Report: Samsung ‘reconsidering’ cheaper Galaxy Z Fold 6 launch

Ben Schoon | May 14 2024 - 4:15 am PT

The Galaxy Z Fold 6 was thought to be coming in two variants, but a new report claims that, yet again, Samsung is having second thoughts on releasing a cheaper model.

According to a new report from The Elec, Samsung’s plans to release a more affordable Galaxy Z Fold 6 are being “completely” re-examined.

Why? The report says that Samsung is looking at product differentiation factors and “industry uncertainty.” The more affordable foldable was rumored to cost well under $1,000. Another reason is that, apparently, the cheaper device ended up being the same thickness as the high-end model, despite Samsung aiming for the more affordable device to be thinner and better compete with folding phones sold in China.

This isn’t the first time Samsung has been expected to launch a cheaper foldable. In 2023, it was reported that Samsung would launch a lower-cost foldable, only for the company to semi-deny that, saying that it wouldn’t release a foldable “priced in the mid-range.”

But this year, things seemed different. There were more sources claiming a cheaper foldable was on the table, and we’d heard more specific details including that it would lack S Pen support and potentially have a less powerful chipset. Given that context, it’s hard to think that Samsung will just throw the device away, but it sounds like there’s a good chance we won’t see it this year.

Samsung is expected to launch new foldables – however many there end up being – alongside Galaxy Ring, Watch 7, and more in July.

Meanwhile, the report claims that Samsung is considering an “entry-level” version of the Galaxy Z Flip 7 for 2025.