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Korean tech giant Samsung 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 postpone its launch on April 26 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 (Dh7,273) 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 Fold - which is 5G ready in some markets - Samsung said it will release the smartphone in South Korea on Friday, followed by select countries including the United States, Germany and France.
The firm will also offer a programme to Galaxy Fold users under which the company would cover 70 per cent of the cost of screen repair once within a year of use.
Samsung Electronics shares closed up 3.6 per cent in Seoul.
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.
The world's largest smartphone maker spent nearly eight years developing the Galaxy Fold, but had to postpone its launch on April 26 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 (Dh7,273) 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 Fold - which is 5G ready in some markets - Samsung said it will release the smartphone in South Korea on Friday, followed by select countries including the United States, Germany and France.
The firm will also offer a programme to Galaxy Fold users under which the company would cover 70 per cent of the cost of screen repair once within a year of use.
Samsung Electronics shares closed up 3.6 per cent in Seoul.
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.
