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Pre-orders in South Korea show heavier demand for Samsung’s foldable phones
Samsung compares the Galaxy Z Fold 3 with last year’s Galaxy Note 20
Pre-order your Fold 3, Flip 3 now!
The price of the two phones remains prohibitive for many consumers. In Korea, the 256GB version of the Fold 3 is priced at KRW 1,987,000 (U.S. price is $1,799.99) and costs KRW 2,097,700 for the 512GB variant (priced at $1,899.99 in the states). The Flip 3 carries a price of KRW 1,650,000 ($999.99 in the states). Eventually, as component prices start to drop, retail prices will come down too allowing the foldable sector to become mainstream.
Prices start to drop but there is a long way to go before foldable phones become mainstream
Prior to the Unpacked event earlier this month, Samsung Electronics America vice president of mobile product management, Drew Blackard, addressed the pricing of the new phones and the goal of making its foldables mainstream. The executive said, “We really do think we’re finally at that price point … with the foldable Z series that we can take these mainstream…we wanted to make sure that there’s no compromising…including durability.”
Despite the lower prices, Samsung did make the two phones sturdier and added IPX8 water-resistance to the pair. Both phones can now be submerged in water to a depth of 1.5 meters (4.92 feet) for up to 30 minutes and emerge unscathed. The Fold 3 sports an aluminum frame that is 10% stronger and the device now supports the S Pen.
As for the Galaxy Flip 3, the phone’s display is protected by Corning’s most protective version of Gorilla Glass. Gorilla Glass Victus is 50% stronger than the Gorilla Glass 6 used on the Galaxy Z Flip. And the hinge is now made using Armor Aluminum which is the strongest aluminum used by Samsung on a handset to date. And we shouldn’t forget that the Flip 3 delivers stereo sound which is something that the original Flip did not.
One change that Samsung didn’t make to the Flip 3 that users are going to wish was made is a increase in battery capacity. Both the original model and the new unit are powered by a 3300mAh battery.
