Samsung Sold 1 Million Galaxy Fold Devices, Might Release New Foldable Early

Samsung has sold a million Galaxy Fold devices, a report reveals.

Samsung's first foray into the foldable smartphone race, the $2,000 Galaxy Fold, didn't have a great start. The Korean tech giant first tried to release it in April, but was forced to recall it after a humiliating experience: the displays on the review units it released to tech sites reportedly broke within two days of use.

The company worked hard at strengthening the device and made sure that it would be more resistant to dirt and debris. The tech giant finally released the device in September, months after it was recalled.

Despite the bumpy and humiliating start, however, the revamped device was able to rise from its humiliation and performed well in the market, TechCrunch reported.

According to Samsung Electronics President Young Sohn, speaking during TechCrunch's Disrupt Berlin event, the company was able to sell 1 million Galaxy Fold units since its launch. This number is a huge jump from the 500,000 units estimated to be sold between its September release and October – a two-month period.

“ And I think that the point is, we’re selling [a] million of these products,” Sohn said. “There’s a million people that want to use this product at $2,000.”

The high price, and the risk of getting a first-gen device with relatively new technology, makes this report sound even more amazing. Previous reports reveal that not a lot of people want to buy a smartphone that costs as much as two top-tier handsets. Nevertheless, Samsung achieved a great deal by succeeding in its first attempt at a foldable device.

What's next for Samsung?

Now that the sales figures are out, one can only expect Samsung to do what's obvious: release a new foldable handset. Previous reports revealed that the Korean giant planned to release a second-generation Galaxy Fold once the first model becomes successful in the market.

The new foldable device is expected to come in a form factor that's very different from the first Galaxy Fold. Whereas the first model folded in half like a book and feature two displays –a smaller screen on the outside and a larger display on the inside– the second model is expected to come in a more likeable clamshell form factor reminiscent of both the original and rebooted Motorola Razr.

And if a new leak from reliable leaker Ice Universe is accurate, it appears that Samsung's new foldable might be coming out early next year – Feb. 18, 2020, to be exact.