Smartphones & Tablets | September 2, 2023
Foldable smartphones face a significant obstacle to their popularization, and we’re not referring to the technology-related issues like folds or hinges, but rather the price. Using a foldable device reveals their potential, but few people are willing to pay the premium prices they come with.
Even the “cheaper” foldable phones typically cost around 1,000 euros, a prohibitive price for most buyers. As a result, conventional smartphones remain the preferred choice. Samsung bears a significant portion of this blame, as its foldable models are the most expensive on the market, usually for valid reasons since they offer a more premium experience and are more durable.
This might change in 2024. According to a recent leak published this week, Samsung is reportedly gearing up to launch new affordable foldable smartphones, aiming to entice users to adopt this technology.
The rumor comes from @Tech_Reve on Twitter, who claims that Samsung is preparing novelties for the FE series. Originally called the “Fan Edition,” these phones were known for being more affordable without making significant sacrifices compared to the standard versions. However, it has been two generations since Samsung last released an FE model, and news from South Korea wasn’t very optimistic.
Nevertheless, this leak suggests that the FE series is making a strong comeback. To start, the Galaxy S23 FE is finally set to debut “soon,” and there are plans within Samsung to consistently launch new devices every year. By doing so, the company aims to recoup potential sales losses due to the high prices of flagship smartphones.
But that’s not all; there are also rumors that the FE series will expand to include the Z series, which consists of foldable smartphones. These “Galaxy Z FE” devices will be versions of the Galaxy Z Fold 6 and Flip 6, set to arrive next year, and they will stand out due to their lower starting price. As a result, they could serve as a great entry point to the world of foldables.
Although the leak doesn’t provide detailed information about these Galaxy Z FE devices, it’s easy to speculate on their nature. The sixth generation of the Galaxy Z series is expected to bring about the most significant changes in the company’s foldable history, particularly in the Fold model, which might adjust its aspect ratio to align more closely with offerings like the Pixel Fold. Thus, it would make sense for Samsung to leverage components from the current Galaxy Z Fold 5 to release a more affordable version. However, this is merely our speculation.
