The launching is likely to ramp up competition in the maturing global smartphone market as Chinese rival Huawei Technologies plans to release its own foldable phone the same month, while Apple is expected to introduce its latest iPhone in the fall. In addition to rectifying the faulty display, Samsung said it also improved its user experience as well, optimizing more apps and services for the new phone. The company emphasized the ability to multitask on the Galaxy Fold, which has a 7.3-inch display when unfolded. The display measures 4.6 inches folded, meaning it can be held in one hand.

 

'Now, with Galaxy Fold, you can review charts while talking on a video call, and search information, all at once,' said Samsung in a statement. 'Galaxy Fold completely reimagines the smartphone, changing the way you interact, communicate and experience everyday life.'

 

Just as Samsung, Huawei primarily delayed the launch of its own foldable phone, the Mate X. The Chinese company said it has carried out further testing of the device with carriers and developers and will begin selling it in September. The time of the two releases is not coincidental, according to analysts.

 

'It's interesting that Samsung and Huawei together again target September to officially make their foldable phones available,' said Joey Yen, an analyst at research company IDC. '[But] that's part of their hope, to have another round of marketing campaigns [at the same time that] this year's new iPhone, the iconic smartphone, although not a foldable one, will be introduced.'

 

Samsung was the world's largest smartphone maker by shipments in the first quarter with a 21% market share, as stated by Counterpoint Research, followed by Huawei with 17%. Apple came the third with 12%. Some analysts say Japan's export curb on South Korea could alter production of Galaxy Fold, as Japan's Sumitomo Chemical supplies a key display-making material to Samsung. The Japanese government imposed the restrictions earlier in the month, which require domestic suppliers to obtain approval from the authorities to export hydrofluoric acid, photo resists and polyimides to South Korea.

 

Hydrofluoric acid, also known as etching gas, and photo resists are essential components in producing chips, while polyimides are used for manufacturing display panels. 'An end-product that could be affected is the Samsung Galaxy Fold smartphone. The display of the Samsung Galaxy Fold is produced utilizing fluorinated polyimide film from Sumitomo Chemical, which is a Japanese electronic materials firm,' said Tadashi Uno, display research director at IHS Markit. But Uno said that Samsung has a plan to replace Sumitomo. 'South Korea-based Kolon Industries could act as an alternative supplier for the Samsung foldable smartphone display.'

 

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