Another confirmation: Samsung will release a cheaper Galaxy Z Flip

Many Samsung fans have waited years for the company to release a cheaper foldable phone. All that patience should soon pay off. There is plenty of evidence that Samsung will release the first budget-friendly foldable phone this year, and Thailand's NBTC has just put a name on it.

So far, Samsung hasn't said anything about a third foldable coming this year. The company teased the Galaxy Z Fold 7 several times over the past two weeks, but there is no word or hint of a cheaper model. Nevertheless, the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission recently linked the SM-F761B model number with the Galaxy Z Flip 7 FE name in a new certification (via 91mobiles).

The moniker has been whispered in leaks and rumors before, but this is the closest we ever got to an official confirmation. If there was still any doubt, the NBTC certification more or less confirms that Samsung's cheaper foldable phone will go on sale as the Galaxy Z Flip 7 FE.

It's a pretty big deal. Samsung's Fan Edition brand has a reputation for bridging the gap between mid-range and premium phones and delivering good value for money.

Although the recent NBTC certificate doesn't say much else about the phone, everyone expects the Galaxy Z Flip 7 FE to look similar to the Galaxy Z Flip 6, which has a folder-shaped cover screen. Meanwhile, the non-FE Galaxy Z Flip 7 could bring a refreshed design with a larger cover display — one that incorporates the phone's two main cameras.

Exactly how much cheaper the Galaxy Z Flip 7 FE will be than the standard Z Flip 7 remains to be seen. For reference, the most recent slab-type Fan Edition phone, the Galaxy S24 FE, costs $150 less than the base Galaxy S25 model.

Recent trends show that foldable phone sales have slowed down in key markets like Europe. People are seemingly getting bored of Samsung's formula of incremental yearly upgrades.

This year, however, Samsung appears to have bigger plans for its foldable phone portfolio. And the Galaxy Z Flip 7 FE might be exactly what Samsung and the foldable phone segment need to increase consumer interest in this emerging technology.