SAN FRANCISCO — For the past decade, smartphones have had practically the same design: a rectangular slab with a touch screen. That’s why gadget enthusiasts were eagerly awaiting the release this week of Samsung’s Galaxy Fold, a smartphone that could be folded or unfolded to decrease or increase its screen size.

Now, they will have to wait longer.

After several tech critics reported last week that their Galaxy Fold devices were malfunctioning, Samsung said on Monday that it would postpone the release of the device, which had been set for Friday. It said a new rollout date would be announced in the coming weeks.

“While many reviewers shared with us the vast potential they see, some also showed us how the device needs further improvements that could ensure the best possible user experience,” Samsung said in a statement.

The issues with the Galaxy Fold, a premium phone priced at nearly $2,000, are another black eye for Samsung, which has developed a reputation for rushing to be first with new innovations at the risk of quality assurance. The company was under scrutiny several years ago when a flagship phone, the Galaxy Note 7, was discontinued after several of the devices spontaneously combusted amid dozens of reports of overheating Note 7 batteries in the United States.