Samsung is set to unveil its new lineup of devices at its Unpacked event next month, with rumours that we'll see the Galaxy Z Flip in a new Mirror Gold colourway (as well as a 5G version). Galaxy Watch 3, Galaxy Note 20, two Galaxy tablets, and the Galaxy Z Fold 2.
The Fold 2 is the follow up to last year's Galaxy Fold which was Samsung's first foldable and had more than a few teething issues which were resolved for a re-release of the handset. And while the Z Flip took a different approach with its design, all eyes are on the Fold 2 to see what lessons Samsung learned last year, but it looks like the first one is not to rush out a phone that isn't quite baked yet, with reports that the Fold 2 has been delayed, and won't make the Unpacked lineup at all.
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This is absolutely no surprise. The software isn't even close to ready for a September launch and there is very few mentions of anything hardware wise. It's likely been delayed a bunch and that's why.July 11, 2020
XDA Developers' (and Twitter leaker) Max Weinbach has said the the Z Fold 2 won't be shown off at Unpacked, because the software "isn't even close to ready" for a September release, and added that that's why there have been "very few mentions of anything hardware wise," concluding "It's likely been delayed."
He goes on to suggest that the Galaxy Z Fold 2 won't launch until "at least October". After a bit more poking around, Weinbach presents more evidence of a delay, with the Galaxy Store user testing only happening for the Z Flip 5G and Note 20, and while there's a carrier testing the Fold 2, it's a recent addition and would usually happen much more in advance of a smartphone's release.
For the S20 series, carrier testing took place in January for a March launch, so if the same timeline applies, this also points to an October debut for the Fold 2 at the earliest. It's an important part of the process, as Weinbach notes:
"During carrier testing, carriers decide if they are going to support it, carry it, or even want it. A carrier could want it, have it go through testing and fail, then not carry it because it didn't pass their tests.
"Samsung can't launch a phone without having a definitive price, launch partners, final software, etc."
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Whether this means Samsung will opt not to show off anything related to the Fold 2 remains to be seen. After the troubled Fold launch, the company will want to instil a measure of confidence in consumers as well as building interest; that may happen at Unpacked with a brief mention or tease, or Samsung could simply gloss over the Fold 2 until it's ready to launch.
We don't have too long to wait to find out, with just over three weeks left until Unpacked.
Shabana worked at T3.com as News Editor covering tech and gaming, and has been writing about video games for almost a decade (and playing them since forever). She's had bylines at major gaming sites during her freelance career before settling down here at T3, and has podcasts, streaming, and video content under her belt to boot. Outside of work, she also plays video games and should really think about expanding her hobbies. If you have any tech or gaming tips, shoot over an email or DM her on social media.
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