The Most Expensive Smartphone
The Samsung Galaxy Fold will hit the Korean market on Sept. 6 with a price tag of 2,398,000 won (US$1,972). It is the most expensive premium phone ever released -- over 1 million won (US$822) more expensive than its flagship Galaxy Note 10 series which retails at 1,248,500 won (US$1,027).
The Galaxy Fold features a 4.6-inch screen when folded in and a 7.3-inch screen when unfolded. If it is released on Sept. 6 as planned, it will be the first foldable smartphone commercialized.
The Galaxy Fold is expected to be available at Samsung Digital Plaza at the early stage of the launch. Mobile carriers will also sell the Galaxy Fold, but each of the three carriers will have only 300 to 400 units. Therefore, only early adopters will be able to have the phone initially even if it hits the domestic market. As initial shipment is limited, all distribution channels are seeking to secure the foldable phone.
Samsung Electronics was previously planning on a mid-September launch, but for some reason, decided to bring it forward by two weeks. Accordingly, the company will unveil the Galaxy Fold at the IFA 2019 consumer electronics showcase in Germany and start selling it in South Korea on Sept. 6 at the same time.
Market experts believe that Samsung Electronics has decided to promptly launch the foldable smartphone in order not to lose competition with China’s Huawei. Huawei is preparing for the release of the Mate X, which is, unlike the Galaxy Fold, an outfolding phone. The firm will not display the Mate X at IFA 2019 but is planning to unveil its own application processor “Kirin 990” chipset to be used in the Mate X.