Key Takeaways:
Samsung launched the latest generation of its foldable smartphones – Galaxy Z Fold 6 and Galaxy Z Flip 6 – early last month. The South Korean electronics giant packed both devices with a host of AI features, powered by its generative AI model Galaxy AI, which debuted on the Galaxy S24 series.
However, apart from the new AI features and a few design tweaks, the Galaxy Z Fold 6 is only slightly different from the Galaxy Z Fold 5, which came out in Summer 2023. The new device’s display and camera sensors are the same as last year’s model.
When the Z Fold 6 came out, there was a lot of debate on its thickness. At 12.1mm, the Z Fold 6 is one of the chunkiest phones available on the market. Despite Samsung being one of the first to release foldable smartphones, the Z Fold 6 is much bigger in dimensions than the Honor Magic V2 at 9.9mm and Google’s Pixel 9 Pro Fold at 10.5mm.
Samsung Is Rumored To Release The Galaxy Z Fold 6 “Slim” On September 25
Now, reports are surfacing that Samsung is gearing up to launch a slimmer version of its flagship foldable. According to the Korean publication The Chosun Daily, the company is set to unveil the Galaxy Z Fold “Slim” in the country on September 25.
This new device is expected to have a slimmer design than the current generation Galaxy Z Fold series and will feature a book-style foldable design. The Z Fold 6 “Slim” will reportedly have a thickness of just over 11mm with a bigger 6.5-inch cover display and an 8-inch main display. For comparison, the Galaxy Z Fold 6 features a 6.26-inch cover display and a 7.61-inch main display.
There are also reports that the under-display selfie camera on the Galaxy Z Fold 6 “Slim” will be upgraded for a newer 5-megapixel lens. Samsung has been using the same 4MP sensor since the under-display camera technology was first introduced in the Z Series lineup with the Galaxy Z Fold 6.
Meanwhile, the device is largely expected to retain the 10MP camera on the cover display, and the 12MP ultra-wide sensor from the previous versions of the flagship foldable.
Another Korean tech publication, The Elec, reported that the company is considering using a titanium backplate for the Z Fold 6 Slim’s chassis, but the design choice presents challenges due to complexities in fabricating the hinge system and the backplate itself. Nevertheless, a titanium body would sync with the device’s “Slim” moniker.
Galaxy Z Fold 6 “Slim” Will Be Available In Select Global Markets
Samsung is limiting the device’s availability in the global markets. Following its launch in South Korea, the device may soon be made available in China, which is the world’s largest market for foldable smartphones. The smartphone is also expected to be produced in low numbers, with estimates suggesting only 400,000 to 500,000 units of the Galaxy Z Fold 6 “Slim” will be manufactured.
Samsung wants the Galaxy Z Fold 6 “Slim” to be a popular choice among foldable smartphone users, who are increasing in number every day. With its thinner form factor and bigger display, the device could be the sweet spot in Samsung’s foldable lineup.
In 2023, foldable smartphones accounted for approximately 1% of total smartphone ownership worldwide, which translates to about 50 million units among the 5 billion smartphone users. The market for foldable smartphones is gradually growing, with shipments expected to hit 24 million units this year.
A survey indicates that around 55% of smartphone users in the US, China, and South Korea are open to purchasing a foldable smartphone as their next device.
Latest news: Can Samsung’s Galaxy Z Flip 6 Record Videos In 8K.
