South Korean technology giant Samsung has unveiled a new range of slimmer foldable smartphones, with higher price tags driven by rising artificial intelligence-related component costs.
The new devices were launched on Wednesday in London as the company seeks to strengthen its leadership in the foldable smartphone market ahead of a possible entry by US rival Apple later this year.
Speaking at the launch, Samsung’s Head of Mobile Division, TM Roh, said the latest devices set a new benchmark for foldable smartphones and further enhance the premium mobile experience.
The flagship Galaxy Z Fold8 features a 7.6-inch display and measures 4.5 millimetres thick when unfolded, making it one of the slimmest foldable devices in the company’s lineup.
Samsung also introduced the Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra, its premium model and successor to the Z Fold7, with a starting retail price of $2,100. The device is 4.1 millimetres thick and weighs 215 grams.
The more compact Galaxy Z Flip8, designed primarily for social media users, is the most affordable of the new models, with prices starting at $1,200.
Industry analysts said Samsung’s latest launch reinforces its dominance in the foldable smartphone segment while positioning the company ahead of an expected foldable device from Apple.
Technology analyst Paolo Pescatore described the Galaxy Z Fold8 as the standout product of the launch, saying it demonstrates Samsung’s commitment to expanding the foldable market.
Another industry analyst, Francisco Jeronimo of IDC, said Samsung faces increasing pressure to defend the category it pioneered, especially as Apple is widely expected to enter the foldable smartphone market.
Samsung attributed the higher prices of the new devices to rising memory chip costs, driven by increasing global demand for artificial intelligence technologies.
