According to a new report, Samsung is planning to launch a mid-range foldable phone at a much lower price than the current lineup.
The new foldable phones will launch in 2024, according to supply chain sources who spoke to research firm Trend Force. Samsung has a clear goal to "further reduce cost barriers and make modern phones more affordable to a wider range of consumers," the company said in a report.
This has been confirmed by tipster @Tech_Reve on Twitter/X, who claims that Samsung plans to price this new foldable phone between $400 and $500.
The Z Flip 5 and Fold 5 currently cost $999 and $1,799.99, respectively. A $500 budget version of one of these models would mean a huge price cut, making it cheaper than the recently released mid-range Galaxy S23 FE.
The expensive parts of a foldable phone come from the complex mechanics of the durable hinge and the durability of the ultra-thin display glass. Both are obstacles to making feature phones cheaper. But the other big problem is with the software.
Flip phones offer a different user experience and interface than standard tablet phones due to their multitasking capabilities. When done well, folding is the best a smartphone can offer. If it's messy and clunky like early versions of the Samsung Fold, it will ruin the experience.
MORE FROM FORBESGoogle Warns Pixel Users About Media Bugs in Android 14 By Janho McGregor
There's no point in making a cheaper foldable phone if the software isn't as impressive as the hardware. In an interview with Tom's Guide earlier this year, Drew Blackard, Samsung's vice president of mobile product marketing, said the same thing.
“The price of complex devices will fall over time. This year we've really focused on solving the problems we found in our current complex device user base. We are focused on continually improving the experience. Of course, over time, as technology advances, we will continue to see innovation and hopefully prevent this from happening in the future.
Trendforce and Tech Reve have not revealed details about the cheaper foldable device. But one of the biggest challenges will be knowing where to save money. The Fold 5 and Flip 5 already use mid-range cameras to keep the price low. Thus, the budget foldable device needs to be further shrunk to achieve a lower price, otherwise the Galaxy Z Fold 6 and Flip 6 will finally feature a camera comparable to the Galaxy S24.
The most likely outcome is that Samsung will release a budget version of the Flip 5, which is already the company's cheapest foldable phone. Prices for similar flip phones, such as the Motorola Razr, have fallen sharply in recent years. This is probably the lowest risk factor Samsung can experiment with.
Find me onFacebookand click the Follow button below to get the latest tech news.
