Samsung looks set to scrap its Galaxy Z Fold 6 Ultra plans and replace them with a more desirable smartphone.
This summer’s Galaxy Unpacked event is expected to introduce Samsung’s latest foldable devices, namely the Z Fold 6 and Z Flip 6. It’s the former that is causing renewed interest, with two models being planned by the South Korean company.
Some have speculated that this would be an “Ultra” model with as high a specification and potential as possible. However, recently leaked details suggest that Samsung will move in a different direction and release the presumptively-named Galaxy Z Fold 6 FE.
The Fan Edition (FE) moniker has been used in several previous smartphone releases, with the Galaxy S23 FE the most recent. They bring over much of the form and function of the top-tier handsets but with decisions around specifications, potential, and materials, all contributing to a lower price while maintaining the original identity as much as possible.
The price of foldable phones in 2024 remains high, an issue the Fan Edition variants have been specifically designed to address. A Z Fold 6 FE would bring one of the most exciting technologies to a much wider audience and allow Samsung to capture more of the foldable market share… with Huawei threatening to become the world’s number one foldable manufacturer, Samsung needs to respond. The Fold FE will be that response.
As with any Galaxy Fan Edition, some compromises will be made to decrease the price. The biggest will likely be dropping support for the S-Pen. By putting aside Samsung’s stylus, not only is the S-Pen removed from the bill of materials, but the specialised digitizer layer on the screen can also be removed.
Other areas that Samsung has focused its axe on in previous Fan Editions include holding the camera back to the previous generation’s hardware, shrinking the memory and reducing storage. You also have options around protection; for example, the Z Fold 6 FE may not have as high an IP rating as the more expensive model. Don’t expect Samsung to use exotic materials such as titanium, which was introduced into the Galaxy S24 Ultra.
Yet, these choices should not impact the core experience. The Galaxy Z Fold 6 FE would deliver a large screen that can be tucked away behind a regular phone for everyday use. And if Samsung can get close to the totemic $999 price point, it’s also going to be a popular choice for consumers.
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