Samsung is reportedly preparing to release a cheaper version of its foldable Galaxy Fold device in July, according to XDA Developers. The company is said to be using left over parts from the original Fold to create a device that will cost roughly half its $1,980.
The report stems from the below tweet from the CEO of Display Supply Chain Consultants, who has taken to a public platform to say things he maybe shouldn’t be:
To clear out Galaxy Fold 1 inventory before the Galaxy Fold 2 is launched, Samsung will announce the Galaxy Fold Special Edition in July at a price around $1099. Quantities will be limited to ~55K worldwide. It should look just like the Galaxy Fold 1. Great price!
— Ross Young (@DSCCRoss) May 13, 2020
It’s not clear if the ‘Special Edition’ name will be used but if the $1,099 price is correct, while still expensive, it’ll make the Fold affordable for a lot more people who will be able to justify the price. Crucially, he claims that only around 55,000 units will be made, numbers that could sell out very fast for a product that might not be available worldwide. Samsung claims it has sold around 500,000 of the original Fold.
Author of the XDA report Max Weinbach also has many industry sources, and he claims the rumour is in line with what he has heard, though suggests Samsung might use the names ‘Galaxy Fold e’ or Galaxy Fold Lite’. He suggests it’ll be a 4G only model with a mixz of parts and perhaps a smaller external display:
I have some info on the Galaxy Fold Lite. -Galaxy Fold Lite 4G -256GB storage -Mirror Black, Mirror Purple -Display has no UTG -Will be equipped with a mix of 2018/19/20 parts -outside will probably have a smaller display (not like on Fold, but more like the Z Flip)
— Max Weinbach (@MaxWinebach) May 12, 2020
If the phone gains a Snapdragon 865 over the 855 of the original and ships at around half the price, Samsung could be onto a winner. We liked aspects of Fold when we reviewed it, but were at pains to recommend it thanks to its mad price, fragility and awkward screen sizes.
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Author: Henry Burrell, Phones Editor
Henry is Tech Advisor’s Phones Editor, ensuring he and the team covers and reviews every smartphone worth knowing about for readers and viewers all over the world. He spends a lot of time moving between different handsets and shouting at WhatsApp to support multiple devices at once.