Samsung is rumored to be expanding its foldable smartphone range with a more affordable model. A new report from the Korean publication The Elec now suggests that Samsung is aiming to make this entry-level foldable a compelling alternative to Apple’s upcoming iPhone 16 series.

The report first sheds light on Samsung’s plans for its regular Z Fold 6 and Z Flip 6 models. According to The Elec, Samsung has sped up the production schedule for components of its next-generation foldable phones.

As a result, the mass production of parts for the Galaxy Z Fold 6 and Z Flip 6 is expected to start as early as May.

Samsung budget Galaxy z fold 6

That timeframe is several weeks ahead of last year’s models, thus the standard Z Fold 6 and Z Flip 6 are said to be released sometime in July. For comparison, the Galaxy Z5 series foldable was released in August last year.

On the other hand, the budget-friendly Galaxy Z Fold 6 might not hit the market until months after the regular Fold 6 and Flip 6.

It’s rumored that Samsung might launch it in September or October, likely to coincide with Apple’s iPhone 16 launch. As aforementioned, this staggered release strategy is aimed at competing with Apple’s iPhone 16 launch.

While there’s not much detail we have about the affordable Z Fold, it’s expected to make some design compromises to lower the cost. For instance, it is rumored that it will not support Samsung’s S Pen stylus.

Moreover, Elec’s report also suggests Samsung isn’t expecting a high shipment target for the cheaper Galaxy Z Fold 6. It is estimated at around 200,000 to 300,000 units, but it could still influence consumer decisions when compared to the iPhone 16.

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