The world got its first glimpse of a foldable phone in 2018 with the unveiling of the Royale FlexPai. However, it wasn’t until 2019 that Samsung introduced the Galaxy Fold, the first foldable phone from a mainstream tech company. Since then, other players like Google, Oppo, Honor, and Xiaomi have hopped on the bandwagon, embracing the foldable form factor. Despite the initial excitement, one major obstacle has hindered the widespread adoption of foldable smartphones: the price.
Samsung seems to have taken note of this as new rumors suggest that next year we might see a third, more affordable foldable joining the lineup.
Renowned leaker @Tech_Reve has divulged Samsung’s plans for a more affordable foldable phone, aptly named the Galaxy Z FE. While specific details remain scarce, it’s yet to be determined if the Galaxy Z FE will adopt a book-style design like its predecessor, the Galaxy Z Fold FE, or opt for a clamshell-style akin to the Galaxy Z Flip FE.
Price and Availability
The rumours also suggest that the upcoming foldable FE device may have a price tag of around $800. This would make foldable technology much more accessible compared to the Galaxy Z Fold 5 priced at $1799 or the Galaxy Z Flip 5 priced at $999. According to the leaker, the Galaxy Z FE is expected to be unveiled after the releases of the Galaxy Z Fold 6 and Galaxy Z Flip 6 models, with a projected launch in mid-2024.
The S23 FE is set to be released soon, and there are possibilities that Samsung plans to consistently introduce the FE brand annually. Simultaneously, there are rumors of ongoing testing for the launch of the Galaxy Z FE(lite model), after the Fold/Flip 6.
— Revegnus (@Tech_Reve) August 20, 2023
FE Edition Set To Have An Annual Release Schedule
Revegnus also confirmed the upcoming unveiling of the Galaxy S23 FE, while mentioning that Samsung intends to introduce a new model each year, in contrast to the somewhat unpredictable release schedule of the current Galaxy series.
Also Read: How to pre-order the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 and Galaxy Z Fold 5 in Kenya
Samsung’s FE series has gained popularity as an irregularly-launched lineup of affordable flagships. The most recent addition, the Galaxy S21 FE in 2021, received praise for its flagship-level features at a $699 price point. However, we haven’t seen a new release since then.
The Samsung Galaxy S23 FE was absent from Unpacked, but recent leaks of benchmarks and key specs suggest its imminent arrival. With the continuous rise in premium phone prices, FE variants offer a wallet-friendly choice for budget-conscious buyers without compromising on a decent number of premium features.
Conclusion
While we can’t vouch for the credibility of this leaker, it’s worth considering the abundance of rumours surrounding other Samsung FE devices. In light of this, it’s not entirely implausible to envision the company launching a fan edition (hence, “FE”) version of their foldable design.
