According to the news of The Elec, Samsung is also working on an entry-level model of the same phone, along with the high-end foldable phone Galaxy Z Fold 6, which it plans to introduce towards the end of this year, in order to expand its share in the foldable phone market, which continues to grow.
While Samsung was proving itself in foldable phones with the Galaxy Z Fold and Z Flip series, it was focusing on the premium segment. However, market trends and increasing competition, especially in China, seem to change the company’s strategy. According to research firm Omdia, Samsung currently ranks third in the foldable phone segment in China, after Honor and Huawei. In the third quarter of 2023, Samsung gained a 19% share, following Honor (28%) and Huawei (26%).
The lower-priced Z Fold 6 model could launch alongside the standard Z Fold 6 and Z Flip 6 in the second half of 2024. In such a case, Samsung will have made its biggest move ever in the field of foldable products with three new models at different price points.
Research firm DSCC (Display Supply Chain Consultants) claims that global foldable shipments will increase by 23% this year to 15.8 million units, indicating increased consumer interest. An entry-level Z Fold 6 could help Samsung become much more influential in China.
At this point, the question arises whether an affordable Z Fold will be released only in China. And unfortunately there is no answer to this question now. However, if Samsung actually introduces such a model, it can be claimed that it will want to sell it in all world markets.
Samsung’s current foldable devices, such as the Z Fold 5, have a thicker structure than flat smartphones when folded. However, competitors such as Huawei and Oppo introduced thinner and more compact foldable designs that were well received in China. Still, Samsung remains optimistic. The company predicts that global demand for foldable OLED displays will increase tenfold to 100 million units within five years. Therefore, Samsung will need to solve the thickness and price challenges to truly penetrate the market.