Samsung has delayed the release of its new Galaxy Fold smartphone after reviewers experienced breakages within days of receiving the device.
As the first foldable handset from a major manufacturer, anticipation was high for the innovative gadget despite it having a price tag of around £1,500.
But journalists have posted scathing reviews of the product, which is designed to be similar in size to a normal mobile when closed but also capable of opening up to reveal a tablet-style screen.
With some tech reporters having labelled the Fold as "unusable" just 48 hours after being sent them by Samsung, the company has admitted it has problems and pushed back its release date.
The South Korean firm said an inspection had found the breakages could stem from impact on "exposed areas of the hinge" that allows the device to fold.
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It said it had also uncovered an internal issue that could affect "performance" of the display, but will carry out more tests before deciding on a new release date.
Launch events planned for Shanghai and Hong Kong this week have also been postponed.
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The screen on my Galaxy Fold review unit is completely broken and unusable just two days in. Hard to know if this is widespread or not. pic.twitter.com/G0OHj3DQHw
— Mark Gurman (@markgurman) April 17, 2019
Samsung had been confident the Fold would be a success, hailing it as "unlike any device that has come before it" ahead of its original US release date of 26 April. Its price there will be just under $2,000.
It features a whopping six cameras and other high-end features like an AMOLED display, a fast processor, plenty of memory and an AI assistant.
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