Samsung May Launch Galaxy Z Fold 5 and Galaxy Z Flip 5 in July Instead of August
Samsung may be planning to launch the Galaxy Z Fold 5 and Galaxy Z Flip 5 foldable smartphones sooner than expected. According to a report by South Korean publication The Elec, the South Korean tech giant may hold a Galaxy Unpacked event in mid-July instead of August. The foldable phone maker may have decided to accelerate the launch to boost its Q3 earnings after a “quiet off-season” in Q2. Samsung currently faces stiff competition from other foldable phone manufacturers like Oppo, Motorola, and Google, which is preparing to launch its first foldable phone.
Ordering Components for an Earlier Launch
The Elec’s report cites industry sources as stating that Samsung recently started ordering components to launch the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 and Galaxy Z Flip 5 in July. This is approximately two or three weeks earlier than the company’s current plans for a Galaxy Unpacked event in August. Samsung might have rescheduled the launch to give its Q3 profits a boost after Q1 profits were down by 95% from last year, its worst quarterly profit in 14 years. The company had blamed the drop in earnings on weak spending on consumer electronics and sales affected by chip glut.
Earlier Mass Production of Hinges
Reports suggest that Samsung was supposed to start mass producing hinges for the Galaxy Z Fold 5 and Galaxy Z Flip 5 in early June nearly a month ahead of its usual production schedule. The tipster claims that this will allow the company to offer both foldable smartphones to its customers in July instead of August.
Features and Specifications of the Galaxy Z Fold 5 and Galaxy Z Flip 5
Both foldable smartphones may feature a Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 SoC under the hood, Qualcomm’s flagship chipset, which also powers the Galaxy S23 series of smartphones. However, there is no word on whether Samsung will equip these phones with a customised version of the chipset that powers its Galaxy S-series smartphones. The Galaxy Z Flip 5 may feature a larger 120Hz folding display, a 4,300mAh battery, and may support fast charging at up to 25W. Meanwhile, the Galaxy Z Fold 5 may have a triple-camera setup, similar to the Galaxy S21 series. It may feature a 7.7-inch LTPS display, a 3,640mAh battery, and fast charging at up to 25W. Both foldable smartphones may run on the Android 11 operating system.
Competition in the Foldable Phone Market
Samsung faces stiff competition in the foldable phone market. Oppo may launch a new foldable phone in the second half of 2021, whereas Motorola is reportedly working on a clamshell-style foldable phone. Google may also launch its first foldable smartphone, which according to reports, may feature a 7.6-inch foldable OLED screen manufactured by Samsung.
Conclusion
Samsung may be planning to launch the Galaxy Z Fold 5 and Galaxy Z Flip 5 earlier than expected in mid-July to boost its Q3 profits after a quiet Q2. The company has reportedly begun ordering components that would allow it to launch the foldable smartphones in July instead of August. The Galaxy Z Flip 5 is expected to feature a 120Hz folding display, a 4,300mAh battery, and support fast charging at up to 25W. Meanwhile, the Galaxy Z Fold 5 may have a triple-camera setup and a 7.7-inch LTPS display. Samsung faces stiff competition in the foldable phone market from Oppo, Motorola, and Google, which is preparing to launch its first foldable smartphone.
