A report from the Yonhap News Agency in South Korea today has suggested a name, release date, and price for the foldable device Samsung teased last week at its developer conference. Set to be known as the Galaxy F, the foldable is expected to be properly unveiled in March of next year, a little later than the launch of Samsung’s next flagship Galaxy S phone. Unlike the mass-market Galaxy S, the alleged Galaxy F will be an exclusive device that may command a price as high as $1,770. Yonhap’s information suggests Samsung hasn’t settled on the final price yet, though we already know from Samsung chief DJ Koh that the company plans to ship a million foldable devices in 2019.
Citing industry sources, Yonhap News claims Samsung intends to add 5G support to its Galaxy S10, which it will launch in February, most likely at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona at the end of that month. The much more niche Galaxy F will then follow in March, though without any 5G support of its own, according to the report.
Comments
@Vlad Savov: you have a small typo, the name of the Samsung chief is DJ, not JD.
Samsung must be nuts to price it at 1770 USD. I do understand it is a very, very new product, but it will only be bought by tech guys and reviewers.
By tmihai20 on 11.12.18 2:58am
Thank you, now rectified.
By vladsavov on 11.12.18 3:16am
"but it will only be bought by tech guys and reviewers."
I think that’s the idea. Samsung probably don’t have the manufacturing capacity to make unlimited quantities of the flexible panels and other components required by the Galaxy F. They know demand within a small segment will be high, and this segment is not price sensitive…
By the_verge_censor_things on 11.12.18 3:32am
Yup, absolutely this. I suspect this first iteration is going to be a nightmare of manufacturing. They are going to have highly limited supply and won’t be able to sell to more than enthusiasts. That is typically how new tech like this goes.
By jonomacd on 11.12.18 10:00am
Exactly. People are complaining about nothing. Look at the advent of flat panel TV sets. The earliest plasma models were over $20k USD. This is the price of new technology before it can be refined and made more affordable.
By goblueatlanta on 11.12.18 10:27am
I think you’re severely underestimating how many people are willing to purchase phones at premium prices. The iPhone XS Max at 512 GB costs 1450 USD. In large parts of Asia, there is a huge upper class market and phones are pretty much equivalent to your social status. The western world has plenty of wealthy people and businessmen who’d love a product like this. Not to mention 12-36 month payment plans on these things..
I might be wrong, but I have a feeling that this phone will be sold out in no time with shortages to follow for quite some time.
By eebra82 on 11.12.18 4:08am
I can add that that Xs Max 512 gb costs $1750 in my sunny Denmark…
By Mha71 on 11.12.18 4:29am
Same for Australia!
$2369 AUD!
By K-C-B on 11.12.18 8:57pm
About $1700USD accounting for GST and currency.
By SkeleCrafter on 11.12.18 11:58pm
My calculations were wrong but I can’t delete this post so rip. It’s actually about $100USD more expensive when considering GST (therefore $1550USD).
By SkeleCrafter on 11.13.18 12:01am
You have a point but a big difference is that this is first gen technology. The XS Max is the result of a product refined over ten years.
Either way I will never buy this but I’m excited at the technology and to get one in my hands and try the folding.
By VisionaryShaolin on 11.12.18 8:08am
Most people who purchase willingly $1500 phones are wealthy business directors. What they care about are not about RAM, CPU, or flexible display. In other hands, they need something good design and catch up the new fashion trend, iPhone and Note. They are not stupid enough to be a RAT LAB for new tech because they are busy to do something else. Maybe Samsung can give them free one to promote their phone.
By imVNC on 11.12.18 8:22am
I dunno. There are plenty of gadget freaks out there who will buy anything sufficiently hyped at the latest and greatest — people who are on their seventh Kindle, people who average more than one flagship phone per year, etc. They can’t bear to be without.
You don’t necessarily have to be rich to afford these devices, you just need to have some disposable income and be a little deficient in impulse control…
By EnglishMike on 11.12.18 3:25pm
I think the whole intention of the price is to limit the market to tech enthusiasts. The technology is in its infancy and the more tech savy will probably give it more of a pass on flaws because of this than a general consumer market. Think of it more like a beta test, the enthusiasts will also be better at feedback than general consumers.
I can see them giving thousands away to developers to make their apps work well on them too.
By Pete2 on 11.12.18 4:31am
Lol this is not a mainstream device.
The s10 is the mainstream one.
The galaxy f is a first gen product that will come with such compromises.
The plus is that you get access to new technology that will cost much so that only the really tech interested will buy it.
By Jonozman on 11.12.18 5:05am
Well duh, they are achieving product innovation not process innovation.
By zachchen1996 on 11.12.18 10:37am
This one surly will make one stand out
By Mr.Mulderfox on 11.12.18 3:06am
"Expensive as F"
By DJ CERLA on 11.12.18 3:26am
Press F to pay respects to your wallet.
By The Drifter on 11.12.18 4:02am
Then it plays Sad Trombone.
By SasparillaFizz on 11.20.18 2:21pm
Reminds me of the iPhone Excess.
By BausFight on 11.12.18 10:01am
Excess to the Max!
By Arturius on 11.12.18 12:22pm
The first few generations of foldables are probably going to be quite unsightly and painful to use. On the other hand, this is going to be incredible when the tech becomes seamless.
By Oxenbridge on 11.12.18 3:29am
"seamless" lol I like what you did there
By DJCR33P on 11.12.18 6:40am
Thanks
By Oxenbridge on 11.12.18 7:53am