Latest news with #foldablephone
Gizmodo
10 hours ago
- Gizmodo
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 Review: Foldable Perfection That's Tempting Me to Leave My iPhone
Disregard the fact that there's a whole world of Chinese-made book-style foldables as thin and light as the Galaxy Z Fold 7 that Americans can't buy, and Samsung's latest phone-to-tablet foldable is what we've been waiting for. It only took Samsung six years to make its flagship foldable as svelte as a regular bar smartphone, but the Z Fold 7 delivers in all aspects. The only thing that holds it back is the $2,000 price tag, a $100 increase over last year's Z Fold 6. See Galaxy Z Fold 7 at Amazon See Galaxy Z Fold 7 at It's often difficult to see the march of progress year-over-year. It's only over multiple generations of small improvements that you see how far along things have really come. The road to the Z Fold 7 has been in the making since 2019, when Samsung released the first-gen Fold and disaster struck immediately when people started peeling its pre-installed protective film and literally destroying the folding display. The original Fold was also too skinny to use as a regular phone when closed, the cover screen was too tiny, and the whole thing was too thick and heavy. The Z Fold 7 is a miracle in engineering compared to that first Fold—delivering everything that Samsung wanted to achieve with that pioneering foldable. Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold 7 delivers on the dream of a book-style foldable that's feels no different from a bar phone when closed, but it's not cheap. Pros Cons Year-over-year, the Z Fold 7 sheds some major weight, adds a flagship-level main camera, and increases performance while sprinkling just enough new Galaxy AI and Gemini features to not feel like Samsung went overboard. The Z Fold 7 also ships in what might be the nicest shade of blue that I've seen on any phone. (Yes, even prettier than the Pacific Blue iPhone 12 Pro and Ultramarine OnePlus 8 Pro.) In six years of reviewing Samsung Z Folds, I've not once felt compelled to leave my iPhone for one just to get an extra tablet-sized screen. Not even for better-made book-style foldables like the Pixel 9 Pro Fold or OnePlus Open, both of which I gave high marks. But the Z Fold 7 captivated me from the second I laid my fingers on it. The last time an Android phone truly made me want to leave Apple's walled garden was the Galaxy Note 7, which took breaths away with its sleek, dual-curved display and had such a tightly packed design that faulty batteries literally killed it. Leaving Apple's walled garden would be uncomfortable for my friends and family who choose to live in Apple's ecosystem, but features like RCS for improved messaging interoperability and AirDrop-replacement apps like LocalSend for sending files to and from Apple devices make switching easier than before. You really have to hold the Z Fold 7 in your hand to believe that it's virtually the same thickness (8.9mm) and weight (215g) as a regular flagship bar-style phone. Even having used the foldable for a week, I still marvel at it every time I unlock the 6.3-inch cover screen with my fingerprint or face and use it like a regular phone, or unfold it to get the 8-inch screen. Both displays are really bright, really sharp, and support 120Hz refresh rates. The folding screen still has a visible crease—one that I expect to deepen with folds over time—and you'll still feel the hinge underneath it every time your finger runs over it, but I rarely noticed it while reading, watching videos, or playing games. The crease is an engineering compromise that I don't think foldables will ever solve (though Apple will reportedly try). You just learn to ignore it over time, the same way you stop noticing a notch or a hole-punch camera on non-folding phones. I agreed to not do any drop or bend tests on the Z Fold 7 in order for Samsung to provide me with a loaner unit to evaluate, so I'll have to leave the durability tests to attention-seeking YouTubers and TikTokers. But I did try lightly flexing the device when it's open, and at its thinnest, and I didn't feel it had much give with normal use. I'm not saying accidentally sitting on the Z Fold 7 won't mean instantly destroying your $2,000 foldable, but Samsung at least beefed up the hinge and the 'Armor aluminum' frame, toughened the glass backside, and doubled the thickness of the folding screen. The IP rating, unfortunately, is the same IP48; it would have been great to see a bump up in water- and dust-resistance, but I guess Samsung needs to save upgrades for the Z Fold 8 and beyond. As you'd expect, $2,000 gets you the very best of what Samsung has to offer. Well, almost everything. I've got no complaints about the main specs: Qualcomm's latest and most powerful Snapdragon 8 Elite with Galaxy chip, up to 16GB of RAM, and up to 512GB of storage. Unsurprisingly, the Snapdragon chipset is a beast on benchmarks, but I'd be lying if I told you I could feel a 38% CPU boost or a 26% increase in GPU performance for regular phone tasks like browsing the web, scrolling on social media, or sending emails. The 41% faster neural processing unit, or NPU, however, does seem to make on-device AI processing speedier. For example, generating summaries and wallpapers, or using AI writing and AI photo and audio editing tools, did seem speedier than I remembered last year. The battery is the same 4,400mAh capacity in the Z Fold 6, but I had no problems getting through a full day with power to spare, even when I was pushing the foldable hard with lots of apps, photography, and AI usage through Gemini and Perplexity. I was more surprised that Samsung didn't remove wireless charging or reverse wireless charging—either feature is usually the first to go when phones are put on the Atkins diet. Hell, there's even a SIM card tray; Samsung could have easily switched to eSIM and used the extra space for something else like a larger battery. The one feature from previous Z Folds that didn't make it into the Z Fold 7 is the S Pen. I'm not mourning the loss of support for the stylus that was sold separately, but I know S Pen loyalists will, since it makes sense to want a larger screen to write notes or draw on. I wouldn't hold my breath for Samsung bringing it back or building it into the frame since it says usage was low, especially now that the profile, when unfolded, is the thinnest (4.2mm) it's ever been. See Galaxy Z Fold 7 at The cameras on Samsung's Z Folds have always been a few steps behind the ones in the Galaxy S series. That's not the case anymore—the Z Fold 7 has the same 200-megapixel main camera as the S25 Ultra. There's also a 13-megapixel ultra-wide and 10-megapixel 3x telephoto lens. The cameras punched into the cover and folding display are 10 megapixels each. Photos from the main camera look great with sharp details, vibrant dynamic range, and tons of resolution to get optical-quality 2x and 3x shots (crop-ins using the 200-megapixel sensor). The rest of the Z Fold 7's cameras are fine. The ultra-wide lens now has autofocus and can take close-up macro photos, and the 3x telephoto is good enough (the 10x, 20x, and 30x digital zooms take fuzzy photos with low-res details). The camera on the inside of the folding screen has a slightly wider 100-degree field of view that's handy for fitting more in a selfie or group shot. Videos look better than before with improved quality in low-light situations and less noise. And you can record in 10-bit HDR, which just means your videos will display more colors and content will appear brighter. I was delighted to see smoother video stabilization with less jerky movements when panning the Z Fold 7 or walking and recording. Samsung's One UI 8 is one of, if not the, best customizations of Android I've seen. It's fast and smooth and has extra levels of personalization that I wish Pixel phones had. About the only thing I don't like is how much Samsung is starting to borrow from iOS. Sure, Apple's moving on to Liquid Glass (or perhaps more like frosted glass if the latest iOS 26 developer beta 3 is anything to go by), but there are some areas of One UI 8, like the Lock Screen clock and widget customization, that look too similar to iOS. Gander at the sliders and tell me they're not the same. It's a small thing, but I suppose Samsung's tweak of Android 16 is nowhere near as blatant as the shameless copying you'll find from Xiaomi or Huawei phones. It's 2025, and that means you can't buy a new phone—foldable or not—without being bombarded with how AI is going to change how you use it. Samsung's usual plate of Galaxy AI features, including generative photo editing, translations, and summaries, returns on the Z Fold 7, with some new ones that can only be described as minor. With its larger screen, you can compare original and edited photos side by side or use the Audio Eraser tool to remove background noise such as wind or traffic. They all work as advertised and better than the same or similar AI features on other phones (especially iPhone's embarrassing suite of Apple Intelligence features), but they're not exactly $2,000 selling points. Nor is multimodal Gemini Live, which lets you type, talk, or 'see' what's on screen or through the camera and then respond. There's little that having Gemini pre-loaded into the Z Fold 7 can do that you can't do just by installing the Gemini app on another phone. Sure, it's nice to load up Gemini on the Z Fold's larger screen in fullscreen, as a split-view app, or as a floating window and not have the keyboard take up the whole bottom half, but I wouldn't say it's game-changing by any means. Gemini is still just a chatbot in a window that you can summon on command. If I've saved any time using Gemini on the Z Fold 7, I haven't felt it much. I'm still spending a stupid amount of time looking at social media. I cannot stop gushing over the Z Fold 7 every single time I pick it up. There are some minor observations that I've noticed in my week of using it, like the fact it can get hot in the summer heat faster than I've experienced on any other bar-style phones. (It's so thin, there's just less room for a vapor chamber or cooling.) The pill-shaped camera bump, while not as massive as on other foldables, causes the phone to wobble like crazy on a table. But none of these small compromises bother me when I can slip the Z Fold 7 in my pocket and my pants don't sag. I also love that I can read manga without having to pinch to zoom all the time to see the text or watch a movie without needing to squint (though the 'Flex mode' where you turn the Z Fold 7 into a little laptop is still silly). I've always believed in the benefits of a phone that unfolds into a tablet. It's just the thickness and weight, and other concerns like durability and unavailability in the U.S., that have always stopped me from putting my money where my mouth is. The Z Fold 7 is more expensive than before, and $2,000 is a lot of money for a phone (the cost for repairs isn't cheap either), but I'm obsessed with it, and thank god there are installment plans that break up the cost into monthly payments. I know my iPad mini, with iPadOS 26's Liquid Glass developer beta installed, is missing me, but I just don't care. The Z Fold 7 is my new gadget love, and I guarantee, it'll be yours too if you can stomach the price. See Galaxy Z Fold 7 at Amazon See Galaxy Z Fold 7 at
Geeky Gadgets
20 hours ago
- Geeky Gadgets
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip7 Unboxing and What's New (4K 60)
The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip7 represents a significant leap forward in foldable smartphone technology, offering a seamless blend of portability and powerful features. Designed for users who prioritize both style and functionality, this device introduces meaningful upgrades in durability, display technology, and performance. With its innovative design and advanced capabilities, the Galaxy Z Flip7 stands out as a versatile option for those seeking a compact yet feature-packed smartphone. The video below from Zollotech gives us a look at the new Galaxy Flip7. Watch this video on YouTube. Key Features and Pricing The Galaxy Z Flip7 is available in two storage configurations, catering to different user needs: 256GB priced at $1,199 512GB priced at $1,219 It is offered in four elegant color options—Blue Shadow, Jet Black, Coral Red, and Mint—allowing users to select a design that complements their personal style. These choices make the Flip7 a premium foldable device that balances aesthetic appeal with practicality. Durable and Compact Design The Galaxy Z Flip7 is engineered with durability and portability in mind. Its Armor Aluminum frame and Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 on both the front and back provide robust protection against everyday wear and tear. The redesigned flex hinge is thinner yet more durable, making sure long-term reliability even with frequent folding and unfolding. Weighing just 188g (6.63 oz), the Flip7 is lightweight and easy to carry, making it an ideal choice for users with active lifestyles or those who value compact devices. Enhanced Display Technology The Galaxy Z Flip7 features two innovative displays that enhance usability and visual experience: Main Display: A 6.9-inch AMOLED panel with a resolution of 2520×1080, a 120Hz refresh rate, and a peak brightness of 2600 nits. This ensures vivid colors , smooth scrolling , and excellent visibility even in bright sunlight. A 6.9-inch AMOLED panel with a resolution of 2520×1080, a 120Hz refresh rate, and a peak brightness of 2600 nits. This ensures , , and excellent visibility even in bright sunlight. Cover Display: A 4.1-inch AMOLED screen with a resolution of 1048×948 and the same 120Hz refresh rate. This secondary display provides quick access to notifications, widgets, and essential functions without the need to unfold the device. Both displays are optimized for responsiveness and prolonged use, delivering a seamless viewing experience whether you're browsing, gaming, or multitasking. Performance Powered by Exynos 2500 At the heart of the Galaxy Z Flip7 is the Exynos 2500 chipset, built on an advanced 3nm architecture. This processor delivers: 9% faster CPU performance for smoother app launches and multitasking for smoother app launches and multitasking 23% improved graphics for enhanced gaming and visual experiences for enhanced gaming and visual experiences 22% better AI capabilities for smarter, more efficient operations Paired with 12GB of RAM, the Flip7 ensures reliable performance across a variety of demanding tasks, from video editing to running multiple apps simultaneously. This makes it a powerful tool for both productivity and entertainment. Camera Features for Content Creators The Galaxy Z Flip7 is equipped with a versatile camera system designed to meet the needs of content creators: Rear Cameras: A 50MP primary sensor with an f/1.8 aperture and 2x optical zoom, complemented by a 12MP ultra-wide lens with an f/2.2 aperture for capturing expansive shots. A 50MP primary sensor with an f/1.8 aperture and 2x optical zoom, complemented by a 12MP ultra-wide lens with an f/2.2 aperture for capturing expansive shots. Front Camera: A 10MP sensor that delivers sharp selfies and high-quality video calls. For video enthusiasts, the device supports 10-bit HDR recording and 4K resolution at 60fps, allowing professional-grade results. These features make the Flip7 a reliable companion for capturing stunning photos and videos, whether for personal use or social media. Battery Life and Charging The Galaxy Z Flip7 is powered by a 4,300mAh battery, a notable improvement over its predecessor. It supports 25W fast charging, allowing users to quickly recharge and stay connected throughout the day. This enhanced battery capacity ensures the device can handle intensive tasks, such as gaming or video streaming, without frequent interruptions for charging. Software and AI Integration Running on Android 16 with Samsung's One UI 8, the Galaxy Z Flip7 offers a highly customizable and user-friendly interface. Users can personalize wallpapers, widgets, and clock fonts to suit their preferences. The device also introduces new AI-driven features, including: Call Assist: Improves call clarity and enhances functionality during conversations. Improves call clarity and enhances functionality during conversations. Writing Assist: Boosts productivity with smarter text suggestions and corrections. Boosts productivity with smarter text suggestions and corrections. Interpreter: Provides real-time language translation for seamless communication. Additionally, the Flip7 debuts Samsung DeX support in the Flip series, allowing a desktop-like experience when connected to a monitor, further enhancing its versatility. Connectivity and Durability The Galaxy Z Flip7 supports the latest connectivity standards, making sure fast and reliable performance: 5G: Delivers ultra-fast mobile internet speeds for streaming, gaming, and downloads. Delivers ultra-fast mobile internet speeds for streaming, gaming, and downloads. Wi-Fi 7: Provides high-speed wireless connections for seamless browsing and multitasking. Provides high-speed wireless connections for seamless browsing and multitasking. Bluetooth 5.4: Ensures smooth pairing with accessories and other devices. The device is rated IP48 for water resistance, capable of withstanding submersion in up to 5 feet of freshwater for 30 minutes. However, it lacks dust resistance, so users should exercise caution in dusty environments. Security and Usability The Galaxy Z Flip7 offers multiple security features for convenient and secure access. It integrates a fingerprint sensor into the power button and supports face unlock, providing flexibility in how users unlock their device. Additionally, the main display's optimized PWM (Pulse Width Modulation) performance ensures smooth visuals, though some users may experience sensitivity issues with the cover display. Why the Galaxy Z Flip7 Stands Out The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip7 delivers a sophisticated foldable experience, combining durability, advanced hardware, and intuitive software. Its compact design, powerful performance, and innovative features make it an excellent choice for a wide range of users, from content creators to multitaskers and tech enthusiasts. For those seeking a smartphone that balances style and substance, the Galaxy Z Flip7 is a standout option in the foldable market. Here are more guides from our previous articles and guides related to Samsung Galaxy Z Flip7 that you may find helpful. Source & Image Credit: zollotech Filed Under: Android News, Mobile Phone News, Top News Latest Geeky Gadgets Deals Disclosure: Some of our articles include affiliate links. If you buy something through one of these links, Geeky Gadgets may earn an affiliate commission. Learn about our Disclosure Policy.
Digital Trends
2 days ago
- Digital Trends
I'm excited for the Pixel 10 Pro Fold, but it could let us down in one area
The Google Pixel 10 Pro Fold looks set to gain a number of significant upgrades over its predecessor including a larger display, smaller hinge, bigger battery, and improved dust resistance. The Google Pixel 10 series is tipped to arrive in the coming months – possibly as soon as August – and we're expecting to see a quartet of new devices, including the Pixel 10 Pro Fold. Recommended Videos Now, Android Headlines claims to have received a bumper crop of intel around the upcoming foldable phone. I've had my Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold since release day (September 2024), and while I'm happy with the device overall, there are areas where improvements can be made. If the latest report is accurate, then there are a number of positives to look forward to for the Pixel 10 Pro Fold – but there's one area which still concerns me. Larger The Pixel 10 Pro Fold is being tipped to come with a larger outer display, with a modest increase from 6.3 inches to 6.4 inches, and max brightness is said to jump by 10% to 3000 nits. While an extra 0.1-inch may not seem all that significant, it's what Google is doing to accommodate the increase which has me excited. One of the small annoyances I have with the 9 Pro Fold is the size of the bezels around the outer screen, and the pronounced curve in each corner which eats into apps which utilise the corner space afforded by a traditional squared-off screen. It's not every app, and it doesn't prevent me from using the ones it does affect – but I always find it a little jarring when returning to the phone as I move between handsets for testing. The report claims Google is reducing the size of these bezels, allowing for a larger front display – and hopefully one which doesn't eat into the corners quite as much. The Pixel 10 Pro Fold will apparently also benefit from a smaller hinge, which could help reduce the overall size and weight of the device. That would be a welcome development, as the 9 Pro Fold now feels particularly porky when compared to the ultra-thin Honor Magic V5 (the world's thinnest foldable) and the newly release Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7. Bigger Another positive development potentially on the cards for the Pixel 10 Pro Fold is a bigger battery, with the same report claiming capacity will increase from 4,650mah on the 9 Pro Fold, to 5,015mAh on the new foldable. Now, battery life hasn't been a real concern for me during my time with the 9, as the phone tends to get through a day before needing a charge come 11pm when it's often dipping below 20%. However, an increase in battery size will hopefully signal an improvement here, which is always nice. It won't be the largest battery in a foldable though, as the Magic V5 manages to squeeze in a 5,800mAh carbon silicon power pack into its impressively slender frame. Faster The spec leak also flags the Pixel 10 Pro Fold to be in line for Google's G5 chipset and 16GB of RAM. That's the same memory as its predecessor, but the new chipset should provide a performance increase for faster operation and possibly better efficiency. You might get a new storage option too, with 1TB being rumored as a third choice alongside 256GB and 512GB. It'll likely carry a mammoth price tag though. Stronger And finally, the Pixel 10 Pro Fold might offer a spec its rivals can't match; IP68. This rating refers to the handset's dust and water resistance capabilities. The first number relates to dust, while the second indicates its water resistance levels. We've seen numerous foldables with an '8' rating for water (protection against submersion), so nothing special – it's the dust rating which is of interest here. The Honor Magic V5 has a '5' rating for dust, while the newly announced Galaxy Z Fold 7 only manages a '4' rating – for protection against particles 1mm and larger. With a '6' rating, the Pixel 10 Pro Fold would feature total protection against dust particles – which should mean care-free trips to the beach, and improved overall durability. But I expect more I've loved what Google does with its cameras for years. I remember being blown away by the quality of shots I got from the Pixel 3 when I took it on vacation to Thailand in 2018. It continues to fine tune its software and image processing smarts alongside camera hardware, and my Pixel 9 Pro Fold is a very capable snapper, yet it didn't get the best camera hardware despite being Google's most expensive handset. Instead, the Pixel 9 Pro and 9 Pro XL were treated to a 50MP + 48MP + 48MP triple camera setup, while the Fold got a 48MP + 10.8MP + 10.5MP configuration. I understand some compromises have to be made when it comes to foldables, so manufacturers can fit all the features you'd expect from a smartphone inside a form factor that isn't too big or heavy. If the latest report is accurate, the upcoming Pixel 10 Pro Fold is set to inherit pretty much the same camera setup as the 9 Pro Fold, with the 48MP + 10.8MP + 10.5MP configuration tipped to appear again. Sure, I fully expect Google will improve the software around the camera to enhance images, but I also expect the Pixel 10 Pro and 10 Pro XL to feature upgraded camera hardware over their predecessors. Meanwhile the Pixel 10 Pro Fold will likely cost considerably more. The Pixel 9 Pro XL started at $1,099, while the Pixel 9 Pro Fold started at $1,799. That's a lot of additional cash to have inferior camera hardware. If I'm paying top dollar for a phone, I want to be getting the best hardware available. When will the Google Pixel 10 series launch? We do need to take this report, and all previous rumors and leaks, with a pinch of salt, as we won't know for sure what the Google Pixel 10 Pro Fold (and the rest of the Pixel 10 series) will offer until it's officially announced. Last year we saw Google announce the Pixel 9, Pixel 9 Pro, Pixel 9 Pro XL and Pixel 9 Pro Fold on August 13, with the 9 and 9 Pro XL going on sale on August 22. The Fold was delayed a week or so, with its release date on September 4, while the 9 Pro hit shelves on September 9. It's fair to expect a similar launch pattern this year for the Pixel 10 series. According to the Android Headlines report, Google is prepping an August 20 launch for the series, with pre-orders apparently due to go live the same day. It's also tipping the Google Pixel 10 release date for August 28, although it's not clear whether the Fold will be included here or delayed like last year.
Android Authority
2 days ago
- Business
- Android Authority
iPhone Fold could be cheaper than the Galaxy Z Fold 7 or 8
TL;DR Apple could achieve a lower manufacturing cost of the iPhone Fold, allowing for a price under $2,000. The iPhone Fold could cost about 4% less to manufacture than the China-exclusive Galaxy Z Fold Special Edition from last year. This is likely possible with smaller screens and less emphasis on sleekness than Samsung. The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 is an exquisite foldable phone, but its $2,000 price likely makes it undesirable to many. While Apple is expected to enter the segment in late 2026, it could surprise us with relatively more appealing pricing. Investment firm UBS recently shared an analysis of the iPhone Fold, including crucial information from the supply chain that could help determine the pricing of Apple's first book-style foldable. In a note titled 'Unfolding the implications of an iPhone Fold launch' (via Fortune), UBS analyst Jimmy Yoon predicts the potential bill of materials (BOM) for the book-style foldable version of the iPhone, which could impact its price. Referring to a Galaxy Z Fold SE (presumably, the sleek China-exclusive Special Edition that Samsung launched last year), Yoon notes the BOM was $790. Since the globally unveiled Galaxy Z Fold 7 features similar elegant hardware and a newer processing platform — the Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy, the manufacturing cost is only expected to have shot upward. Further, the rumored return of the S Pen next year could help Samsung justify an even higher price for the Galaxy Z Fold 8. Similarly, the upcoming Pixel 10 Pro Fold is also expected to be priced above $2,000. Comparing the Galaxy Z Fold with the awaited iPhone Fold, the analyst predicts that the latter's BOM could be roughly 4% lower, at $759. In comparison, the iPhone 16 Pro Max's BOM was estimated (via Apple Insider) to be only $485 at the time of its launch last year. The analyst says Apple is expected to save costs on the memory (or RAM), chipset, and camera modules. It could also ditch super-premium materials that would otherwise increase the manufacturing costs for the folding hinge and housing. For these components, Apple is rumored to rely on titanium for the frame and a mysterious 'liquid metal' for the hinge. Notably, Samsung uses an advanced aluminum alloy for the chassis. Meanwhile, the hinge is made from Grade 4 titanium, which is the strongest form of 'commercially pure' titanium and allows the hinge to be lightweight while ensuring the highest strength. Titanium grades 5 and upwards (which go up to 38) are available in alloy form and contain other elements such as aluminum, iron, vanadium, etc., which add more durability but also increase the weight. Based on the lower BOM, Yoon forecasts the iPhone Fold could be priced between $1,800 and $2,000, making it a tad more attractive than the Galaxy Z Fold 7. This estimation also beats previous analyses that suggested a much higher price for the foldable iPhone. Despite expectations that Apple will set a more attractive price for the iPhone Fold, Samsung is set to benefit from the launch initially, as one of the chief suppliers for foldable displays. LG's display arm may soon add to the supply, allowing Apple to diversify its pool of vendors. Other measures that Apple could take to cut back its production costs include opting for a smaller inner display and limiting back cameras to just two instead of three. Got a tip? Talk to us! Email our staff at Email our staff at news@ . You can stay anonymous or get credit for the info, it's your choice.
Phone Arena
2 days ago
- Business
- Phone Arena
Apple's first foldable iPhone could cost less than you expected
Investment firm UBS recently released a note to its clients about the iPhone Fold . According to UBS, Apple will release a book-style foldable in the style of the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold line next year. The analysis done by the Swiss-based company shows that Apple's Bill of Materials (BOM) for the foldable iPhone could be $759, 4% less than what Samsung pays for the parts to build the Galaxy Z Fold SE ($790). UBS says that Apple will be able to save money on memory, application processors, and camera modules. The securities house sees Apple limiting production of its first foldable to 10 million to 15 million units. While initial estimates called for Apple to price its first foldable in a range between $2,000 and $2,400, UBS says that Apple's discipline on costs could allow it to price the phone at $1,800-$2,000. That would still make it the most expensive iPhone ever. The contribution margins are forecast to be in a range of 53%-58%, which matches the same margins on Samsung's foldables and tops the contribution margins on the iPhone 16 line. The report to UBS clients confirms previous reports that say Samsung Display will be the main supplier of the 7-inch internal OLED screens for the iPhone Fold . It is expected that as Apple starts expanding production of its foldable phone, LG Display will also get some orders from the tech giant. Suppliers for parts such as the foldable's titanium casing and its liquid metal hinge will include companies like Lens Technology, Amphenol, and Hon Hai (Foxconn). Speaking of Hon Hai (Foxconn), UBS says it will be the primary assembler of the iPhone Fold , with Luxshare as the secondary assembler. UBS believes that Apple's long-awaited entry into the foldable smartphone market will speed up the adoption of foldable devices in smartphones, tablets, and notebooks in the medium to long term. The investment firm's analysts also say that Apple's late arrival into foldables might actually be a positive for it. The supply chain for foldables is now mature, and the technology has been refined. Not only does this mean that Apple has the ability to build a more advanced foldable, but it might be able to do it at a lower price than you'd expect. Secure your connection now at a bargain price! We may earn a commission if you make a purchase Check Out The Offer
