Samsung South Africa has postponed the launch of the Galaxy Fold indefinitely in South Africa, following US media reports that it would be delayed. The local media event was meant to take place tomorrow in Johannesburg, along with the 8K QLED TV but now only the TV event will go ahead as planned, sans Galaxy Fold.

The company said in a statement emailed to South African media: “While many reviewers shared with us the vast potential they see, some also showed us how the device needs further improvements that could ensure the best possible user experience. To fully evaluate this feedback and run further internal tests, we have decided to delay the release of the Galaxy Fold. We plan to announce the release date in the coming weeks.”

“Initial findings from the inspection of reported issues on the display showed that they could be associated with impact on the top and bottom exposed areas of the hinge. There was also an instance where substances found inside the device affected the display performance.” 

“We will take measures to strengthen the display protection. We will also enhance the guidance on care and use of the display including the protective layer so that our customers get the most out of their Galaxy Fold.”

In case you missed it, a bunch of reviewers in the US had major issues with their review units, which had to be sent back to Samsung and replaced. Some peeled off the plastic film in error, thinking it was a screen protector. 

Either way, this is not great news for Samsung or folding screens, but they did recover from the Note 7 disaster, so let’s see what happens. Who knows how Huawei feels about folding screens at this point, having won over even the most sceptical with its Mate X folding device recently.