Samsung’s China unit has withdrawn invitations to reporters for the launch of its foldable phone, the Galaxy Fold, originally scheduled for Wednesday in Shanghai, Chinese media outlet National Business Daily reported on Sunday.
Samsung China said the cancellation was due to “reasons related to the site.” The company has not indicated a new date (or location) for the launch.
The Galaxy Fold’s delayed introduction into China comes after multiple media outlets have reported that the USD 2,000 foldable phone broke after mere days during test runs by journalists.
The chairman and CEO of the world’s largest personal computer maker Lenovo, Yang Yuanqing, poked fun at foldable phones shown at February’s Mobile World Congress in Spain. He said they could only be displayed behind glass so that no one could try them out.
Yang added that these phones, without naming specific brands, have not surpassed the development of Lenovo’s concept bendable phones, which were unveiled three years ago.
At the fair, Samsung showcased its Galaxy Fold and said that it expected the new model to be ready for sale in some markets by April 26.
Contact the writer at jingli@kr-asia.com