Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold FE might feature the brand new Snapdragon 8s Gen 3

The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold FE is anticipated to be a budget-friendly foldable phone, fulfilling a demand since the original Galaxy Fold’s release in 2019. 

Despite previous denials from Samsung, recent rumours and reports suggest its arrival later this year. They also hint at a cheaper price point, a camera setup similar to the Galaxy Z Fold 5, and compromises in components like the battery and display to cut costs. 

Here’s everything we know so far about the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold FE. 

When will the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold FE be released?

We don’t have any official information on the launch of the budget-friendly Galaxy Z Fold right now. However, recent claims from The Elec and WinFuture indicate that the phone will arrive this year and be called the Galaxy Z Fold FE or Z Fold 6 FE. 

While it might arrive in July or August 2024 at Samsung’s Galaxy Unpacked event, alongside the Galaxy Z Fold 6, it’s more likely to appear some time afterwards, in keeping with Samsung’s typical strategy of introducing FE models months after its respective flagship. 

For example, the Samsung Galaxy S23 debuted in Feb 2023, while the Samsung Galaxy S23 FE arrived in October of that same year.

How much will the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold FE cost? 

According to a Korean site Sisa Journal, the Galaxy Z Fold FE will have a price target below $800 (approx. £642), significantly undercutting the Galaxy Z Fold 5’s $1,799 price tag. 

Other than that, we have no information on the price of the Galaxy Z Fold FE. For context, here’s the starting price of the previous Galaxy Z Fold phones at launch: 

• Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 – £1,748/$1,799 
• Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4 – £1,649/$1,799 
• Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3 – £1,599/$1,799 

What specs and features will the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold FE have?

So far, there have not been many leaks and rumours regarding the Galaxy Z Flip FE. 

Chinese site MyDrivers posted some details about what we might see in the new device, although these have yet to be confirmed, so maybe don’t take them as concrete.

Design

The design of the Z Fold FE is expected to follow the book-like format of the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold series, featuring a smartphone screen on the exterior that unfolds into a larger tablet-sized display. 

However, according to the post from MyDrivers (via GSMArena), it is rumoured to measure 155.1 x 67.1 x 14.2mm when folded, making it slightly bigger than the Z Fold 5. 

Rumours also suggest the inner display may lack support for Samsung’s S Pen stylus due to the absence of a necessary digitizer layer, likely for cost-saving reasons. 

Nevertheless, according to The Elec, Samsung may implement cost-saving measures such as inkjet printing for bezels, reducing production costs and potentially keeping prices low without sacrificing features or using outdated hardware. 

Display

The Galaxy Z Fold FE might retain a 7.6-inches inner AMOLED screen and 6.2-inches 120Hz outer AMOLED display from the Z Fold 5. Although it’s uncertain if the first one will keep the LTPO technology. 

However, as per Sisa Journal, the phone is anticipated to feature lower specs for the application processor, display, and battery, possibly resulting in a lower resolution and refresh rate compared to current models. 

It may be something closer to full HD resolution and a lower refresh rate than the current generation’s 120Hz. 

Performance

Rumours suggest it will feature less impressive specs compared to the Galaxy Z Fold 6, including a less powerful chipset. 

As per GSMArena, the Fold FE will get a mix of Snapdragon and Exynos chipsets depending on the market. 

While the exact chipset remains uncertain, possibilities include older models like the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 or the newly announced Snapdragon 8s Gen 3, designed for mid-range devices. Another speculation involves the use of a Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 chip, potentially enabling affordability. 

Samsung may also leverage its Exynos 2000-series processor in some markets to help offset costs and achieve a lower price point for the foldable device. 

When it comes to RAM options, it will likely feature a 12GB or 16GB paired with 256GB or 512GB of internal storage. 

Cameras

The report from Sisa Journal suggests the Galaxy Z Fold 6 FE may feature a camera setup similar to the current generation, possibly featuring a dual-camera module without a third telephoto lens. 

It’s unclear whether the camera hardware will resemble that of the Z Fold 5 with a 50Mp main lens or the Z Flip 5 with a 12Mp main lens, but both phones share a 12Mp ultrawide lens. 

Battery & Charging

Details about the battery and charging capabilities of the Galaxy Z Fold FE remain vague, with only Sisa Journal’s claim indicating lower battery specifications compared to other Samsung foldables. 

Historically, Galaxy foldables have featured relatively modest battery capacities, resulting in average battery life. However, it’s uncertain how large the battery of the Z Fold FE will be or its endurance on a single charge. 

Similarly, rapid charging may not be a highlight, as predecessors like the Z Fold 5 and Z Flip 5 are limited to 25W wired and 15W wireless charging speeds, respectively. 

Software

The Galaxy Z Fold FE will likely operate on Samsung’s One UI 6.1 based on Android 14. 

However, it is also probable that Android 15 might be accessible upon launch. If not, users can expect a software update to introduce it sometime later. 

That’s all we know about the Galaxy Z Fold FE so far. Be sure to check out what to expect from the Galaxy Z Fold 6, as well as from the Galaxy Z Flip FE, the expected cheaper version of the upcoming Z Flip 6. 

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