There's no denying the fact that the price has to come down before foldable smartphones can become the norm. Samsung realizes that and it's actively working to make these unique devices more affordable.
The new Galaxy Z Fold 3 and Galaxy Z Flip 3 have received a significant price cut over their predecessors. That's why they have broken sales records already. According to reports, we can expect the Galaxy Z Fold 4 to be even cheaper if Samsung is able to execute its next steps perfectly.
Samsung has a plan to make the Galaxy Z Fold 4 cheaper
The Galaxy Z Flip 3 price is already at a sweet spot. Starting at $999, it breaks a major psychological barrier for customers. Since these are still meant to be premium devices, it's unlikely we'll see the clamshell foldable's price dip any further.
However, the Galaxy Z Fold series could be cheaper still. Starting at $1,799, the Galaxy Z Fold 3 is 20% cheaper than its predecessors. The price tag is still a bit too high to make the device affordable for a lot more customers.
Samsung is looking to squeeze more value out of its supply chain in order to make the Galaxy Z Fold 4 cheaper. It wants to lower the mass production cost per unit while ensuring that the current quality standards are met. Improved yields for the Ultra-Thin Glass panels and further technology enhancement can help bring the cost of this critical component down.
The hinge is another expensive component in a foldable smartphone. There are now as many as four different suppliers that are vying to supply Samsung with the required components. Increased competition in the supply chain will also help the company bring prices down.
The report also mentions that Samsung will improve certain aspects of the Galaxy Z Fold 4. That's to be expected anyway. It particularly mentions the handset featuring Samsung's second-generation Under-Display Camera technology which will provide improved visibility and be even less noticeable.
Samsung has an entire year to do whatever it needs to do in order to bring the price down. The cheaper its top-of-the-line foldable becomes, the more it will be able to convince people to spend their money on it.
