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Has Samsung canceled a more affordable foldable phone?
- There are conflicting rumors about the launch of a Galaxy Z Flip 3 Lite model.
- This would be positioned as a cheaper version of the Galaxy Z Flip 3.
Samsung is widely expected to launch the Galaxy Z Fold 3 and Galaxy Z Flip 3 foldable phones in the coming weeks, marking the latest devices in the firm’s trailblazing foldable range. But it sounds like the manufacturer was thinking about a cheaper foldable.
The Korea Herald news outlet reports that Samsung is expected to launch a Galaxy Z Flip 3 Lite in addition to the other two aforementioned foldables on August 11. The firm cites unspecified rumors for the Lite model’s existence, adding that it’s a “mass-market model with a more affordable price tag.”
However, the existence of a Galaxy Z Flip 3 Lite has been brought into question by display industry insider Ross Young. The display analyst claimed last week that the Lite model had been canceled due to the ongoing industry chip shortage.
Young also asserts that the Z Flip 3 will be priced in line with the supposed Lite model (see tweet above). We usually take the analyst’s non-display-related posts with a pinch of salt, but we’ve previously heard rumors about a cheaper Z Flip 3 price.
This wouldn’t be the first time we heard of a potentially cheaper Galaxy Z Flip model alongside a standard variant either. Back in December 2020, ET News reported that Samsung was working on two Z Flip phones for 2021 with “different performance and features.” So it certainly sounds like the manufacturer may have been working on two Z Flip 3 devices at some stage, but it’s unclear whether this is still the case.
What do you think is a fair price for a mid-range foldable phone?
We also heard about a cheaper Galaxy Fold device back in 2020, with UBI Research and tipster Max Weinbach claiming a so-called Galaxy Z Fold Lite or Z Fold FE was on the way. We’d definitely welcome much cheaper Samsung foldables, but it sounds like you shouldn’t hold your breath for a 2021 launch.
We’ve nevertheless asked Samsung about the apparent Galaxy Z Flip 3 Lite and will update the article if/when the firm gets back to us. What do you think is a reasonable price for a mid-range foldable? Let us know via the poll above.