Foldable devices are set to dominate the consumer electronics conversation this year, driven by the buzz they generated last year. Samsung aims to solidify its position as a leader in this field by introducing an affordable foldable device, reportedly named the Galaxy Z Fold6, slated for release later in the year.
Rumors suggest that Samsung is considering expanding its lineup to include Fan Edition (FE) versions of its foldable smartphones. This move aligns with earlier reports and expectations for a Galaxy Z Flip6 FE and Z Fold6 FE to follow the official launches of the Galaxy Z Flip6 and Z Fold6.
Sources from South Korea indicate that Samsung will initially focus on producing book-style foldables with competitive pricing, particularly targeting the Chinese market where foldable options are abundant. In China, Samsung ranks third behind OPPO and Huawei, the current leaders in the foldable market.
Locally, the foldable market is nascent, with only TECNO and OPPO offering foldable options – the Phantom V Fold and Phantom V Flip, and the Find N2 Flip, respectively. TECNO is gearing up to unveil the Phantom V2 Fold, expected to be announced at MWC 2024, while OPPO plans to introduce either the Find N3 Flip or the Find N3.
Having had the opportunity to preview the Find N3 series, it’s evident that Samsung may face stiff competition from OPPO’s latest offerings once they hit the market.
Samsung Electronics president Roh Tae-Moon previously projected that global demand for foldable smartphones would reach 10 million units in five years. Given that only 15.8 million foldable units were shipped by December 2023, with a 23% increase from the previous year, introducing a budget-friendly foldable device could significantly boost these numbers.
The decision to prioritize the Fold6 over the Flip6 is strategic, considering the established popularity of clamshell-style foldables and Samsung’s stronger sales in the Flip category. The Flip5 led the foldable market, followed by the Fold5, while the Flip4 ranked third. Honor Magic V2 and Huawei Mate X5 rounded up the list.
The unfolding competition in the foldable market promises an intriguing year ahead.
Story: TechWeez
