*ISLAMABAD – Tech giant Samsung has said it will launch its hotlyanticipated first foldable smartphone on Friday, months after faultyscreens forced an embarrassing delay of its release.*
The world’s largest smartphone maker spent nearly eight years developingthe Galaxy Fold but had to hold its launch in April after reviewersreported screen problems within days of use.
It was a major setback for the firm, which was hoping to spark demand forits high-end phones with the launch of the $2,000 device, with profitsplunging in recent quarters in the face of a weakened market and strongcompetition from Chinese rivals.
After months of “refining” the Galaxy Fold — which is ready for use onhigh-speed 5G networks in some markets — Samsung said it will release thesmartphone in South Korea on Friday, followed by select countries includingthe United States, Germany and France.
The firm will also offer a programme to Galaxy Fold users under which thecompany would cover 70% of the cost of screen repair once within a year ofuse.
Samsung Electronics shares closed up 3.6% in Seoul.
The Galaxy Fold has been widely promoted as the “world’s first foldablesmartphone”, while rivals such as China’s Huawei have been racing to bringsimilar devices to market.
*Related: Samsung finishes redesigning the Galaxy Foldlink*
Samsung has a history of humiliating setbacks with major products, mostnotably a worldwide recall of its Galaxy Note 7 devices in 2016 overexploding batteries, which hammered its reputation.
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The firm has also been caught up in the intensifying trade war betweenJapan and South Korea stemming from World War II disputes.
The row saw Tokyo impose tough restrictions on exports crucial to SouthKorean tech giants in July, and Samsung vice-chairperson Lee Jae-Yong — whocalled the situation a “crisis” — has visited Tokyo to secure materials.
Analysts have said the trade dispute will affect the delivery of Samsungproducts — among them the Galaxy Fold as it relies on a chemical filmproduced by Japanese firm Sumitomo Chemical.
Lee is currently facing a retrial over his role in a massive corruptionscandal that brought down former president Park Geun-Hye.
He was initially jailed for five years in 2017 on multiple convictionsincluding bribery, which was reduced to a suspended sentence on appeal,only for the Supreme Court to order a retrial last month.
Analysts say the ruling could pose a serious challenge for Samsung. -APP/AFP
