Samsung is reportedly working on multiple mid-range folding smartphones that will be significantly more affordable than its current Galaxy Z-series flagships. The news comes a few weeks after reports first emerged that Samsung is working on a foldable smartphone that could be part of its affordable Galaxy A line. That report came from a tipster who also claimed that it might still be a few years before the device sees the light of day. However, there were no more specific information about the device itself, which is understandable, given that its development is likely at a very early stage.
Samsung, of course, is not the only company to be working on an 'affordable' folding phone. Chinese smartphone vendor Oppo is also said to be developing its own clamshell foldable smartphone with a targeted price-tag of around $750. Oppo already has a Galaxy Z Fold-style folding smartphone called the Find N that is priced at 7,699 yuan (around $1,150) in China. However, its next folding device will be a clamshell smartphone along the lines of the Z Flip 3. If the rumors are accurate, it will be priced significantly lower than Samsung's latest clamshell, which has a $999 asking price.
The latest report about Samsung's 'affordable' folding smartphone comes from South Korean publication ET News, which claims that Samsung is working on at least two new mid-range folding smartphones. While one of these devices will be a clamshell phone like the Z Flip 3, the other will be a Galaxy Fold-style device that will transform into a standard-sized tablet. According to the report, both these devices will be priced on the lower side and will undercut the company's existing Galaxy Z flagships. In fact, the report states that the pricing of the new devices could be around the one million won mark, which works out to be around $770.
Affordable Galaxy A-Series Foldable?
The report also claims that Samsung is looking to replicate the success of its Galaxy A-line with the release of its new folding smartphones, but stops short of confirming that they will be part of the Galaxy A lineup. The report also reiterates the earlier rumor that it will be a while before the mid-range foldables will be ready for prime time. Samsung is said to be targeting a 2024 release date for the upcoming devices.
Earlier this month, a report from Display Supply Chain Consultants (DSCC) revealed that Samsung remained the global leader in folding smartphones with a 74 percent market share in Q1, 2022. The Galaxy Z Flip 3 was reportedly the best-selling device in its class, leading with a 51 percent market share. Meanwhile, an earlier report from IDC also claimed that the global folding smartphones market grew over 264 percent between 2020 and 2021 and will reach 27.6 million units in 2025. Samsung will be hoping that its mid-range foldables will help it retain the lead in the segment as folding smartphones become more mainstream in the coming years.
Source: ET News (Korean)