Samsung has confirmed it will cancel preorders for the Galaxy Fold if it is unable to ship the device this month.
The South Korean company’s first foldable phone was scheduled to ship on April 26 but has been indefinitely delayed as a result of technical problems with its flexible screen.
Problems with the Galaxy Fold’s design surfaced soon after reviewers got their hands on early units. Samsung initially insisted it would still launch the device on April 26, but soon changed its mind and delayed its launch.
Samsung is yet to confirm a new release date. It has now apologized to customers who preordered its $1,980 smartphone and told them it will cancel many preorders automatically if it cannot start shipping by the end of this month.
Samsung will cancel Galaxy Fold orders
“If we do not hear from you and we have not shipped by May 31st, you order will be canceled automatically,” Samsung explained to U.S. customers in an email on Monday night.
A Samsung spokesperson confirmed to Reuters it would have to cancel the orders after this date as per U.S. regulations.
Despite its hefty price tag, Fold preorders came in fast. Samsung was forced to stop taking orders early as a result of “high demand.” It plans to make at least 1 million units in the first year.
Samsung will avoid another recall
The Fold’s future seems uncertain now, however. If Samsung is unable to eliminate the hardware issues and start shipping the device, there’s a good chance it will be canceled entirely.
Samsung will be desperate to avoid another mass recall like the one it faced when fans encountered battery problems with the Galaxy Note 7.
