced that it would be providing 24/7 support for owners with the ‘Fold Premier Service’ and one-year ‘Infinity Flex Display Protection’ to cover accidental damage.

At the IFA consumer electronics show in Berlin last month, Samsung announced that the Fold would go on sale in South Korea, the UK, Singapore, France, US and Germany in September.

This week, Samsung launched the “meticulously crafted luxury smartphone” in India. The device will be sold for R 140,790 (£1,620). 

“With Galaxy Fold, we have pushed beyond what’s possible and refined the mobile category, introducing a device like no other,” said HC Hong, Samsung’s regional president and CEO. “Samsung is setting an entirely new benchmark for smartphone design and we will continue to take consumer experience to the next level.”

The Fold’s debut in this key market has been overshadowed by mixed early reviews and speculation that the updated Galaxy Fold may still be struggling with technical issues in spite of the months of troubleshooting following its aborted Spring launch. Brian Heater of TechCrunch, one of the first journalists to gain access to a new sample for review, has revealed that his Fold broke after just one day of use.

“I pulled the Fold from my pocket while standing in line at CVS at work the other day,” he wrote. “I opened it up and spotted something new nestled between the lock screen’s flapping butterfly wings [wallpaper]. There was a brightly coloured, amorphous blob.” Heater suggested that this could have been caused by pressing the display to close the device.

Samsung has since recovered the faulty device from Heater to investigate the fault.

A Samsung spokesperson said: “We encourage Galaxy Fold owners to read the care instructions included in the box and in the product manual available online. Products used within these guidelines are covered under warranty. If they have any questions, Galaxy Fold owners can consult with Samsung product specialists through the Galaxy Fold Premier Service any time, any day.”

The Fold is among a small handful of smartphones which allows the user to expand their standard-sized screen to a tablet-sized screen by ‘unfolding’ it like a book. When folded, the phone takes on the appearance of a long, thin smartphone but looks more like a tablet when unfolded to its full 7.3” screen. While unfolded, the user can use three apps at once. The phone has six cameras in total: one on the front of the phone, two on the inside and three on the back.

The phone/phablet has had a troubled history. In April, reviewers complained of serious technical issues with their sample handsets. They reported that the displays broke after just days of use, through all sorts of faults. The planned launch date was subsequently suspended to give engineers the opportunity to study and fix the faults.

According to Samsung, the Fold has now been updated with additional reinforcement; an extension to its protective layer to discourage its removal; strengthening of the hinges, and a reduction in the space between the hinge and body. Samsung also announced that it would be providing 24/7 support for owners with the ‘Fold Premier Service’ and one-year ‘Infinity Flex Display Protection’ to cover accidental damage.

At the IFA consumer electronics show in Berlin last month, Samsung announced that the Fold would go on sale in South Korea, the UK, Singapore, France, US and Germany in September.

This week, Samsung launched the “meticulously crafted luxury smartphone” in India. The device will be sold for R 140,790 (£1,620). 

“With Galaxy Fold, we have pushed beyond what’s possible and refined the mobile category, introducing a device like no other,” said HC Hong, Samsung’s regional president and CEO. “Samsung is setting an entirely new benchmark for smartphone design and we will continue to take consumer experience to the next level.”

The Fold’s debut in this key market has been overshadowed by mixed early reviews and speculation that the updated Galaxy Fold may still be struggling with technical issues in spite of the months of troubleshooting following its aborted Spring launch. Brian Heater of TechCrunch, one of the first journalists to gain access to a new sample for review, has revealed that his Fold broke after just one day of use.

“I pulled the Fold from my pocket while standing in line at CVS at work the other day,” he wrote. “I opened it up and spotted something new nestled between the lock screen’s flapping butterfly wings [wallpaper]. There was a brightly coloured, amorphous blob.” Heater suggested that this could have been caused by pressing the display to close the device.

Samsung has since recovered the faulty device from Heater to investigate the fault.

A Samsung spokesperson said: “We encourage Galaxy Fold owners to read the care instructions included in the box and in the product manual available online. Products used within these guidelines are covered under warranty. If they have any questions, Galaxy Fold owners can consult with Samsung product specialists through the Galaxy Fold Premier Service any time, any day.”