SEOUL (Reuters)-
A person directly familiar with the matter said on Tuesday that Samsung Electronics was retrieving all Galaxy Fold samples distributed to reviewers, and the company was hit by reputation for delaying the launch of its first foldable smartphone.
The South Korean tech giant was embarrassed before the device went public in the US. S.
Released on April 26, a small number of tech reporters reported a rest, bloat and flashing screen after using it for a day.
However, compared to the Galaxy Note 7 crash in 2016, the frustration of the $1,980 niche device was insignificant, when the exploding battery forced Samsung to scrap its flagship model at a huge cost.
Analysts and investors say Galaxy Fold shipments are likely to account for less than half of Samsung's annual shipments this year.
Samsung said Monday that while investigating the damage report, it delayed the release of the Galaxy Fold for an unspecified period of time.
It says the preliminary findings of the cause indicate the effect on the exposed area of the screen hinge.
A representative declined to comment further on Tuesday.
Analysts said that while the issue did not hurt Samsung's balance sheet, the delay hurt the company's efforts to show that it was a pioneer in innovation rather than a fast follower.
Daiwa Capital Markets said it had little impact on Samsung's revenue, but the problem could have a bigger impact on supply --
Rely on the chain of technology giants.
Samsung's share price closed at 0, reflecting the sentiment.
3% lower than 0.
Gain 2% in the broader market.
However, the decline in parts suppliers was even greater, with a 3% drop in hinge manufacturer KH Vatec Ltd.
One person who knows the supply chain directly said that KH Vatec conducted an internal review of the hinges used in Galaxy Fold and found no defects.
The supplier declined to comment.
Samsung has released a video showing the robot performing 200,000 durability tests on the Galaxy Fold phone.
In some cases, reviewers have stripped off a film that they consider to be a disposable screen protector.
Analyst Kim Young said: "It is disastrous for Samsung to send samples to reviewers without specifying how to handle the device --"
Mr. Wu of SK Securities
Samsung plans to sell 1 million Galaxy Fold phones this year, equivalent to less than half of 291.
3 million smartphones were sold in 2018.
Of the total last year, there were 12.
Note series phones are estimated to account for 8 million.
"On the good side, we have the opportunity to fix this before selling phones to a large audience so they don't have the same complaints," said a Samsung employee who declined to be named.
Samsung sends pre-by email-
Online media said on Twitter that customers were ordered after the release was delayed. “Your pre-
"Orders guarantee your place in the queue of this innovative technology," Samsung said in an email . ".
"We will update you more specific shipping information within two weeks.