Samsung’s 2024 lineup has been the subject of recent speculation, with rumors circulating about the inclusion of budget-friendly foldable smartphones. Initial reports suggested that the South Korean tech giant was gearing up to release an affordable foldable phone, priced at approximately $400 to $500 (roughly Rs. 33,000 to Rs. 41,000). This would have positioned it in the range of mid-tier Galaxy A series smartphones. However, recent developments indicate that Samsung is refuting these claims and denying the existence of a mid-range foldable phone in their upcoming lineup.
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According to a report by Korea JoongAng Daily, a Samsung spokesperson has explicitly stated that the company has no intentions of manufacturing foldable smartphones in the midrange category. The spokesperson dismissed the recent rumors as “groundless,” putting an end to speculations about an affordable Samsung foldable phone.
Contrary to previous expectations, Samsung has also denied plans to release Fan Edition versions of their foldable phones following the launch of the Galaxy Z Fold 6 and Galaxy Z Flip 6 next year. The rumored Galaxy Z FE (Fan Edition) is said to be shelved, with the spokesperson asserting that “there’s nothing decided on the matter.”
Earlier reports hinted at Samsung’s efforts to introduce more competitively priced foldable phones to the mid-range market in 2024. Market research firm TrendForce suggested that these affordable options aimed to break down price barriers, making foldable phones more accessible to a broader audience. A tipster even speculated that the pricing could potentially dip as low as $400 to $500.
As a brand that has already released five iterations of the Galaxy Z foldable flagships, Samsung remains committed to innovation. The Galaxy Z Flip 5 and Galaxy Z Fold 5, launched just a few months ago, cater to consumers with higher budgets. The Galaxy Z Flip 5 starts at $999 (roughly Rs. 82,000), while the Galaxy Z Fold 5 is priced at $1,799 (roughly Rs. 1,47,000).
For Indian consumers, the Galaxy Z Fold 5 starts at Rs. 1,54,999 for the base 12GB RAM + 256GB storage configuration, and the Galaxy Z Flip 5 begins at Rs. 99,999 for the 8GB RAM + 256GB storage model.
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Both the Galaxy Z Fold 5 and Galaxy Z Flip 5 boast Qualcomm’s custom Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 Mobile Platform for Galaxy, showcasing a new Flex Hinge. Running on One UI 5.1.1 based on Android 13, these devices also feature an IPX8 rated build, ensuring water resistance. As Samsung continues to make strides in the foldable phone market, the recent denial of mid-range options signals a focus on maintaining a premium positioning in the evolving tech landscape.