There’s a rumor coming out of Korea that Samsung is thinking about releasing a more affordable version of the upcoming Galaxy Z Fold6. This doesn’t mean the Fold6 itself will be cheaper, but rather that it might have a cheaper alternative. This would be the first time Samsung has considered making a lower-cost foldable device, according to the source of this rumor.
An interesting point to note is that the reason for choosing the Fold line for this move, and not the Flip, is that the Flip models released so far have been selling better. Therefore, a more affordable Fold could help reinvigorate the Fold line.
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold5
This move would assist Samsung in gaining a stronger foothold in the Chinese foldable market, which is currently dominated by local brands. Despite this, Samsung still holds a double-digit market share for foldables in China, which is much higher than its share of traditional slab phones at around 1%.
By introducing a more affordable Fold6, Samsung could expand the global market for foldable phones, where it currently holds a leading position, giving it an advantage over competitors who don’t offer foldable devices or don’t sell them widely.
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold5
However, it’s important to note that nothing is certain at this point. Launching a more affordable device could impact Samsung’s profitability, as expected.
Furthermore, the company seems to believe that if an economic downturn occurs, demand will be focused on premium, more expensive products – which seems counterintuitive. However, those with more money will still have it, even if they lose some through a downturn, while those with less money would likely not be buying phones.
Source (in Korean)
