Even as Samsung may not be rushing to launch mid-range foldable phones, the company could benefit from a price cut for its existing models, particularly for the Galaxy Z Fold series that starts at $1,799.
If a new report is to be believed, Samsung is making some changes to how one crucial component is manufactured and that could create enough space for the company to reduce the price of its foldable phones.
Samsung Display could make cheaper foldable OLED panels
A report out of South Korea claims that Samsung Display will use a different method of producing the OLED panels for this year's foldable phones. It's reportedly going to use inkjet printing to make the bezels of the new panels as opposed to the micro dry decoration process used until last year. Samsung Display has been using the inkjet process to make iPhone displays.
The initial film made using inkjet printing is much larger, allowing for more films that become bezels to be cut from that initial film. This will provide cost reductions for Samsung Display, possibly enabling Samsung to pass on those savings through price cuts for its foldables.
The report mentions that Samsung has consistently been asking Samsung Display to reduce the cost of the OLED panels for its foldable phones. They're arguably one of the more expensive components on a foldable phone. Any cost savings on the display could give Samsung enough room to reduce the price.
It remains to be seen whether or not Samsung actually does that. Perhaps the company might decide to increase its margins on the devices by not passing on the cost savings. One thing's for sure, though, a lot of people would be happy if the more expensive Galaxy Z Fold models start to become a bit more attainable.
