First real threat to Samsung’s foldable phones might come next year
Samsung had a solid lead in the foldable smartphone segment for years. Over the past couple of years, though, it only brought incremental improvements, allowing Chinese brands to take over from the hardware standpoint. However, its global sales are likely higher than those brands. And its real threat might come next year in the form of […] The post First real threat to Samsung’s foldable phones might come next year appeared first on SamMobile.
Samsung had a solid lead in the foldable smartphone segment for years. Over the past couple of years, though, it only brought incremental improvements, allowing Chinese brands to take over from the hardware standpoint. However, its global sales are likely higher than those brands. And its real threat might come next year in the form of the first foldable iPhone.
Apple's first foldable iPhone will launch in 2026 to compete with the Galaxy Z Fold 8
Popular analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has claimed that Foxconn will start the foldable iPhone project in the third or fourth quarter of this year. Most important parts, such as the hinge, have reportedly not been finalized by Apple yet. The foldable OLED panel is said to have been finalized, and Samsung Display will be the sole supplier of those panels. The South Korean firm plans to build an annual production capacity of 7-8 million units for those panels.
Recent reports claimed that Apple plans to place an order of 15-20 million OLED panels for foldable iPhones. However, this order is likely for a period of 2-3 years. So, annual sales will likely be a few million units each year. This might seem low compared to regular iPhones, but that is due to the device's ultra-premium price tag of anywhere from $2,000 to $2,500.
Samsung shipped 10 million foldable phones in 2022 and hoped sales would rise in the coming years. However, since then, sales of Galaxy Z series devices have been dropping, and the South Korean firm has had a rude awakening. And to compete with the first foldable iPhone, the company needs to bring something groundbreaking with the Galaxy Z Fold 8.
Buy Galaxy Z Fold 6
The Galaxy Z Fold 7 is rumored to be the thinnest foldable phone when it launches in July 2025. However, besides its slim body and a 200MP primary camera, it might not offer other improvements, such as the battery capacity, charging speeds, and screen brightness. Samsung needs to do a lot better in those areas next year.
Hopefully, with the Galaxy Z Fold 8, it will bring a Silicon Carbon battery, a higher resolution telephoto camera, and at least 45W fast charging. Samsung also needs to work with Google to bring more big-screen optimized features and third-party apps and games next year.
The post First real threat to Samsung’s foldable phones might come next year appeared first on SamMobile.
