In the world of foldable smartphones, Samsung’s pricing strategies have been under scrutiny. Earlier reports hinted at the tech giant’s intention to introduce a more affordable foldable device, possibly in the midrange segment. However, a recent update from Samsung refutes these claims.

Samsung will maintain the premium appearance of their foldables

Samsung’s journey into foldable smartphones began with the Galaxy Fold, and the company has since expanded its portfolio with models like the Z Fold and Z Flip series. Despite the initial high prices – the original Galaxy Fold launched at $1,980—subsequent models have seen some price reduction. The Galaxy Z Fold 3, for instance, starts at $1,799, and the Galaxy Z Flip 3 comes in at $999. However, both the Galaxy Z Fold 5 and Galaxy Z Flip 5 maintains the same price tag of their predecessors.

Reports emerged earlier suggesting Samsung’s plans to launch an “entry-level foldable smartphone under 1 million won” (around $800 USD) by 2024. This strategy aimed at making foldable technology more accessible by excluding premium features and focusing on core functions. However, the latest statement from a Samsung Electronics spokesperson contradicts these reports.

“We don’t plan to manufacture foldable smartphones that are priced in the midrange, and the latest rumors are groundless,” he said.

This statement clarifies Samsung’s stance on keeping its foldable devices in the premium segment, maintaining a balance between cutting-edge technology and pricing.

The rumors hinted at a potential reduction in features to achieve a lower price point, including the exclusion of premium elements such as water resistance, wireless charging, and possibly a downgrade in processing power. However, the official statement suggests that Samsung is not currently pursuing a mid-range foldable device.

While the possibility of Samsung expanding its foldable portfolio with new models remains uncertain, the company emphasizes that no decisions have been made on introducing a mid-range foldable phone. The spokesperson stated, “There’s nothing decided on the matter,” leaving room for speculation about potential future developments.

The competitive foldable market has recently witnessed Google’s entry with the Pixel Fold, adding to the pressure on established players like Samsung. With Apple rumored to be preparing its foray into foldables, the landscape is evolving rapidly.

In conclusion, Samsung’s latest statement underscores its commitment to the premium segment for foldable smartphones. While the idea of a more affordable foldable stirred interest, Samsung appears focused on maintaining the premium appearance of their foldable devices in the current market scenario.

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Samsung is expected to launch its third foldable smartphone in the form of Galaxy Z Fold2 next month. Ahead of it, a tipster claims the South Korean tech giant to be working on three more foldables namely Galaxy Z Fold Lite, Galaxy Z Fold3, and Galaxy Z Fold S. He even mentioned the type of displays used on these devices.

Samsung has been long-rumored to launch a budget foldable smartphone tentatively called Galaxy Fold Lite. This device could bear the model number SM-F415. Now, a leakster going by the username @hwangmh01 on Twitter(via SamMobile) claims it to feature CPI (Colorless Polyimide) instead of UTG (Ultra Thin Glass) on Galaxy Z Flip and Galaxy Z Fold2.

For those unaware, the original Galaxy Fold comes with CPI-clad display, which is not as strong as UTG and therefore, such screens are more prone to damages. Anyway, if this could bring down the cost of foldables, then it is kind of a bargain as there are plenty Galaxy Fold users out there without any issue.

Further, the leaker also says that Galaxy Z Fold3, apart from retaining UTG, will also support S Pen but it will be pricey. That means it could end up as the most expensive smartphone from the house of Samsung.

Last but not least, the company is also working on another foldable called Galaxy Z Fold S with “in & out folding”. We don’t know what that means but it could be something like TCL’s tri-fold prototype.

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Samsung is the only company to sell foldable smartphones on a large scale. The South Korean tech giant has so far launched four foldable devices under its Galaxy Z series; they are Galaxy Fold, Galaxy Fold 5G, Galaxy Z Flip, and Galaxy Z Flip 5G. The fourth and fifth devices – Galaxy Z Fold2 and Galaxy Z Fold2 5G are expected to launch next month. But none of them is affordable. Hence, to lure more customers, the firm is working on a budget foldable smartphone.

It is not the first time we are hearing about an affordable foldable handset from Samsung. In late June, a report claimed the chaebol to have postponed the launch of this phone to next year – 2021. The exact marketing name of this product is a mystery.

But now, an exclusive leak by SamMobile reveals this smartphone to carry model number SM-F415. For those unaware, Samsung uses SM-Fxxx for its Galaxy Z series phones. Also, the leak claims this handset to come in 64GB and 128GB storage configurations.

Unfortunately, that’s the only information the publication has managed to procure so far. It is not known how cheap it will be compared to the current-gen foldables from the company. To lower the price,  it may come with a mid-range processor and inferior cameras.

Anyway, it is a good sign for the commercialization of foldables. Soon, we may find this form factor in every price segment in no time if it all goes fine like the smartphone revolution.

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Samsung is expected to launch three high-end series phones in the coming months. It is slated to announce them at the alleged August 5 Unpacked event and start shipping them with an interval of one month. Now, out of the blue, a report from South Korea’s Viva 100 says the company has postponed the launch of cheaper Galaxy Fold to next year, which was also planned to be announced alongside these devices.

The first half of Samsung’s smartphone business did not perform well due to the COVID-19 global pandemic as well as an increase in the price of its flagships. In fact, the Galaxy S20 series is forecasted as the worst-performing Galaxy S series phones in recent years.

This made the company develop Galaxy S20 FE (Fan Edition) aka Galaxy S20 Lite, the successor to Galaxy S10 Lite. This phone is expected to ship in October, months earlier than its predecessor’s launch anniversary. Samsung is betting on this handset along with the Galaxy Note 20 series and Galaxy Fold 2 to make up for the losses incurred in the first half of 2020.

But it looks like the South Korean tech giant also had plans for a cheaper Galaxy Fold, possibly called Galaxy Fold Lite,  Galaxy Fold E or Galaxy Fold FE. However, it is no longer releasing this year as it has been now postponed to 2021.

This is not the first time we are hearing about the so-called Galaxy Fold Lite. It has leaked earlier with key specs like no 5G support yet a Snapdragon 865 SoC, aluminium and glass build, ‘Winner2’ codename, and $1,099 price tag.

However, the new report suggests it to be even cheaper at 1 million South Korean Won, which translates to only $834. Thus, it could be the most affordable foldable smartphone in 2021.

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Samsung has been reportedly working on a cheaper version of the Galaxy Fold smartphone and recently, more details about the smartphone were leaked online. While the device has been in the news as Galaxy Fold Lite, the actual naming of the phone has leaked online.

As per the industry insider Ross Young, the smartphone is named Samsung Galaxy Fold Special Edition. It seems that the company will launch this foldable smartphone to clear out the inventory of original Galaxy Fold before the company launches Galaxy Fold 2.

It is said that the Galaxy Fold Special Edition will be priced at $1,099, making it the cheapest foldable smartphone not just from Samsung but any other manufacturer. He has also revealed that the smartphone will be launched in July and will have a limited stock of around 55,000 units.

Recently leaked specifications of the smartphone suggest that it will come powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 865 processor but won’t have 5G support. The device is said to be be built with an aluminium frame and glass body and should come in Mirror Black and Mirror Purple color options.

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Max Weinbach, who leaked the phone’s specs, mentions that these are not the final specifications and they could get changed by the time the device launches in the market. So, we’d advise you to take this information with a pinch of salt.

The usage of SD865 SoC will make the processor on the phone stronger than the one offered in Galaxy Fold and Galaxy Z Flip. Also, it doesn’t make sense for the phone to be a 4G-only device if it’s powered by SD865 as the chipset comes with built-in 5G modem.

Meanwhile, the company is also working on Samsung Galaxy Fold 2 smartphone as a successor to the Galaxy Fold. The device is rumoured to have 120Hz display, punch-hole cutout, S Pen support, triple rear cameras, and more.

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A few days ago, it was reported that Samsung is developing a cheaper version of the Galaxy Fold. More details with respect to the specs of the phone, which is referred to as the Galaxy Fold Lite a.k.a. Galaxy Fold E, have surfaced.

According to Max Weinbach of XDA-Developers, the Galaxy Fold Lite 4G codenamed “Winner2” will have 256GB of storage, and a Snapdragon 865 processor. There is no 5G support as you can see from the name of the device. There is also no mention of the RAM but we expect it to come with 8GB or 12GB.

The Galaxy Fold Lite will have a flexible display with no UTG. This means the screen is covered in plastic. The outer display will be smaller with a size similar to the outer display of the Galaxy Z Flip.

-Available internationally
-No 5G support
-Snapdragon 865
-Built out of Aluminium and Glass on outside
-$1099
-Winner2

This could change as this info tends to change quickly, especially when it's the first you're hearing about a device.

— Max Weinbach (@MaxWinebach) May 12, 2020

This device will have a mix of aluminum and glass on the outside. It is also said to feature a mix of 2018, 2019, and 2020 specifications. The Galaxy Fold Lite will come in  Mirror Black and Mirror Purple, have a price tag of $1099, and be available globally.

Max said in another tweet that the specs are unconfirmed and more of a rumor and that the specs may change quickly. So the phone may launch with different specifications.

It is unknown when the device will launch but our guess is there are still a few months of waiting to be done before it finally launches.

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