Tech

Samsung doesn't know when its $2,000 folding phone will be fixed and will automatically cancel orders

Key Points
  • Samsung will cancel all Galaxy Fold preorders if it can't make a fix by May 31 and if customers don't confirm they still want it.
  • Samsung says the move is to meet U.S. regulations.
  • The Galaxy Fold was supposed to be released on April 26, but has been delayed indefinitely while Samsung works to fix problems that caused early review units to break.
Samsung's Galaxy Fold screen is broken after just two days of use. This phone costs $2,000.
TodD Haselton | CNBC

Samsung does not yet have a confirmed shipping date for the $2,000 Galaxy Fold, its new folding phone that has been delayed after review units, including one tested by CNBC, broke before the phone was set to launch.

According to Reuters, Samsung said in an email to preorder customers that it will automatically cancel all orders if it can't make a fix by May 31 and the customer does not confirm a continued interest in it.

"If we do not hear from you and we have not shipped by May 31, your order will be canceled automatically," the email said, according to Reuters. A Samsung spokesperson told CNBC the cancellations are due to U.S. regulation requirements.

Samsung's Galaxy Fold was provided to early reviewers ahead of an expected April 26 launch date. CNBC's unit broke after two days. Other reviewers from Bloomberg, The Verge and The Wall Street Journal peeled off a special film that looked like a screen protector, causing damage.

The company asked for all review units back and delayed the release on April 22. Samsung said the phone needs "further improvements" before it's released to customers, including better guidance to let consumers not to remove the protective film on top of the screen.

Anyone who preordered the device will not be charged until it ships. Samsung says it is working to "strengthen the display protection" and has not yet provided an expected release date.

"Samsung Electronics America is committed to keeping our customers informed on the status of their Galaxy Fold preorder," a company spokesperson told CNBC. "While we continue to make progress in enhancing the Galaxy Fold, a new release date has not yet been announced. Because of this, we have recently contacted our preorder customers to provide them information on their options as we move forward."

Our $1,980 Samsung Galaxy Fold broke after two days, but here's what it was like before
VIDEO2:4702:47
A look at the Samsung Galaxy Fold phone features, before it broke