Samsung makes a lot of money with the Flip 5 and Fold 5. But in 2024 the prices for cell phones with foldable displays are likely to fall. At the MWC, several manufacturers are showing affordable foldables.
Samsung is considered a pioneer when it comes to smartphones with foldable displays. With the Z Flip 5 and the Z Fold 5, the manufacturer is already offering two corresponding models in the fifth generation and, according to Statista, achieved a global market share of 70 percent in 2023. Even though sales figures in this segment are still comparatively small, foldables are a lucrative business for Samsung.
After all, both the Flip 5 and the Fold 5 cost well over 1,000 euros when they launched. But at MWC 2024 in Barcelona, a trend is emerging that Samsung is unlikely to like: foldables are becoming cheaper – at least those in flip format. Several manufacturers are showing competing models for the Galaxy Z Flip 5 that only cost a third.
Nubia Flip 5G costs less than 400 euros in Japan
Nubia, for example, is one of the manufacturers who want to shake up the market. The brand of the Chinese telecommunications group ZTE is showing the Nubia Flip 5G in Barcelona, the European version of the ZTE Libero Flip, which has been available in Japan since the end of February for the equivalent of under 400 euros. You don’t notice the low price of the cell phone. The folding mechanism works smoothly, but does not seem fragile. The crease between the halves of the display is visible and noticeable, but not at first glance.
The features are also impressive and are on par with other mid-range cell phones in this segment. The Nubia Flip 5G is powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 7 Gen 1 processor, has two 50-megapixel cameras and a 16-megapixel selfie camera. The display is 6.9 inches when unfolded. The cell phone draws power from a battery with a capacity of 4,310 mAh. It can be charged with up to 33 watts, the Samsung Flip 5 clearly outperforms it in this regard.
The Nubia Flip 5G is already being sold in Japan under the name ZTE Libero Flip for less than 400 euros. (Source: Netzwelt)
The biggest drawback compared to the Flip 5 is the external display. Here Nubia only uses a small circular screen. Unlike the Samsung phone, you can’t run apps on this phone; instead, you only have a few widgets available that you can use to access the music player and camera, for example.
How much the Nubia Flip 5 will cost in Germany and when it will be released is not yet known. We assume that the device will be more expensive here than in Japan. You can sign up for a newsletter on the homepage that will keep you up to date on the device.
Energizer Ultimate U660S and BlackView Hero 10
In addition to the Nubia Flip 5G, there are other affordable flip alternatives in the halls of the mobile phone trade fair in Barcelona – such as the Blackview Hero 10, which will only cost 399 euros, or the Energizer Ultimate U660S, which will be available in November for 499.90 euros trade should come. With both devices you have to make significant compromises in terms of hardware compared to the Samsung cell phone.
The Energizer Ultimate U660S will be released in November for 499.90 euros. (Source: Avenir Telecom)
The manufacturers rely on the MediaTek chip Helio G99, which is significantly weaker than the Qualcomm chip used in the Nubia Flip 5 and does not support the new 5G mobile communications standard. In addition, like the Nubia Flip 5G, you have to do without a full-fledged external display.
Reaction expected from Samsung
According to rumors, Samsung will react to the trend this year. The South Korean manufacturer is said to be working on an affordable folding cell phone in parallel with the Flip 6 and Fold 6.
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