Samsung introduced its latest foldable smartphones, the Galaxy Z Fold6 and Galaxy Z Flip6, at the Galaxy Unpacked event in Paris on Wednesday. With these launches, the South Korean tech giant aims to recapture market share in the foldable segment, which it pioneered, by enticing users to upgrade their devices with enhanced artificial intelligence (AI) features.
The Galaxy Z Fold6, starting at $1,899.99, features a 7.6-inch display that unfolds like a book and a triple-lens camera setup. Samsung touts this model as its thinnest foldable yet, measuring just 12.1 millimeters thick when closed. Meanwhile, the Galaxy Z Flip6, priced at $1,099.99, resembles a traditional flip phone but with a flexible screen. Both devices will be available starting July 24.
Samsung is betting on AI to differentiate its latest foldables. Some of the standout AI features include:
- Interpreter Mode: Exclusive to the Z Fold6, this feature allows users to fold the phone halfway, using both the back and inside screens to translate conversations in real-time for two people speaking different languages.
- Live Translate: Initially launched with the S24 series, this feature now extends to third-party apps like WhatsApp, enabling real-time translation during phone calls.
- Suggested Replies: The Z Flip6 can suggest replies based on the user’s texting style, streamlining communication without needing to open the device.
Despite its innovations, Samsung faces stiff competition in the foldable smartphone market. Analysts like Paolo Pescatore of PP Foresight highlight the challenge of persuading consumers to upgrade their devices, especially amid economic constraints. Additionally, rivals such as Apple are intensifying the competition with their own AI offerings, including the recently launched Apple Intelligence suite.
Pescatore notes that while foldable devices are not yet essential for most consumers, the competitive landscape is heating up as more companies enter the fray. Samsung's commitment to the foldable segment is clear, but it remains to be seen if these advancements will be enough to sway consumers to invest in premium, high-end devices.
As Samsung continues to innovate, the tech world eagerly anticipates how these new foldables will perform in the market and whether they will attract a significant number of users to upgrade.