Samsung Electronics unveiled its latest high-end foldable smartphones on Wednesday with lower prices than last year’s offerings in a push to expand foldable demand beyond niche devices.

The technology giant priced its 5G-enabled Galaxy Z Fold3 with 7.6-inch main screen to start at US$1 800 in the US, and clamshell Galaxy Z Flip3 at $1 000 – down from the launch prices of last year’s models at $2 000 and $1 380, respectively.

For South African pricing and launch details, see this article

The Galaxy Z Fold3 and Z Flip3 will launch on 27 August starting in markets such as the US and Europe. South African pricing and a local launch date will the unveiled later on Wednesday.

“There’s definitely demand for bigger screens as people consume more media content, and foldables are the only form that makes big screens very portable … the price hurdle is the issue,” said Park Sung-soon, an analyst at Cape Investment & Securities.

Foldable phones, with about 8.6 million units expected to be shipped this year, are expected to account for just 0.6% of estimated 1.45 billion smartphones to be shipped. However, that is more than double the three million foldables shipped in 2020, and Samsung will lead the market with over 88% market share, according to Counterpoint Research.

Lighter, thinner

Besides price drops that analysts said could help capture more demand in the US and perhaps China, Samsung’s foldable unveiled on Wednesday touted lighter, thinner and improved design, durability and compatibility with a stylus, which could absorb users of Samsung’s Galaxy Note phablets whose key feature is the “S Pen”.

Samsung has said it is not discontinuing the Note, and mobile chief DJ Koh said in March that the company is preparing a Note product launch for next year.

In order for foldable smartphones to expand beyond niche models, prices of flagship models must drop to around $1 000 to $1 500, there must be more offerings from firms besides Samsung, and Apple’s entry, which is expected around 2023, would be needed, Counterpoint analysts said in a report this year.

Samsung also unveiled new smartwatches and earbuds on Wednesday with fresh designs and functions. Brisk sales of such high-margin accessories have added to the mobile division’s profitability in recent quarters. — Reported by Joyce Lee, (c) 2021 Reuters