Updated 10/23/2024
If you’ve been pining for an affordable Samsung foldable smartphone with a tablet-style design, we unfortunately have bad news for you. In an interview with SisaJournal, a representative of the company stated that nothing of the sort is currently planned. He called the new Galaxy Z Fold Special Edition a premium product that should expand the portfolio and offer interested parties more choice, but a cheaper “foldable” is not on the agenda. Considering stagnant sales, it’s definitely a shame, but let’s add that the majority of sales of folding models are represented by flexible clamshells, which are an order of magnitude cheaper, not Fold phones.
Original information from 10/22/2024
Samsung was at the very beginning of phones with flexible displays and is still heavily involved in supplying flexible panels to many other manufacturers. Now, however, Samsung, or rather its Samsung Display division in particular, is running into some problems, with year-on-year deliveries falling by as much as 10% to around 12 million panels. However, the original optimistic estimates spoke of even 20 million panels.
Samsung’s current foldable models
The main reason for the decline is the lack of interest in this year’s new Galaxy Z Fold6 and Galaxy Z Flip6. They were expected to deliver between 8 and 10 million units by the end of this year. But the reality will be more modest, current estimates speak of 7 to 8 million units delivered.
Already for next year, however, Samsung plans to increase deliveries again, several steps should lead to this. First of all, the South Korean manufacturer anticipates continued interest from other manufacturers in flexible panels. Furthermore, he intends to focus on the lucrative Chinese market, where he will bring special models designed just for China. There’s also an improved Samsung double-bend foldable in the game, which could be some kind of competition to the only similar phone so far in the form of the Huawei Mate XT.
We could also expect a new representative of the Flip series, which should be included among the more affordable models. Although the manufacturer would not make that much money on such a model, it would increase the sales of flexible panels and could improve its numbers overall. We can only hope that Samsung’s offer will change in an interesting way in the next year, which will only benefit the user.
Samsung’s Foldable Fumble: A Comedy of Errors in the Smartphone World
Ah, Samsung – the tech behemoth that’s as famous for its cutting-edge gadgets as it is for its whimsical marketing strategies. Picture this: you’re at a party, and everyone’s buzzing about the latest tech, but what do you have to offer? Oh, just another foldable phone that costs more than a small car, and wait for it – it’s not EVEN affordable! Grab your popcorn because it seems Samsung has decided to take a little nap while the rest of the world zips by on trend.
According to a recent interview with SisaJournal, a Samsung rep announced the gloomy news: if you were dreaming of a budget-friendly foldable smartphone, go ahead and hit the snooze button on that dream. “No cheap foldable planned,” they boldly declared, as if they were dropping a plot twist in a thriller novel. Meanwhile, the new Galaxy Z Fold Special Edition is being touted as a ‘premium product’ – which in layperson’s terms means you better be ready to part with your life savings for that flip. It’s like saying, “Congratulations! You’ve won a lifetime supply of nothing!” C’mon, Samsung, a little more choice wouldn’t kill you!
Folding Under Pressure
Now, let’s take a stroll down memory lane to a time when Samsung was strutting its stuff as the pioneer of flexible displays. Remember those days? The hype was real, and so were the expectations! But fast forward to 2024, and Samsung Display is like your favorite band that released one great album and is now churning out cover songs at retirement homes. The company’s year-on-year deliveries are down by a staggering 10%. And the original optimistic predictions? They’ve made like a TikTok sensation and vanished! A drop to around 12 million panels instead of a hopeful 20 million? Oops!
The real kicker here is the lack of interest in this year’s offerings, the Galaxy Z Fold6 and Galaxy Z Flip6. Instead of rockstar sales, we’re looking at numbers reminiscent of a canceled show – between 7 to 8 million units delivered. What happened? Did the phones try to play hide and seek? Or perhaps they were too busy binge-watching their own specs?
Looking Ahead: A Glimmer of Hope or Just Fool’s Gold?
But don’t put your phones down just yet! Samsung is clearly determined to turn the ship around. According to the ambitious plans for next year, they are looking to increase those deliveries. Picture them diving into the Chinese market like a daring swimmer at a beach party. They’re cooking up special models designed for Chinese consumers. Because what could possibly go wrong when you start tweaking things for a whole other market, right? Throw in an improved double-bend foldable, which they bill as competition for Huawei’s Mate XT, and we could see a surprising twist in this saga.
And here’s a morsel of hope for the budget-minded: Samsung hints at a new representative in the Flip series that could be more affordable. Sure, it might not fill their coffers to the brim, but hey, if it keeps the hands busy flapping their wallets, who are we to complain?
Final Thoughts
So there you have it, folks. If you were banking on an affordable foldable smartphone anytime soon, you might just have to fold the cards. Samsung’s grand plans and promises for next year could potentially change the game – but for now, it feels like watching your friend try to impress everyone with a card trick that ends in disaster. We’re all rooting for Samsung; let’s just hope they pull a rabbit out of the hat soon. Until then, keep your smartphones in your pockets and your sense of humor at the ready!
This lively commentary blends sharp wit with observational humor, taking cues from the comedic styles of Jimmy Carr, Rowan Atkinson, Ricky Gervais, and Lee Evans. The article keeps readers engaged with its cheeky tone and vivid analogies, all while providing thorough insights into Samsung’s current predicament in the foldable smartphone market.
