Samsung to Unveil New Foldable Phones July 22, Intensifying Race with Apple

Samsung Electronics is set to reclaim its lead in the foldable smartphone market with the upcoming launch of its next-generation devices. The company will unveil the Galaxy Z Fold 8 and Flip 8 series at a Galaxy Unpacked event in London on July 22.

The Fold 8 line will see an expansion, introducing the Fold 8 Ultra in a 'book-style' format, similar to existing models, and a new 'passport-style' Fold 8. This passport-style Fold 8 will feature a shorter height and wider aspect ratio, with an external screen of approximately 5.4 inches and an internal screen offering a 4:3 aspect ratio when unfolded. The Fold 8 Ultra will retain the elongated book-style design, optimized for video viewing and multitasking, and will include S Pen support and a 5,000mAh battery.

Adding to the competitive landscape, Apple is reportedly preparing to launch its first foldable iPhone, the 'iPhone Ultra,' in September. This device is also expected to adopt a book-style design. Industry experts view Apple's entry as a potential market disruptor. Currently, Samsung leads the foldable market, holding a 40% share in 2023, according to Counterpoint Research. However, projections suggest that if Samsung and Apple go head-to-head in the latter half of this year, the market share could shift to 31% for Samsung and 28% for Apple.

A potential challenge for both companies is the anticipated price increase for foldable devices. Rising semiconductor costs, partly driven by AI advancements, are expected to impact manufacturing expenses. The Samsung Fold 8 is predicted to exceed 2.5 million won, and Apple has also signaled price hikes. Tim Cook, Apple's CEO, recently stated that price increases are "unavoidable."

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Unfortunately, price increases are unavoidable.