Love it or hate it, Samsung announced a new limited-edition foldable phone earlier today, and it is exclusive to a couple of markets. The Galaxy Z Fold Special Edition will go on sale in Korea later this week, but we're hoping this surprise release won't have repercussions next year.
Samsung's foldable phone launch strategy for 2024 has been abnormal, and we can only hope the company will never repeat it. Samsung released the Galaxy Z Fold 6 globally only a few months ago but said no word about a Special Edition model during Unpacked.
If it weren't for the rumors, we all would've been caught with our guard down by the Galaxy Z Fold Special Edition coming out of left field. We wouldn't be surprised if many Galaxy Z Fold 6 owners in Korea who don't follow tech rumors felt like Samsung pulled the rug from under their feet earlier this morning.
Simply put, the Special Edition is a step (or more) up from the Fold 6, except it lacks S Pen support. However, flagship phone upgrade cycles usually last 12 months or more, not merely three months. If Samsung had been open at Unpacked in June about an SE model coming soon, some Galaxy Z Fold 6 buyers — who aren't fans of the S Pen — would have waited for it.
It's hard to understand Samsung's decisions regarding the Fold series this year, but we can only hope things will be clearer in 2025. As it stands, it almost feels like Samsung shot itself in the foot with this unusual launch.
Samsung needs to be completely transparent next year
The way some of us see it, one problem with releasing this Special Edition foldable phone out of the blue is that, even if Galaxy Z Fold 6 owners aren't bothered by it, the SE could still hurt Galaxy Z Fold 7 sales next year.
Aside from the Galaxy Z Fold 6 owners who might feel like they just got burned by Samsung, many more people will likely be reluctant to buy the Galaxy Z Fold 7 at launch unless Samsung is 100% transparent next year.
Samsung can't be silent at Unpacked 2025. Saying nothing about the Special Edition phone during the next big foldable Unpacked won't be an option. Samsung can either announce the Galaxy Z Fold 7 alongside the 2025 Fold Special Edition globally or introduce just the Galaxy Z Fold 7 and specify whether or not the SE model will be coming later in the year – and where.
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The company has a few choices, but keeping quiet isn't one. Even if Samsung won't plan a Special Edition Fold in 2025, it still has to make that crystal clear. Otherwise, chances are that many people won't even bother with the Galaxy Z Fold 7, fearing that a Special Edition model could follow suit and they'll feel buyer's remorse in three months.
If I were to bet, I'd say Samsung will either release two global Fold models next year or only one Galaxy Z Fold 7 and claim it revamped it using all the lessons it learned from the 2024 Galaxy Fold Special Edition. Otherwise, I fear the Galaxy Z Fold 7 will be in big trouble if next year the company decides to act like the Galaxy Fold Special Edition didn't happen.
