Samsung reportedly plans a second foldable phone despite Fold delay

Samsung still hasn’t launched its first foldable phone, the Galaxy Fold, even though the device was originally scheduled to launch in April. The company hasn’t announced a new launch date. 

But according to The Korea Herald, Samsung plans to launch a different folding phone quite soon. 

In contrast to the Fold, which folds inwards, this new phone would fold outwards, just like Huawei’s upcoming Mate X. The Mate X has originally been scheduled to launch in June but that date, too, has been delayed — to September. 

Quoting anonymous sources familiar with the matter, The Korea Herald says that Samsung doesn’t have a fixed launch date for the new phone yet, but will likely launch it before Huawei does. 

There are no other details about this upcoming phone, but the outlet claims that suppliers have already begun mass production of its parts, and possibly the entire phone. 

The idea that Samsung wants to beat Huawei to the punch is plausible, but the September launch timeline seems unlikely. Given the developments surrounding the Fold, Samsung would likely have to squeeze the Fold launch, as well as the announcement and the launch of an entirely new device, in the space of two months. 

Foldable phones — one of the most anticipated smartphone categories this year — have so far been a total dud. Early review units of the Galaxy Fold broke down, prompting Samsung to delay the launch, with major partners including AT&T eventually cancelling pre-orders for the phone. Samsung has been saying a new launch date will be announced “in the coming weeks” since April. And Huawei said it’s canceling its Mate X out of caution, given what has happened to the Fold, though the U.S. trade ban imposed on Huawei in May likely had something to do with it as well.