Samsung’s Galaxy Fold Is Coming In September

The industry’s first major foldable smartphone is almost ready for launch, with Samsung saying it’s made a number of improvements to address design issues with the device.

After a three-month delay to fix issues with the Galaxy Fold, Samsung said the industry's first mainstream foldable smartphone has a launch date, with the device planned for release in September.

Samsung delayed the planned debut of the Galaxy Fold in April and did not provide a new target date for releasing the device. The tech giant still did not give an exact date, saying in a press release that it is "conducting final product tests to make Galaxy Fold available to consumers starting from September in select markets. Availability details will be shared as we get closer to the launch."

[Related: 5 Things To Know About Samsung's Galaxy Fold]

The postponed release has come in the wake of failed displays on review units for the Galaxy Fold.

Reviewers for several media outlets reported display failures on tryout units. Some of the problems apparently stemmed from the accidental removal of the top layer of the display, which the reviewers believed to be a screen protector. Not all reviewers reported issues with the Galaxy Fold display.

In its news release, Samsung outlined a number of design improvements to the Galaxy Fold. The top protective layer of the device's Infinity Flex Display "has been extended beyond the bezel, making it apparent that it is an integral part of the display structure and not meant to be removed," Samsung said.

The reworked Galaxy Fold also features enhanced reinforcements to protect against intrusion from particles, the company said. Those include a stronger material around the top and bottom of the hinge, added metal layers under the display and a reduced space between the hinge and body of the device.

Samsung said it "has taken the time to fully evaluate the product design, make necessary improvements and run rigorous tests to validate the changes we made."

Samsung initially unveiled the Galaxy Fold in February, calling it a "whole new category of device."

When closed, the Galaxy Fold has a 4.6-inch display on its top cover, which can be used to access apps as normal. When opened, the Galaxy Fold offers 7.3 inches of display space, using Samsung's Infinity Flex Display technology.

The foldable display makes use of a sophisticated hinge system that allows users to open and close the Galaxy Fold smoothly, according to Samsung. The device has a starting price of $1,980.

"I think it’s still early on with this technology," an executive at a Samsung partner, who asked to not be named, previously told CRN--expressing confidence that the issues would get sorted out. "It’s clear that [foldable] screen technology is definitely moving forward."