Samsung said today that it cannot predict when it will be able to ship its innovative Galaxy Fold smartphone. As such, it will automatically cancel all preorders unless customers notify it otherwise.

“If we do not hear from you and we have not shipped by May 31st, your order will be canceled automatically,” reads a Samsung email sent to those who preordered the $2000 folding handset.

Briefly positioned as an example of Samsung’s technical acumen, the Galaxy Fold has become an embarrassment to the smartphone giant. Other phone makers, especially Huawei, quickly announced superior designs. And then reviewers who received the first Galaxy Fold units immediately began reporting serious design flaws. Samsung canceled preorders and promised to fix whatever was wrong.

That’s going to prove difficult if not impossible, as the Galaxy Fold will obviously require a major redesign. I will be surprised is the Fold ships this year.

Tagged with Galaxy Fold, Samsung