South Korean multinational electronics giant, Samsung Electronics, has launched its newest premium foldable smartphones. The company has also announced that it is pegging the price to what it is last year in a bid to retain its dominance in a developing niche market.
The 5G-enabled top-tier Galaxy Z Fold4 with a 7.6-inch primary screen will start at $1,799.99 in the United States, the same as the launch cost of last year’s models. The smartphone manufacturer priced its most recent clamshell Galaxy Z Flip4 at $999.99.
Explaining Samsung’s mission to make the latest technology accessible to more people, Samsung Electronics President and Head of Mobile Experience, TM Roh said that foldable phones are transforming and reshaping the mobile market, and Samsung is leading that evolution;
“We’ve effectively changed this category from a daring initiative to a mainstream device lineup enjoyed by millions globally.”
The Galaxy Z Flip4 and Z Fold4, as well as its latest earbuds, Galaxy Buds2 Pro, will be generally available starting Aug. 26 in select places such as the United States, parts of Europe and South Korea.
About the latest series of foldable phones
The Galaxy Z Fold4 is a powerful and productive smartphone which comes with a big and immersive display which enables the user to do a lot with one hand with its 6.2-inch Cover Screen.
On both hands, the 7.6-inch Main Screen makes it your ultimate do-more device. All you have to do to go hands-free is simply set it down, find a good angle and leave it there while you get more done.
The design basically makes it a two phone in one with nearly the weight of a less-flexible phone. Slimmed down everywhere but the screen, the minimized edges and lightweight materials make the Fold even more pocket-friendly.
A major feature of the Fold is that it helps users toggle between texts or emails, and also takes full advantage of the expansive main screen with multi-view.
The colours range from Greygreen, Phantom Black and Beige.
The Galaxy Z Flip4 is a durable, customizable smartphone with a flex cam that enables you to capture images from a wide range of angles.
The smartphone possesses a range of colours (Bora Purple, Graphite, Pink Gold and Blue) that go with almost everything but look like nothing else. A hazy finish on the glass creates a soft contrast to the high-shine, glossy metal frame.
The Galaxy Z Flip4 is a sleek, full-sized smartphone that fits perfectly in a pocket for when it’s time to move. Samsung said the latest models make it easier for phone owners to use popular apps such as Instagram and Microsoft’s MSFT.O Outlook.
What does this mean to the market for foldable phones
According to Reuters, Counterpoint Research forecasts global shipments of foldable smartphones to grow to 16 million units this year, just 1.2% of the 1.36 billion smartphone shipments forecast, but a jump from 9 million foldable shipped last year.
Although the overall smartphone market is seen shrinking this year as consumers spend less, foldable smartphones are likely to fare better, as their quirky form factor, large screens and portability attract interest, analysts said.
Samsung held a 62% market share in foldable smartphones in the first half of 2022, followed by Huawei at 16% and Oppo at 3%. Counterpoint forecast Samsung’s share in the second half will be around 80% after the new releases.
In the second half, Samsung said it wants foldable phone sales to surpass those of its previous flagship smartphone, the Galaxy Note.
“Foldables have helped Samsung differentiate itself… Apple will be Samsung’s key competitor in the future and we expect a foldable to be released from Apple in either 2024 or 2025,” said
– Counterpoint senior analyst Jene Park.