Samsung’s strategy for foldables and Galaxy S25: No cheaper Z Fold, Tri-Fold innovations, and UWB upgrades

Samsung continues to dominate the foldable smartphone market, but despite consumer demand for a more affordable Galaxy Z Fold, the company has made it clear that a cheaper version of the device is not on its roadmap. At the same time, Samsung is exploring innovations, such as a tri-fold smartphone, and gearing up to bring significant upgrades to the Galaxy S25 series, including a major enhancement in ultra-wideband (UWB) technology.

No Affordable Galaxy Z Fold in the Pipeline

Despite consistent requests for a budget-friendly version of its Galaxy Z Fold lineup, Samsung has once again confirmed that it has no plans to release a cheaper model. Following the launch of the region-specific Galaxy Z Fold “Special Edition,” Samsung reiterated through the SisaJournal that they are focused on offering options rather than lowering prices. According to the company, this Special Edition isn’t a low-cost alternative but simply a different variant that provides more options for consumers.

The Galaxy Z Fold has seen fluctuating prices over the years. For example, the Galaxy Z Fold 6 was priced at $1,899, an increase from the $1,799 price tag of previous models. This pricing strategy, however, has been a challenge for Samsung as the high cost continues to be a barrier to the widespread adoption of foldable phones. Samsung has acknowledged that most buyers of the Z Fold are existing customers upgrading from earlier generations, with minimal growth in attracting new users.

Moreover, the Galaxy Z Fold “Special Edition” is more expensive than the standard model, priced at 2,789,600 won (approximately $2,100), while the regular Fold 6 costs 2,388,100 won (around $1,800). This price difference of about $300 makes it clear that Samsung is not aiming to reduce the entry cost of foldable devices, unlike its Galaxy Z Flip series, which has seen significant growth after being priced under $1,000.

Samsung’s Tri-Fold Smartphone in Development

While Samsung has no plans to make a cheaper foldable, it is reportedly working on a more advanced foldable device: a tri-fold smartphone. Industry insiders in Korea have revealed that Samsung is preparing to launch this new type of foldable by 2025. The necessary technology and supply chain are already in place, but the final decision rests with Samsung’s Mobile eXperience (MX) Division, which oversees foldable phone development.

Although the tri-fold phone is on the horizon, the current demand for foldable devices has not met Samsung’s expectations. Orders for foldable OLED panels have dropped by over 10%, and Samsung Display’s shipments of these panels are expected to decline by 40%, from 20 million in 2023 to just 12 million in 2024. This includes screens for Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold and Z Flip models, as well as panels supplied to other companies like Xiaomi, Vivo, and Oppo.

The Galaxy Z Fold 6 and Z Flip 6 alone are responsible for around 8 million units, falling short of the earlier forecast of 10 million sales. Samsung may need to rethink its strategy to combat this decline, possibly by introducing a more affordable version of the Galaxy Z Flip to appeal to a wider audience.

Galaxy S25 to Feature Major UWB Upgrade

As Samsung focuses on foldables, it is also preparing for the release of the Galaxy S25 series, which is expected to include groundbreaking upgrades, particularly in the area of UWB technology. The upcoming Galaxy S25 series will likely be powered by Qualcomm’s new Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset, which brings built-in UWB support for all models in the lineup, ensuring that even the standard variant matches its Plus and Ultra counterparts in this regard.

Snapdragon 8 Elite, manufactured using TSMC’s 3nm process, features Qualcomm’s Oryon CPU, an upgraded Neural Processing Unit (NPU), and an enhanced Adreno GPU. What makes this chipset particularly exciting is its integration of UWB, along with Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, into the FastConnect 7900 system. This level of integration is expected to significantly improve the performance and efficiency of the Galaxy S25’s wireless communication capabilities.

Samsung has previously added UWB to its high-end devices through separate chip installations. However, with UWB now built directly into the Snapdragon 8 Elite, the Galaxy S25 will deliver more seamless UWB functionality. This technology enables precise spatial awareness and high-speed data transmission, unlocking features like digital car keys, which are becoming more common in premium devices.

There are also reports that Samsung could disable UWB in the Galaxy S25 through software updates, leaving some uncertainty about how widely this feature will be used in the final product. Regardless, the integration of UWB into the Snapdragon 8 Elite is a significant step forward for Samsung’s flagship series.

What to Expect from the Galaxy S25 Series

The Galaxy S25 series is expected to launch in January 2024 and will consist of three models: Standard, Plus, and Ultra. While details about the devices are still emerging, one of the key decisions Samsung needs to make is whether to use its own Exynos 2500 chipset in some models or rely entirely on Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite. A final decision on the SoC (system-on-chip) distribution is anticipated by the end of this month.

With the UWB upgrade and other advancements, the Galaxy S25 series is shaping up to be a major release for Samsung, even as the company navigates challenges in the foldable market.

In conclusion, while Samsung is committed to advancing its foldable phone technology and maintaining a premium pricing strategy for the Galaxy Z Fold series, it is also exploring new innovations like tri-fold devices. At the same time, the Galaxy S25 series promises to deliver cutting-edge features, particularly with its UWB upgrade, making it a highly anticipated release. However, the future success of both foldables and the S series may depend on Samsung’s ability to adapt to market demands and offer more accessible options to a broader audience.