Samsung will unveil its new generation of foldable devices this week – but high prices are the main barrier keeping them out of users' hands.
The world's biggest mobile phone manufacturer will also have to attempt to regain its lead in the foldables market, which it lost for the first time in the first quarter of this year.
Seoul-based Samsung will unveil what is expected to be the Galaxy Z Fold6 and Flip6 at its second Unpacked event for 2024 in Paris on Wednesday. The company has not officially confirmed the names of the devices.
Improvements to both smartphones, according to multiple leaks and reports, include a flat-edged design similar to the recent Galaxy S24 series, improved cameras and a more powerful Galaxy AI platform, which it first incorporated into the S24 devices. A built-in S-Pen on the Fold6 is not expected.
However, despite the token and necessary upgrades to foldables, their price point remains the biggest sticking point for consumers who are considering making the switch to the still-niche form factor, hindering the sector's market growth, the analysts said.
Foldables remain more expensive compared to regular smartphones, mainly due to their more complex build. The Galaxy Fold, in particular, has started at $1,799 for the past two years, with Huawei’s device even more expensive.
That is compared to $1,299 for Samsung’s last top-tier device, the Galaxy S24 Ultra, and $1,199 for the iPhone 15 Pro Max. The Flip, meanwhile, presents a more affordable option at $999, at par with entry-level devices from Samsung and Apple’s latest series.
“Despite foldable hardware continually developing … the market has not grown as expected,” Aaron West, a senior analyst for smartphones at industry data tracker Omdia, told The National.
“High costs to consumers remain a key obstacle to more foldable market penetration. Any and all new foldable phone releases need to address both this cost and the lack of use cases to make foldable phones more enticing to consumers.”
In addition, consumers are taking note of improvements, including dust and water resistance, more sophisticated hinges, screen durability, battery life, camera technology, software support and the devices becoming lighter and thinner.
“Consistent improvements … indicate that foldables are becoming a serious category,” Akash Balachandran, research manager for mobile devices at the International Data Corporation, told The National.
“Foldable smartphones typically fall into the premium and ultra-premium categories, which limit reach and appeal. However, as ASPs [average selling prices] fall, we can expect a significant growth in sales, especially of the flip form factor, where prices are already dropping.”
Samsung loses its 'foldable' crown
Foldable smartphones remain a minor category in the overall smartphone market, but manufacturers have continuously pushed to bring more into the market as consumer preferences shift.
Their popularity has been mainly attributed to Samsung, which pushed the category into the mainstream, starting with the original Galaxy Z Fold in 2019. The company followed that up with the Galaxy Z Flip the following year, a smaller but also more affordable phone in a bid to attract more users.
Since then, Samsung has dominated the foldable category, with a market share that peaked at more than 80 per cent about two years ago.
However, a major shift happened in the first quarter of 2024: Huawei now has the biggest market share in foldables, cornering about 35 per cent of the market, unseating Samsung which had 23 per cent, markedly down from 58 per cent a year ago, a May report from Counterpoint Research shows.
Up-and-down forecasts
While industry reports on the future of the foldable smartphone sector agree that growth will continue, forecasted numbers vary.
Overall, shipments in the global foldable smartphone market are expected to hit 25 million units in 2024, up about 38 per cent from 18.1 million last year, and would further rise to 45.7 million by 2028, at a compound annual growth rate of 20.3 per cent, IDC data shows.
Samsung also has to contend with other notable brands that have their own foldables, including Oppo, Motorola, Google and Honor, the former Huawei sub-brand that placed third in the three months through March, according to Hong Kong-based Counterpoint's data.
Huawei's growth mainly stemmed from its home turf of China, being the “go-to” choice for consumers in the world's second-largest economy, Mr West said – despite the lack of Google services.
“Outside of China, Samsung’s biggest competitor is Honor for its ultra-thin book-style foldable phones and Motorola for its more affordable Razr series for flip-style foldable phones,” he said.
Meanwhile, a separate report from TrendForce in June forecasts that Samsung's market share will account for more than half of the market and retain the lead in 2024, with Huawei second with about 31 per cent share.
They would make up the upper tier of this year's race, where shipments are expected to hit 17.8 million units, the Taipei-based research firm said.
That would account for only 1.5 per cent of the overall smartphone market – but this is expected to grow to about 5 per cent by 2028, it added.
“It's only a matter of time before consumers no longer see a major compromise in choosing a foldable – but prices need to come down,” Mr Balachandran said.
The specs: 2018 Honda City
Price, base: From Dh57,000
Engine: 1.5L, in-line four-cylinder
Transmission: Continuously variable transmission
Power: 118hp @ 6,600rpm
Torque: 146Nm @ 4,600rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 5.8L / 100km
Global state-owned investor ranking by size
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Tips on buying property during a pandemic
Islay Robinson, group chief executive of mortgage broker Enness Global, offers his advice on buying property in today's market.
While many have been quick to call a market collapse, this simply isn’t what we’re seeing on the ground. Many pockets of the global property market, including London and the UAE, continue to be compelling locations to invest in real estate.
While an air of uncertainty remains, the outlook is far better than anyone could have predicted. However, it is still important to consider the wider threat posed by Covid-19 when buying bricks and mortar.
Anything with outside space, gardens and private entrances is a must and these property features will see your investment keep its value should the pandemic drag on. In contrast, flats and particularly high-rise developments are falling in popularity and investors should avoid them at all costs.
Attractive investment property can be hard to find amid strong demand and heightened buyer activity. When you do find one, be prepared to move hard and fast to secure it. If you have your finances in order, this shouldn’t be an issue.
Lenders continue to lend and rates remain at an all-time low, so utilise this. There is no point in tying up cash when you can keep this liquidity to maximise other opportunities.
Keep your head and, as always when investing, take the long-term view. External factors such as coronavirus or Brexit will present challenges in the short-term, but the long-term outlook remains strong.
Finally, keep an eye on your currency. Whenever currency fluctuations favour foreign buyers, you can bet that demand will increase, as they act to secure what is essentially a discounted property.
Squads
Pakistan: Sarfaraz Ahmed (c), Babar Azam (vc), Abid Ali, Asif Ali, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Sohail, Mohammad Hasnain, Iftikhar Ahmed, Imad Wasim, Mohammad Amir, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Rizwan, Shadab Khan, Usman Shinwari, Wahab Riaz
Sri Lanka: Lahiru Thirimanne (c), Danushka Gunathilaka, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Avishka Fernando, Oshada Fernando, Shehan Jayasuriya, Dasun Shanaka, Minod Bhanuka, Angelo Perera, Wanindu Hasaranga, Lakshan Sandakan, Nuwan Pradeep, Isuru Udana, Kasun Rajitha, Lahiru Kumara
Petrarch: Everywhere a Wanderer
Christopher Celenza,
Reaktion Books
MATCH INFO
BRIGHTON 0
MANCHESTER UNITED 3
McTominay 44'
Mata 73'
Pogba 80'
SPECS
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EEngine%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%202-litre%204-cylinder%20turbo%20and%203.6-litre%20V6%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETransmission%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESeven-speed%20automatic%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPower%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20235hp%20and%20310hp%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETorque%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E258Nm%20and%20271Nm%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20From%20Dh185%2C100%0D%3Cbr%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
More on Quran memorisation:
Greatest Royal Rumble results
John Cena pinned Triple H in a singles match
Cedric Alexander retained the WWE Cruiserweight title against Kalisto
Matt Hardy and Bray Wyatt win the Raw Tag Team titles against Cesaro and Sheamus
Jeff Hardy retained the United States title against Jinder Mahal
Bludgeon Brothers retain the SmackDown Tag Team titles against the Usos
Seth Rollins retains the Intercontinental title against The Miz, Finn Balor and Samoa Joe
AJ Styles remains WWE World Heavyweight champion after he and Shinsuke Nakamura are both counted out
The Undertaker beats Rusev in a casket match
Brock Lesnar retains the WWE Universal title against Roman Reigns in a steel cage match
Braun Strowman won the 50-man Royal Rumble by eliminating Big Cass last
Specs
Engine: 51.5kW electric motor
Range: 400km
Power: 134bhp
Torque: 175Nm
Price: From Dh98,800
Available: Now
The%20National%20selections
%3Cp%3E6pm%3A%20Barakka%3Cbr%3E6.35pm%3A%20Dhahabi%3Cbr%3E7.10pm%3A%20Mouheeb%3Cbr%3E7.45pm%3A%20With%20The%20Moonlight%3Cbr%3E8.20pm%3A%20Remorse%3Cbr%3E8.55pm%3A%20Ottoman%20Fleet%3Cbr%3E9.30pm%3A%20Tranquil%20Night%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Sheikh Zayed's poem
When it is unveiled at Abu Dhabi Art, the Standing Tall exhibition will appear as an interplay of poetry and art. The 100 scarves are 100 fragments surrounding five, figurative, female sculptures, and both sculptures and scarves are hand-embroidered by a group of refugee women artisans, who used the Palestinian cross-stitch embroidery art of tatreez. Fragments of Sheikh Zayed’s poem Your Love is Ruling My Heart, written in Arabic as a love poem to his nation, are embroidered onto both the sculptures and the scarves. Here is the English translation.
Your love is ruling over my heart
Your love is ruling over my heart, even a mountain can’t bear all of it
Woe for my heart of such a love, if it befell it and made it its home
You came on me like a gleaming sun, you are the cure for my soul of its sickness
Be lenient on me, oh tender one, and have mercy on who because of you is in ruins
You are like the Ajeed Al-reem [leader of the gazelle herd] for my country, the source of all of its knowledge
You waddle even when you stand still, with feet white like the blooming of the dates of the palm
Oh, who wishes to deprive me of sleep, the night has ended and I still have not seen you
You are the cure for my sickness and my support, you dried my throat up let me go and damp it
Help me, oh children of mine, for in his love my life will pass me by.
Our family matters legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
SPEC%20SHEET%3A%20NOTHING%20PHONE%20(2A)
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More on Yemen's civil war
THE BIO
Born: Mukalla, Yemen, 1979
Education: UAE University, Al Ain
Family: Married with two daughters: Asayel, 7, and Sara, 6
Favourite piece of music: Horse Dance by Naseer Shamma
Favourite book: Science and geology
Favourite place to travel to: Washington DC
Best advice you’ve ever been given: If you have a dream, you have to believe it, then you will see it.
Scoreline:
Everton 4
Richarlison 13'), Sigurdsson 28', Digne 56', Walcott 64'
Manchester United 0
Man of the match: Gylfi Sigurdsson (Everton)
THE BIO
Favourite place to go to in the UAE: The desert sand dunes, just after some rain
Who inspires you: Anybody with new and smart ideas, challenging questions, an open mind and a positive attitude
Where would you like to retire: Most probably in my home country, Hungary, but with frequent returns to the UAE
Favorite book: A book by Transilvanian author, Albert Wass, entitled ‘Sword and Reap’ (Kard es Kasza) - not really known internationally
Favourite subjects in school: Mathematics and science
More from Neighbourhood Watch:
'I Want You Back'
Director:Jason Orley
Stars:Jenny Slate, Charlie Day
Rating:4/5
SPEC%20SHEET%3A%20NOTHING%20PHONE%20(2a)
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Springsteen: Deliver Me from Nowhere
Director: Scott Cooper
Starring: Jeremy Allen White, Odessa Young, Jeremy Strong
Rating: 4/5
Imperial%20Island%3A%20A%20History%20of%20Empire%20in%20Modern%20Britain
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Crops that could be introduced to the UAE
1: Quinoa
2. Bathua
3. Amaranth
4. Pearl and finger millet
5. Sorghum
'The Lost Daughter'
Director: Maggie Gyllenhaal
Starring: Olivia Colman, Jessie Buckley, Dakota Johnson
Rating: 4/5
The nine articles of the 50-Year Charter
1. Dubai silk road
2. A geo-economic map for Dubai
3. First virtual commercial city
4. A central education file for every citizen
5. A doctor to every citizen
6. Free economic and creative zones in universities
7. Self-sufficiency in Dubai homes
8. Co-operative companies in various sectors
9: Annual growth in philanthropy
Match info
Uefa Champions League Group C
Liverpool v Napoli, midnight
RESULT
Huddersfield Town 1 Manchester City 2
Huddersfield: Otamendi (45' 1 og), van La Parra (red card 90' 6)
Man City: Agüero (47' pen), Sterling (84')
Man of the match: Christopher Schindler (Huddersfield Town)
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
UFC Fight Night 2
1am – Early prelims
2am – Prelims
4am-7am – Main card
7:30am-9am – press cons
Tottenham's 10 biggest transfers (according to transfermarkt.com):
1). Moussa Sissokho - Newcastle United - £30 million (Dh143m): Flop
2). Roberto Soldado - Valencia - £25m: Flop
3). Erik Lamela - Roma - £25m: Jury still out
4). Son Heung-min - Bayer Leverkusen - £25m: Success
5). Darren Bent - Charlton Athletic - £21m: Flop
6). Vincent Janssen - AZ Alkmaar - £18m: Flop
7). David Bentley - Blackburn Rovers - £18m: Flop
8). Luka Modric - Dynamo Zagreb - £17m: Success
9). Paulinho - Corinthians - £16m: Flop
10). Mousa Dembele - Fulham - £16m: Success
WORLD RECORD FEES FOR GOALKEEPERS
1) Kepa Arrizabalaga, Athletic Bilbao to Chelsea (£72m)
2) Alisson, Roma to Liverpool (£67m)
3) Ederson, Benfica to Manchester City (£35m)
4) Gianluigi Buffon, Parma to Juventus (£33m)
5) Angelo Peruzzi, Inter Milan to Lazio (£15.7m
