Phones
Samsung finals Galaxy Z Fold 5 and Flip 5 launch, here’s when it could happen
Samsung has reportedly finalized the Galaxy Z Fold and Flip 5 launch date, which is at the end of July, two weeks earlier than usual. It is analyzed as a strategy to maximize the new product launch effect by advancing the Galaxy sales timing ahead of the release of Apple’s iPhone 15 in September.
According to the report, Samsung MX Division tentatively decided the launch date of the Galaxy Z Fold and Flip 5 in the fourth week of July. Considering that the Galaxy Z4 series was released on August 10, 2022, and the Galaxy Z3 series was released on August 11, 2021, it is about two weeks ahead.
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It usually takes about 15 days from the device’s release to sales start, consumers are expected to be able to purchase the Galaxy Z Fold 5 and Galaxy Z Flip 5 foldable phone in mid-August 2023. The company is considering this Unpacked in South Korea with Seoul and Busan mentioned as venues.
The performance and design of the folding part, which was considered a weakness, are also expected to be greatly improved. Samsung is expected to introduce a waterdrop hinge instead of the existing U-shaped hinge to minimize crease in the folded part and reduce the space created when folded.
Early release to benefit
The purpose of the early launch is to check competitors that are releasing foldable phones such as Google. In the tech industry, it is estimated that Samsung, which had a strong operating loss in the second quarter of this year, put a “super strong” to raise its performance in the third quarter.
It is reported that the reason for advancing the release date is to raise the performance of the third quarter of this year. In the financial investment industry, there is a prospect that Samsung will record an operating loss in the second quarter of this year in the aftermath of the recession in the semiconductor market.
Ross Young, CEO of DSCC, a market research firm, wrote on Twitter recently, “The July production of Flip 5 is expected to increase significantly compared to the Flip 4,” and “meaning that an early release is likely.” He also evaluated, “Distance from the iPhone 15 release date can be a good strategy.”
SIM tray and charging boards of Samsung Galaxy S25 series have been leaked. While the phones are yet to go on sale, official spare parts have been listed online. The parts discovered by Roland Quandt reveal color options for the S25.
Samsung Galaxy S25 and S25 Plus could be available in Black, Green, Purple, Blue and White colors. The SIM tray spare reveals the official color options for both non-Ultra Samsung flagships coming early next year.
Notably, the SIM trays are for only Samsung’s Galaxy S25 and S25 Plus. The Ultra variant’s colorways may be different from these models. We could see a similar revelation for the Galaxy S25 Ultra too, in the next few days.
Samsung Galaxy S25 SIM Trays | Image: RolandQuandt / BlueSky
The source also spotted charging components for the S25 models. Unlike the SIM tray, charging assemblies surfaced for the S25 Ultra too. The phones will feature a USB Type-C charging port – as confirmed through the charging board leak.
Internal components have started to appear, but, the official launch could only happen in 2025. It is expected that the Unpacked event could be held in late January next year, with shipments starting in early February.
Samsung Galaxy S25 Series Charging Boards | Image: RolandQuandt / BlueSky
Galaxy S25 Ultra Specs
Samsung will equip the Galaxy S25 Ultra with Snapdragon 8 Elite. The flagship will have 12GB of RAM and up to 1TB of storage (paired with 16GB RAM). This powerful configuration will deliver never-before-seen performance.
The device could also get a 50-megapixel ultrawide sensor. The remaining four cameras (including the selfie snapper) will remain the same as the S24 Ultra. The entire lineup is slated to come with a price increment of $100.
Samsung is preparing to introduce the Galaxy S25 series early next year. The Galaxy S26 series could be launched in early 2026, and Samsung may be unable to freeze the Ultra model’s price due to the next Qualcomm chip.
According to Jukanlosreve, Qualcomm may increase the price of the Snapdragon 8 Elite successor. The company recently launched the new Snapdragon chip fabricated using a 3 nm process which is expected to power the Galaxy S25 Ultra.
The leaker suggests that the next-gen Snapdragon 8 Elite may get a significant price increase. This would force Samsung to increase the price of the Galaxy S26 Ultra.
Qualcomm has also raised the Snapdragon 8 Elite price, significantly, compared to the 8 Gen 3. However, the price increment offers exceptional outcomes – robust performance and efficiency.
Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra is rumored to be priced $100 higher than the S24 Ultra. If the rumor materializes, the S25 Ultra may start at $1399 – a full $200 costlier than the iPhone 16 Pro Max.
Why Snapdragon 8 Elite 2 may be pricier?
Qualcomm invests a massive fund in research and development. This year marks the debut of its in-house Oryon CPU cores. The fabrication process also impacts the overall pricing, as the shift to 3nm already boosted the price significantly.
Snapdragon 8 Elite 2 may be produced using the 3nm process, but “various internal and external factors” may lead to a significant price hike. It is said that Qualcomm has sent notifications to suppliers and negotiations have begun.
Given Qualcomm’s price hike, suppliers of related components may also desire to make increased profits. Either supplier would also raise the prices of components or Qualcomm’s negotiations may freeze the costs of components – at best.
At present, we are awaiting the Galaxy S25 Ultra launch which could happen in late January next year. We are over a year away from the tentative unveiling of the Galaxy S26 Ultra, hence, it’s advised to take this info as a pinch of salt.
Samsung Galaxy Slim is under development with model number SM-S937. Following the US variant’s existence, the recent revelation suggests that Samsung will launch the Galaxy S25 Slim globally.
A yet-to-launch Samsung phone with model number SM-S937B was spotted, indicating a global variant of the Galaxy S25 Slim. The company may bring this sleek model of the Galaxy S25 lineup to the market next year.
Galaxy S25 Slim may be marketed as Galaxy S25 Special Edition. The model number suggests that the device will be better or equivalent to the Galaxy S25 Plus. It could lag behind the S25 Ultra in aspects such as the periscope camera and S Pen.
A recent rumor claimed that Samsung is working to equip the Galaxy S25 Slim with a powerful camera setup. The phone will not only be slim but also beat the Galaxy S25 and iPhone 17 Air in terms of camera capabilities.
Why is the S25 Slim coming?
It is believed that Apple will launch the iPhone 17 Air, replacing the iPhone 17 Plus, next year. The OEM is all set to enter the sleek smartphone market formally. Similarly, Samsung is preparing to rival Apple with its Slim model of the S25 series.
Notably, the Galaxy S25 lineup will have three models; Galaxy S25, Galaxy S25 Plus, and Galaxy S25 Ultra. The Slim or SE, whatever it would be called, will join as the fifth model, as there’s an FE variant also rumored to be coming.
Meanwhile, the Galaxy S25 Slim would launch before the Galaxy S25 FE. Despite having a slim design, the smartphone could get a 200-megapixel camera, large display, flagship processor, and decent battery for longer usage.