The Galaxy Z Fold 7 would be the cellphone that pushes costs too far

Abstract

Samsung is rumored to be bringing S25 Extremely-level options to its subsequent flagship foldable, the Z Fold 7. The gadget might be introduced at an Unpacked occasion in early July.
The Z Fold 6 already begins close to $2,000, so the Fold 7 might be astronomically costly, notably with US tariffs wreaking havoc on the world financial system.
Samsung should be taught from Apple’s mistake of overpricing merchandise to make sure Z Fold 7’s success.

Samsung unleashed a small firestorm just lately when it teased its subsequent flagship foldable, presumably the Galaxy Z Fold 7. It used some uncommon language in its press launch, referring to “the following chapter of Extremely,” in addition to bringing an “Extremely expertise” to the product. That is an apparent reference to telephones just like the Galaxy S25 Ultra, which signify absolutely the top-of-the-line on the subject of Samsung’s single-screen gadgets.

There’s nonetheless some controversy over whether or not there could be an Extremely tier of the Galaxy Z Fold 7, or whether or not the Fold 7 will merely embrace Extremely-style options. Samsung may also wish to change up the gadget’s naming scheme, provided that “Z Fold 7” is not precisely enthralling. The corporate’s already spreading its branding with the Galaxy Watch Ultra.

It doesn’t matter what Samsung’s making, there’s an actual probability that will probably be a step too far for cellphone costs. The product’s success or failure goes to depend upon how a lot executives are prepared to compromise.

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An open silver Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 on a white table.

At present, earlier than any reductions, a 256GB configuration of the Z Fold 6 is $1,900. That is troublesome for most individuals to justify, contemplating not simply the price of lease, meals, and utilities, however the different tech gadgets you’ll be able to afford with that cash. You could possibly, for instance, purchase a gaming-quality laptop computer, or a well-equipped MacBook Professional, and each would accomplish much more than working Bluesky and YouTube side-by-side. Heck, in the event you purchased an entry-level laptop computer just like the MacBook Air, you’d have the money leftover for a finances cellphone too.

As issues are, the Fold 6 nonetheless makes some compromises, imagine it or not. Its cameras, for example, aren’t on par with the S25 Ultra, which has far sharper major (200-megapixel) and zoom (50-megapixel) sensors. It is also much less dust-resistant, which suggests you actually should not have it out throughout a seaside or desert outing. There’s an actual danger that sand grains will sneak in via the hinge and harm inside parts.

On a technical stage, it is excellent news that the 2 gadgets would possibly obtain nearer parity. However it’s arduous to think about how the Z Fold 7 might price something lower than $2,000, given greater components prices and the continuing US commerce conflict. For most individuals, that is an eye-watering sum, even when it would mean you can merge a cellphone and pill right into a single buy. You could possibly purchase a (base) Galaxy S25 and a Galaxy Tab S10 and nonetheless slide beneath the $2,000 mark.

Mockups of the Galaxy S25 Edge and iPhone 17 Air.

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Market turmoil might power costs even greater, and that is with out including additional storage choices and equipment into the combination. A 512GB Z Fold 6 is $2,020, and there is a $2,260 1TB choice for the really hardcore (or insane). Conceivably, you would be spending $2,400 or extra on a fully-equipped Z Fold 7. $2,500 is not out of the realm of risk.

I can not think about most buyers being prepared to observe Samsung down that path, not to mention have the ability to in a tariff-battered financial system.

Sadly for Samsung, there is not any infinite ceiling on what individuals are prepared to pay, no matter whether or not they’re concentrating on a “premium” demographic. $2,000 is not an impulse buy for anybody however the wealthy, and sooner or later, even they may begin to query in the event that they’re getting actual worth. For the remainder of us, the Z Fold 7 might find yourself feeling like a Lamborghini Countach. That’s, one thing good to dream about, however not a product we would ever be ready to personal.

A method or one other, Samsung appears prone to smash via trade pricing norms, which have up to now saved issues beneath $2,000 so long as you do not go hog-wild on storage. I can not think about most buyers being prepared to observe Samsung down that path, not to mention have the ability to in a tariff-battered financial system.

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Apple's Vision Pro AR/VR headset on a stand.

It is affordable to doubt the probability of failure right here, contemplating that even Samsung most likely is not forecasting enormous gross sales numbers. It’s attainable, nonetheless, and all it’s important to take a look at is Apple’s first entry into the AR and VR fields, the Vision Pro.

By all accounts, the headset is extraordinarily spectacular at what it does. Films, exhibits, video games, and even images are extremely immersive, and most every thing might be managed with hand gestures alone. For those who’ve acquired a Mac, the Imaginative and prescient Professional can simulate a huge ultra-wide show, probably saving you money on a multi-monitor setup. Not that you simply essentially want one — native apps and a keyboard could also be all you might want to get some gentle work performed.

Each firm has to satisfy shoppers the place they stay, not the place they’d like them to be.

The problem is that earlier than its launch, Apple wildly overestimated how a lot individuals had been prepared to pay. The most affordable configuration is $3,500, and positive sufficient, gross sales have reportedly fallen beneath Apple’s expectations, resulting in slashed manufacturing quotas. I am unsure what Apple was considering. The preferred VR headset in the marketplace — the Meta Quest 3 — accomplishes a lot of what the Imaginative and prescient Professional does for $3,000 much less. Some individuals are prepared to pay additional for the very best of the very best, however each firm has to satisfy shoppers the place they stay, not the place they’d like them to be.

Hopefully Samsung is conscious of this. Whether it is, it might be doing no matter it may possibly to maintain Z Fold 7 costs clos to these of the Fold 6, profiting from its dealmaking clout and economies of scale. It might even be extra prepared than some to sacrifice revenue margins. Apple is notoriously obsessive about margins, in the event you did not know, which can clarify not simply the Imaginative and prescient Professional, however issues just like the iPhone 16 missing a 120Hz show when many Android telephones have had one for years.

We’ll have to attend for Samsung’s full announcement to be taught its intent, it looks like, with rumors pointing to an early July occasion in New York Metropolis. Even Samsung could not know the way it should value issues but, nonetheless. The insurance policies of the Trump administration are at all times shifting, so the corporate might simply as simply be slammed by huge tariffs as rescued by a commerce deal. I would not wish to be a Samsung government in the mean time.