The Galaxy Z Fold 7 will be the phone that pushes prices 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, significantly 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 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 relation to Samsung’s single-screen gadgets.

There’s nonetheless some controversy over whether or not there is perhaps an Extremely tier of the Galaxy Z Fold 7, or whether or not the Fold 7 will merely embrace Extremely-style options. Samsung may additionally need to change up the gadget’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 likelihood that it is going to be a step too far for telephone costs. The product’s success or failure goes to rely 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 hire, meals, and utilities, however the different tech gadgets you possibly can afford with that cash. You may, for instance, purchase a gaming-quality laptop computer, or a well-equipped MacBook Professional, and each would accomplish much more than operating Bluesky and YouTube side-by-side. Heck, when you purchased an entry-level laptop computer just like the MacBook Air, you’d have the money leftover for a finances telephone too.

As issues are, the Fold 6 nonetheless makes some compromises, consider it or not. Its cameras, as an illustration, 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 danger that sand grains will sneak in by the hinge and injury inner parts.

On a technical stage, it is excellent news that the 2 gadgets would possibly obtain nearer parity. However it’s exhausting to think about how the Z Fold 7 might price something lower than $2,000, given increased components prices and the continued US commerce battle. For most individuals, that is an eye-watering sum, even when it’d assist you to merge a telephone and pill right into a single buy. You may 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.

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Market turmoil might drive costs even increased, and that is with out including further 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 really hardcore (or insane). Conceivably, you might be spending $2,400 or extra on a fully-equipped Z Fold 7. $2,500 is not out of the realm of risk.

I am unable to think about most customers being prepared to comply with Samsung down that path, not to mention be capable to in a tariff-battered financial system.

Sadly for Samsung, there isn’t any infinite ceiling on what individuals are prepared to pay, no matter whether or not they’re focusing on a “premium” demographic. $2,000 is not an impulse buy for anybody however the wealthy, and in some unspecified time in the future, even they could 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 might ever be able to personal.

A technique or one other, Samsung appears prone to smash by trade pricing norms, which have to date saved issues below $2,000 so long as you do not go hog-wild on storage. I am unable to think about most customers being prepared to comply with Samsung down that path, not to mention be capable 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 in all probability is not forecasting enormous gross sales numbers. It’s doable, nonetheless, and all you must 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 images are extremely immersive, and most all the pieces might be managed with hand gestures alone. If you happen to’ve obtained a Mac, the Imaginative and prescient Professional can simulate a huge 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 you could get some mild work carried out.

Each firm has to satisfy customers the place they reside, 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 under Apple’s expectations, resulting in slashed manufacturing quotas. I am unsure what Apple was pondering. The most well-liked VR headset available on the market — 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 further for the most effective of the most effective, however each firm has to satisfy customers the place they reside, 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 could to maintain Z Fold 7 costs clos to these of the Fold 6, making the most of 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, when 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 as if, with rumors pointing to an early July occasion in New York Metropolis. Even Samsung might not understand how it may value issues but, nonetheless. The insurance policies of the Trump administration are all the time shifting, so the corporate might simply as simply be slammed by huge tariffs as rescued by a commerce deal. I would not need to be a Samsung government in the mean time.