- Samsung reportedly expects to sell many more foldable phones with its new models — up to 7 million.
- Lower prices for the Galaxy Z Fold 3 and Z Flip 3 would be key to the strategy.
- Whether or not customers bite is another matter.
Samsung’s foldable phones have long been considered niche devices, but the company is apparently keen to take them into the mainstream. South Korea’s Digital Daily claims that Samsung expects sales of the upcoming Galaxy Z Fold 3 and Flip 3 to reach 6 million to 7 million in the second half of 2021.
For context, unconfirmed reports suggested that Samsung only planned to make 800,000 Galaxy Z Fold 2 units in 2020, and that doesn’t include units reaching actual customers. If the projected figures are accurate, Samsung could sell several times more foldable phones in 2021 — still a far cry from conventional handsets (which sell in the tens of millions each quarter), but enough to make them a meaningful part of the company’s device mix.
See also: The best foldable phones you can get
This boost would come through a combination of lower prices and timing, according to DD. While the Fold 3 would only be slightly less expensive at 1.99 million won (about $1,725), the Flip 3 would cost less than the Galaxy S21 Ultra at ‘just’ 1.26 million won (roughly $1,092). Both foldable phones are also launching in the second half of the year without a Galaxy Note to steal the spotlight, giving them a way to stand out where the 2020 models vied for attention with the Galaxy S20 and Note 20.
It’s not certain Samsung will meet those reported goals. Lower prices and a brighter spotlight could help, but the company will still have to persuade people to accept the limits of foldable phones — they still tend to cost more than equivalent conventional models, and their displays are still fragile. It could be a long while before devices like the Z Fold and Z Flip are practical enough to sell in Galaxy S-level quantities.