Subj : Samsung might finally launch a cheap foldable phone in 2024
To   : All
From : TechnologyDaily
Date : Wed Jan 24 2024 13:15:06

Samsung might finally launch a cheap foldable phone in 2024

Date:
Wed, 24 Jan 2024 12:58:25 +0000

Description:
Samsung is rumored to have a budget-friendly foldable phone  effectively a 
'Galaxy Z Fold FE'  in the works for release in 2024.

FULL STORY
======================================================================

Samsung has been the undisputed champion of the foldable phones world for a 
while now, but one problem neither it nor its rivals have managed to solve is 
the price  these things are expensive, which is arguably the main reason why 
foldables aren't selling in big numbers. That might soon change though. 

Right now the number one best foldable phone  the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5  
starts at $1,799.99 / 1,749 / AU$2,599. The Google Pixel Fold is similarly 
pricey, and even more budget options like the Motorola Razr Plus 2023 will 
still set you back $999.99 / 1,049.99 / AU$1,499  and those phones tend to 
boast disappointing hardware and poor water resistance ratings, making them 
feel overpriced for what you get. 

Perhaps seeing this gap in the market, its rumored that Samsung will release 
a cheaper version of the Galaxy Z Fold 6 later this year  a sort-of Galaxy Z 
Fold FE, though no name is official yet. The cheaper model would likely 
launch at the same time as the other Galaxy foldables  the Galaxy Z Fold 6 
and Galaxy Z Flip 6  that are expected to be announced in July or August, per 
Samsungs usual schedule. 

The leak goes on to explain that the Fold is more likely to get an FE variant 
than the Flip, because the Flip is selling better. Despite being two places 
behind the first-place Z Fold 5 in our bets foldables rankings, the Samsung 
Galaxy Z Flip 5 and its predecessors with a clamshell hinge are apparently 
more popular. Nothing set in stone, yet The Samsung Galaxy S23 FE could get a 
folding cousin (Image credit: Future) 

This report comes via The Elec , a Korean outlet with a decent track record 
when it comes to reporting leaks from Korean industry insiders. That said, 
its worth taking the details with a pinch of salt; until Samsung says 
anything official theres no guarantee well see any folding phones from it in 
2024, let alone a new cheaper model. 

Whats more, the report itself notes that Samsungs plans arent set in stone. 
Its supposedly concerned about the health of the smartphone industry as a 
whole, and is worried that launching a third foldable phone model in 2024 
could hurt its profits rather than help them. 

A cheaper folding smartphone would certainly make the tech more accessible, 
but well have to wait and see if and how the Galaxy Z Fold FE materializes. 

Even if we do see it launch later this year, it might still run into the same 
issues as other budget foldables by cutting corners in terms of its specs and 
design, making it feel like poor value for money. You might also like The 
Samsung Galaxy S24's four-year contracts have me worried Will 2024 be the 
year of the foldable phone? Not if Apple doesn't dive in Folding phones have 
wildly varying lifespans, according to this mega-test



======================================================================
Link to news story:
https://www.techradar.com/phones/samsung-might-finally-launch-a-cheap-foldable
-phone-in-2024


--- Mystic BBS v1.12 A47 (Linux/64)
 * Origin: tqwNet Technology News (1337:1/100)

.