Re-engineered Samsung Galaxy Fold to make its US return Friday Sept. 27

Consumers who walk the bleeding edge and have money to burn will be delighted to know that the Samsung Galaxy Fold, the company’s near-$2,000 foldable phone, will be available to buy in the US starting Friday, September 27.

Samsung announced the news today, and says it re-engineered the Fold with “new materials and technologies” to resolve durability issues that plagued the first iteration of the phone. The company detailed what changes it made earlier this month. Specifically, Samsung extended the top protective layer of the screen past the bezel. It also made reinforcements to keep dust and other matter from making its way between the protective layer and the display itself. Last, Samsung added caps to the top and bottom of the hinge area, and slotted new metal layers beneath the screen for improved durability.

Galaxy Fold comes with personalized help

The company also revamped the customer service experience for Samsung Galaxy Fold owners.

To start, those who purchase a Galaxy Fold will have the option to meet with a specialist who will walk owners through all the core features of the phone and its accessories. The specialist can provide guidance on best practices to care for the phone, as well as handle basics such as transitioning apps, contacts, and photos to the Fold.

The Galaxy Fold Premiere Service provides Fold owners with 24/7 access to Samsung experts after onboarding is complete. These experts can offer tailored guidance and support for the device and are reachable via a dedicated phone number preprogrammed into the device. Owners can also contact the experts via video chat or in person.

Samsung says the Galaxy Fold “reimagines everything you can do with your mobile device, from seamlessly switching from the cover display to the main display or running three active apps at the same time.”

The company first teased the phone in November 2018 at its annual developer conference. The phone later made its full debut in February. The Samsung Galaxy Fold is among the first modern foldables — with a screen that bends — to reach the market. (Huawei’s Mate X is prepared to launch soon.)

Available at ‘select’ locations Friday

Where can people in the US buy this phone? Samsung plans to sell two variants of the Galaxy Fold. Select AT&T stores will carry the phone. (Other US carriers dropped it.) AT&T hasn’t specified which stores exactly will offer the phone. Samsung will also sell the phone directly to consumers at its own Samsung Experience Store retail facilities. Select Best Buy stores will also sell the phone. The Samsung and Best Buy stores will offer both the unlocked and AT&T versions of the phone.

The company has not made clear if people can preorder the phone ahead of time. The price remains unchanged from the initial launch, at $1,980.

What do you think? Do you trust that Samsung has made the right change? Are you ready for a foldable? Sound off in the comments below!