The Galaxy Z Fold 7 would be the cellphone 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 gadget 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, notably with US tariffs wreaking havoc on the world economic 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 following 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 symbolize absolutely the top-of-the-line in terms of Samsung’s single-screen gadgets.

There’s nonetheless some controversy over whether or not there may 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 also wish 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 will probably be a step too far for cellphone costs. The product’s success or failure goes to rely on how a lot executives are keen to compromise.

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

Presently, 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 gadgets you possibly can afford with that cash. You could possibly, 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, for those who purchased an entry-level laptop computer just like the MacBook Air, you’d have the money leftover for a price range cellphone too.

As issues are, the Fold 6 nonetheless makes some compromises, consider it or not. Its cameras, for 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 implies you actually should not have it out throughout a seaside or desert outing. There’s an actual threat that sand grains will sneak in via the hinge and injury inside parts.

On a technical degree, it is excellent news that the 2 gadgets may obtain nearer parity. But it surely’s exhausting to think about how the Z Fold 7 might value something lower than $2,000, given greater components prices and the continuing US commerce warfare. For most individuals, that is an eye-watering sum, even when it’d mean you can merge a cellphone and pill right into a single buy. You could possibly purchase a (base) Galaxy S25 and a Galaxy Tab S10 and nonetheless slide underneath the $2,000 mark.

Mockups of the Galaxy S25 Edge and iPhone 17 Air.

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Market turmoil might drive costs even greater, 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 really 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 risk.

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

Sadly for Samsung, there is no infinite ceiling on what persons are keen 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 would ever be ready to personal.

A technique or one other, Samsung appears prone to smash via trade pricing norms, which have to this point stored issues underneath $2,000 so long as you do not go hog-wild on storage. I can not think about most customers being keen to comply with Samsung down that path, not to mention be capable to in a tariff-battered economic system.

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Apple's Vision Pro AR/VR headset on a stand.

It is affordable to doubt the chance of failure right here, contemplating that even Samsung most likely is not forecasting enormous gross sales numbers. It’s doable, nevertheless, and all it’s a must to take 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. Films, reveals, video games, and even images are extremely immersive, and most every part could be managed with hand gestures alone. For those who’ve acquired a Mac, the Imaginative and prescient Professional can simulate a huge ultra-wide show, probably 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 essential to get some mild work finished.

Each firm has to fulfill shoppers the place they stay, not the place they’d like them to be.

The difficulty is that earlier than its launch, Apple wildly overestimated how a lot folks have been keen to pay. The most cost effective 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 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 fulfill shoppers the place they stay, 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 could even be extra keen than some to sacrifice revenue margins. Apple is notoriously obsessive about margins, for those who 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’ll worth issues but, nevertheless. 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 wish to be a Samsung government for the time being.