Past the Alphabet
Past the Alphabet is a weekly column that focuses on the tech world each in and out of the confines of Mountain View.
For the week or so, Samsung began ramping up its promoting forward of its subsequent Unpacked occasion. That is the place we’ll probably see the Galaxy Z Fold 7, Z Flip 7, Galaxy Watch 8, and Mission Moohan (probably) or a Galaxy Ring 2 (much less probably). Evidently, Unpacked goes to be packed to the gills.
I can not assist however discover that Samsung’s messaging thus far has largely been targeted on the bigger Galaxy foldable. It began with a teaser, showcasing a silhouette of a book-style foldable, accompanied by a caption studying “Meet the subsequent chapter of Extremely.” Then, one other weblog publish was revealed that focuses on how the unknown machine is “Skinny, Mild, and Constructed to Final.”
The latest teaser focuses on the digital camera system and the way AI is anticipated to enhance, arguably probably the most irritating facet of the earlier mannequin. Given the fixed movement of options from Google, courtesy of instruments like Gemini Reside, I’d count on this to be the case.
The insecurity is clear
Nevertheless, a current report from The Elec suggests Samsung has lowered its projected gross sales figures for each the Z Fold 7 and Z Flip 7. The report notes that in Might alone, Samsung was anticipated to supply roughly 1.6 million models, with the Fold 7 accounting for 800,000 models. Now, that determine has reportedly been lowered to round 1.34 million gadgets, with the Fold 7 dropping to round 630,000 models.
Assuming the report is right, which ought to at all times be taken with a grain of salt, I am left questioning what is going on on. For one, I do not recall the final time Samsung began constructing this a lot hype for its foldable telephones forward of an official announcement, no less than not with this sort of cadence.
So, why is Samsung making an attempt to hype a product that it reportedly expects to fall in need of its targets? The plain reply is that Samsung might simply be hoping to exceed expectations for the primary time in years. However to me, one thing about the entire scenario simply does not sit proper.
May Samsung truly introduce a Galaxy Z Fold Extremely? I doubt it. There are quite a few components that work towards this concept, notably within the context of the continued commerce and tariff dispute in the US. Moreover, the financial local weather on this area is much too unstable, and an “Extremely” foldable would probably surpass the $2,000 mark, making it out of attain for a lot of.
Falling behind
It doesn’t matter what comes of the 2025 Galaxy Z Fold household, if it does not meet Samsung’s expectations, they actually solely have themselves accountable. Though the software program expertise is as nice because it will get in comparison with the competitors, Samsung has fallen far behind within the design division.
Different foldable telephones, such because the Pixel 9 Professional Fold, Oppo Discover N5, and even the Honor Magic V3, make the Galaxy Z Fold 6 look a number of years older than it truly is. To not point out that each of these gadgets supply higher digital camera {hardware}, larger batteries, and fewer noticeable creases.
Samsung is fast to level and snort at Apple, however it’s additionally one of many first to comply with in Apple’s footsteps. That is precisely what occurred with the Fold lineup, as Samsung solely made minor tweaks to the {hardware}, leading to a telephone that did not look a lot completely different from the one earlier than it.
As a substitute of being the trade chief it needs to be, Samsung sat again and coasted for too lengthy, and the individuals responded with their wallets. Proof of that got here by way of Counterpoint Analysis, which reported that Samsung “noticed a 24% drop in gross sales in Q1 this yr.”
What a couple of Galaxy Fold FE?
In fact, there’s the potential for Samsung to launch a less expensive Galaxy Z Fold FE to spice up gross sales. Nevertheless, I do not assume that is an avenue Samsung ought to pursue, with the only real exception of being a money seize.
Why? Nicely, that is straightforward. Samsung hasn’t confirmed that it could possibly make a foldable that retains tempo with the Oppo Discover N5 or Pixel 9 Professional Fold. Software program-wise, sure, the Fold 6 is the clear winner. {Hardware} is one other story.
There are rumors that Samsung could launch an FE model of the Galaxy Z Flip. Nevertheless, I do not contemplate the Flip and Fold to be in the identical class of gadgets, although they had been launched alongside one another and have foldable screens.
And sure, a Galaxy Fold FE would imply a extra inexpensive foldable with a big display screen, which might probably be helpful for the underside line. It is simply not one thing that I believe ought to exist, but. Not till Samsung can reclaim its title because the greatest foldable telephone maker.
Concentrate on making the perfect, after which fear about the remainder.
Regardless, it could be time for a Galaxy Z Fold Extremely
Late final yr, Samsung proved that it knew easy methods to make the foldable that many would need, because the Galaxy Z Fold Particular Version was launched. Sadly, this was solely accessible in Samsung’s residence nation of South Korea, arriving only a few months after the Z Fold 6 was launched.
The Particular Version launched upgraded cameras, a slimmer design, bigger screens, and mainly every little thing we have been wanting. Moreover the restricted availability, the one factor that is lacking is S Pen assist, a change that we will solely hope will not come to the Fold 7.
On the finish of the day, I am nonetheless holding out hope for the “no-compromise” foldable from Samsung. The one filled with all of the bells and whistles, and primarily the Galaxy S25 Extremely with a foldable display screen. Will that ever occur? Most likely not. However a man can hope, proper?
For extra information and data on Samsung’s upcoming foldables, try our Final Information.
