The Galaxy Z Fold 7 would be the telephone 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 machine could possibly be introduced at an Unpacked occasion in early July.
The Z Fold 6 already begins close to $2,000, so the Fold 7 could possibly be astronomically costly, significantly with US tariffs wreaking havoc on the world economic system.
Samsung should study 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 subsequent 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 characterize absolutely the top-of-the-line in the case of Samsung’s single-screen units.

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 embody Extremely-style options. Samsung may additionally need to change up the machine’s naming scheme, on condition 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 it will likely be a step too far for telephone costs. The product’s success or failure goes to rely upon how a lot executives are keen to compromise.

Associated

The one thing your phone camera actually needs isn’t more megapixels

Large sensors look good on paper, however will not essentially make you a greater photographer.

Breaking the value precedent

There is not any infinite ceiling to capitalism

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

At the moment, earlier than any reductions, a 256GB configuration of the Z Fold 6 is $1,900. That is tough for most individuals to justify, contemplating not simply the price of hire, meals, and utilities, however the different tech units you’ll be able to afford with that cash. You can, 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, should you purchased an entry-level laptop computer just like the MacBook Air, you’d have the money leftover for a funds telephone too.

As issues are, the Fold 6 nonetheless makes some compromises, imagine it or not. Its cameras, as an example, aren’t on par with the S25 Ultra, which has far sharper main (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 threat that sand grains will sneak in by the hinge and injury inside parts.

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

Mockups of the Galaxy S25 Edge and iPhone 17 Air.

Associated

Thin is in, but will ultra-slim phones come at too steep a cost?

Does slimness even matter a lot in 2025?

Market turmoil may drive costs even larger, and that is with out including additional storage choices and equipment into the combo. A 512GB Z Fold 6 is $2,020, and there is a $2,260 1TB possibility for the actually hardcore (or insane). Conceivably, you would be taking a look at spending $2,400 or extra on a fully-equipped Z Fold 7. $2,500 is not out of the realm of chance.

I can not think about most buyers being keen to observe Samsung down that path, not to mention be capable to in a tariff-battered economic system.

Sadly for Samsung, there isn’t any infinite ceiling on what persons are keen 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 may 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 technique or one other, Samsung appears more likely to smash by trade pricing norms, which have thus far stored issues below $2,000 so long as you do not go hog-wild on storage. I can not think about most buyers being keen to observe Samsung down that path, not to mention be capable to in a tariff-battered economic system.

Associated

4 things you should be doing with your car’s USB port (that isn’t charging your phone)

The U in USB requirements for Common, not iPhone or Android.

Will Samsung study from its rivals?

Avoiding Apple’s faux-pas

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 in all probability is not forecasting enormous gross sales numbers. It’s potential, nevertheless, and all you need to have 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. Motion pictures, exhibits, video games, and even pictures are extremely immersive, and most every little thing might be managed with hand gestures alone. For those who’ve acquired a Mac, the Imaginative and prescient Professional can simulate a big ultra-wide show, doubtlessly saving you money on a multi-monitor setup. Not that you just essentially want one — native apps and a keyboard could also be all it’s good to get some gentle work finished.

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

The problem is that earlier than its launch, Apple wildly overestimated how a lot folks had been keen to pay. The most cost effective configuration is $3,500, and positive sufficient, gross sales have reportedly fallen beneath Apple’s expectations, resulting in slashed manufacturing quotas. I am undecided what Apple was considering. The most well-liked 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 persons are keen to pay additional for one of the best of one of the best, however each firm has to satisfy customers the place they dwell, not the place they’d like them to be.

Hopefully Samsung is conscious of this. Whether it is, it could be doing no matter it may well to maintain Z Fold 7 costs clos to these of the Fold 6, benefiting from its dealmaking clout and economies of scale. It might even be extra keen than some to sacrifice revenue margins. Apple is notoriously obsessive about margins, should 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 study its intent, it looks as if, with rumors pointing to an early July occasion in New York Metropolis. Even Samsung might not understand how it is going to worth issues but, nevertheless. The insurance policies of the Trump administration are at all times shifting, so the corporate may simply as simply be slammed by large tariffs as rescued by a commerce deal. I would not need to be a Samsung government in the mean time.