Samsung Galaxy Leak Reveals More Disappointment
Samsung's Galaxy Note8. Photo credit should read JUNG YEON-JE/AFP/Getty Images
Samsung’s hotly anticipated - and over-hyped - foldable phone failed to materialise at CES this year.
The Korean tech giant had been rumoured to offer a first glimpse of its new flexible smartphone at this year’s CES in Las Vegas. It didn’t. Instead we have a rumour - from Korean publication ET News - that Samsung is working to a late 2018, early 2019 schedule.
If that sounds familiar, it’s because it is. This mythical smartphone was supposed to have its grand unveiling last year, according to rumours published in 2016. Similar rumours about Samsung working to a Q4/Q1 strategy have persisted for years.
There’s no doubt that Samsung is working on a foldable phone, the company admitted as much back in 2011. It has been fairly open about this project. But the details, such as form-factor, functionality and, most importantly, when it’s coming out has been shrouded in confusion for years.
The phone was supposed to be launched in 2015, 2016, 2017 and now 2018. A quick Google News archive search shows these bold predictions have been going on pretty much since Samsung revealed the technology at CES 2013.
What’s going on here? It’s likely a combination of unfounded rumours and Samsung pushing back its release schedule, which, given the complexity of the technology, is understandable.
But today’s latest rumour from ET News, that Samsung will finally unveil its foldable handset in December 2018 or early 2019, should be taken with a pinch of salt.
Nothing to see here
It’s quite spectacular how little we know about Samsung’s foldable phone. Especially if ET News’ rumours turns out to be true and the phone is indeed launched later this year.
Typically, a handset from a major manufacturer suffers heavy leaks in its launch year. Smartphone makers are too large and too popular to keep a lid on things (there’s also a bit of deceptive PR involved too) and each leak corroborates the last.
But we don’t have that with this new foldable phone (commonly known as the ‘Galaxy X’). As I’ve said, the launch date has been pushed back yearly. The device itself is an unknown. We’ve seen patents that vary in form factor and concept. If the device is indeed close to production, then Samsung has done an excellent job of keeping everyone schtum.
At this stage we’d normally see leaks of press shots, dimensions from case makers and specifications. But there’s...nothing. Or, at least, nothing concrete. Does that mean Samsung has managed to keep its staff and associated third parties to strict non-discourse agreement or is the device nowhere near being ready? I suspect the latter, but we’ll just have to keep waiting.
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">Samsung's Galaxy Note8. Photo credit should read JUNG YEON-JE/AFP/Getty Images
Samsung’s hotly anticipated - and over-hyped - foldable phone failed to materialise at CES this year.
The Korean tech giant had been rumoured to offer a first glimpse of its new flexible smartphone at this year’s CES in Las Vegas. It didn’t. Instead we have a rumour - from Korean publication ET News - that Samsung is working to a late 2018, early 2019 schedule.
If that sounds familiar, it’s because it is. This mythical smartphone was supposed to have its grand unveiling last year, according to rumours published in 2016. Similar rumours about Samsung working to a Q4/Q1 strategy have persisted for years.
There’s no doubt that Samsung is working on a foldable phone, the company admitted as much back in 2011. It has been fairly open about this project. But the details, such as form-factor, functionality and, most importantly, when it’s coming out has been shrouded in confusion for years.
The phone was supposed to be launched in 2015, 2016, 2017 and now 2018. A quick Google News archive search shows these bold predictions have been going on pretty much since Samsung revealed the technology at CES 2013.
What’s going on here? It’s likely a combination of unfounded rumours and Samsung pushing back its release schedule, which, given the complexity of the technology, is understandable.
But today’s latest rumour from ET News, that Samsung will finally unveil its foldable handset in December 2018 or early 2019, should be taken with a pinch of salt.
Nothing to see here
It’s quite spectacular how little we know about Samsung’s foldable phone. Especially if ET News’ rumours turns out to be true and the phone is indeed launched later this year.
Typically, a handset from a major manufacturer suffers heavy leaks in its launch year. Smartphone makers are too large and too popular to keep a lid on things (there’s also a bit of deceptive PR involved too) and each leak corroborates the last.
But we don’t have that with this new foldable phone (commonly known as the ‘Galaxy X’). As I’ve said, the launch date has been pushed back yearly. The device itself is an unknown. We’ve seen patents that vary in form factor and concept. If the device is indeed close to production, then Samsung has done an excellent job of keeping everyone schtum.
At this stage we’d normally see leaks of press shots, dimensions from case makers and specifications. But there’s...nothing. Or, at least, nothing concrete. Does that mean Samsung has managed to keep its staff and associated third parties to strict non-discourse agreement or is the device nowhere near being ready? I suspect the latter, but we’ll just have to keep waiting.
More on Forbes
Apple Slowing Down iPhones Should Bring Back Old Feature
Gift This, Not That: Google Pixel 2 XL Vs. Apple iPhone X
The Galaxy X Will Cause Big Problems For Samsung
Apple Apologises For iPhone Battery Revelation
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