Archive: June 13, 2019. AT&T canceled preorders for Samsung’s original Galaxy Fold after the handset’s release was delayed. A notice sent to affected customers offered a $100 AT&T promotional card per customer.
Correction: the original headline incorrectly referred to “$100 million” promotional cards. The reported offer was $100 for an affected customer. It was not a $100 million individual award or a verified $100 million total program. This correction retains the original article’s URL and publication context.
What the cancellation notice said
AT&T’s customer email, reproduced in contemporaneous reporting, explained that Samsung’s delay meant the carrier could not ship the phone and had to cancel the preorder. It said customers who had already been charged would receive a refund and that the promotional card would be sent within 60 days.
The notice was documented by Tom’s Guide and reproduced in TechSpot’s June 13, 2019 report. Those details describe the carrier’s notice at that time; they are not a current offer or a present-day refund policy.
Why the original Fold was delayed
In its April 22, 2019 announcement, Samsung said it was postponing the release to evaluate reviewer feedback and conduct further internal tests. It identified issues around exposed hinge areas and an instance of material entering the device and affecting the display.
Samsung also said it would strengthen display protection and improve guidance about caring for the screen, including its protective layer. The explanation was broader than simply blaming reviewers for removing a screen layer.
What happened later
At the time of the June cancellation, customers were waiting for a revised launch. Samsung later announced U.S. availability beginning September 27, 2019, including availability through select AT&T locations.
That later launch provides closure to the historical story. This article concerns the first Galaxy Fold in 2019, not current Galaxy Z Fold devices, current preorder terms or an active promotional-card offer.
Image note: Archival image of the original Galaxy Fold, discussed here in the context of its 2019 launch delay.
