【Australia】

It's been a long,Australia long wait, but the Samsung Galaxy Fold is finally arriving in the U.S.

The $2,000 smartphone with over-the-top specs and a giant, foldable screen will become available on Friday, Sept. 27. Consumers will be able to buy a locked version at AT&T or an unlocked version at select Best Buy stores, as well as Samsung Experience stores (these will also offer the AT&T version).

The Galaxy Fold was originally scheduled to be launched in April, but issues with review units, which in many cases malfunctioned after just days of use, delayed the launch until Sept. 18, when the device was launched in Korea.

The improved version of the Fold, which Samsung brought to this year's IFA trade show in Berlin, has an improved hinge, a reinforced screen and a better, peel-proof protective cover for the foldable screen. I had some hands-on time with it and it did feel quite sturdy, but it's hard to say how long it will last during regular use.

In a recent video, Samsung provides instructions for caring for the Fold, and these include "using a light touch," keeping the device free from water and dust, and being mindful of objects getting stuck between the screen when you fold the phone.

Specs-wise, the Fold is a beast, with a 7.3-inch foldable AMOLED screen on the inside, a 4.6-inch AMOLED screen on the outside, 12GB of RAM, up to 512GB of storage, a total of six cameras and a 4,380mAh battery. The price is $1,980. 

For the money, you also get access to the Galaxy Fold Premier Service, which consists of 24/7 support from Samsung's experts, available via phone, video calls, or scheduled in-person meetings.