Samsung’s AI-enhanced foldable phones are becoming sleeker, slimmer, and more expensive

Samsung’s latest foldable phones, unveiled at its annual Unpacked event held for the first time in Paris, are designed to attract traditional phone users with the integration of artificial intelligence. The Galaxy Z Fold 6, resembling a smartphone that unfolds into a tablet, and the Galaxy Z Flip 6, reminiscent of classic flip phones, have been upgraded to be lighter, slimmer, and enhanced with AI capabilities. These advancements include a more robust hinge, improved battery life, and Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor optimized for AI tasks.

However, these upgrades come with a higher price tag. The Galaxy Z Fold 6 now starts at $1,899.99, up $100 from last year, and is available in silver, pink, and navy. The Galaxy Z Flip 6 starts at $1,099.99, also $100 more than last year, and comes in silver, yellow, blue, and mint. Despite the innovations, convincing consumers to adopt foldable smartphones remains a challenge, with ABI Research estimating that foldable shipments reached 20 million units in 2023 and projecting a slight increase to around 28 million units in 2024, still a small fraction of total shipments.

Samsung’s strategic focus includes expanding foldable displays beyond phones into tablets, laptops, and smartwatches in the future. The company’s president, TM Roh, attributes the current pricing to component costs but suggests potential future reductions as technology evolves.

Central to Samsung’s strategy is its Galaxy AI software, integrated into the new devices to enhance productivity and user experience. Features such as updated Note Assist for voice recording transcriptions and live translations during calls, as well as AI-powered text suggestions from Composer in Samsung Keyboard, aim to cater to varied consumer needs.

Beyond foldables, Samsung also introduced its smart Ring, featuring health monitoring capabilities like temperature tracking and sleep monitoring, priced at $399.99. This device, available in black, silver, and gold, enters a competitive market dominated by products like Oura.

Additionally, the Galaxy Buds 3, starting at $179.99, now include an interpreter mode for real-time translations during lectures or meetings, alongside new touch controls for music playback.

In summary, Samsung’s latest Unpacked event showcases its commitment to integrating AI across its product line, aiming to lead in the foldable smartphone market while expanding into new wearable and audio segments with innovative features.