(Pocket-lint) - Samsung revealed its first foldable smartphone in the Galaxy Fold in the first half of 2019. Since then, it has released a 'fixed' version of the device, followed by the Galaxy Z Flip that folds horizontally rather than vertically, and more recently, a second generation of the Fold in the Z Fold 2.
The company isn't likely to stop there though given at the end of Galaxy Unpacked 2020 in August, it said foldables and 5G were the pilars of Samsung's smartphone business going forward.
With rumours of a cheaper Galaxy Z Fold device in the works, here is everything we have heard so far about what we expect to be called the Galaxy Z Fold Lite.
What might a cheaper Galaxy Z Fold be called?
- Galaxy Z Fold e
- Galaxy Z Fold Lite
When Samsung launched the Galaxy S10 series, it introduced a cheaper model called the Samsung Galaxy S10e, offering the same processor but cutting back on some design aspects, like featuring a flat display instead of curved.
Following the S10e, Samsung announced the S10 Lite, which was a taster of the design elements we then saw on the Galaxy S20 range. While there is no 'e' model or 'Lite' model for the S20 range, yet, there is a Note 10 Lite.
We'd expect a cheaper model of the Galaxy Z Fold to either be called the Galaxy Z Fold e or the Galaxy Z Fold Lite, though we'd put our money on the latter given the last few 'cheaper' flagship smartphone models to launch carried the Lite branding. It might also be called Galaxy Z Fold 2 e or Galaxy Z Fold 2 Lite. There's nothing concrete in rumours for now however so it currently remains a guessing game.
Release date and price
- 2021
- Around $1000
There was originally some talk that the Galaxy Z Fold Lite would be revealed alongside the Galaxy Z Fold 2 and Note 20 at the 5 August Galaxy Unpacked event but it was then reported prior to the event that Samsung had postponed the cheaper folding device to 2021.
At the moment, there is no talk on when in 2021 a cheaper model of the Galaxy Fold might appear but as rumours have already started circulating about it, around the time of the Galaxy S21 or Galaxy S30 launch might not be too unreasonable a suggestion. If this is the case, we can expect something around the beginning of March - which would be two years since the original Galaxy Fold was first revealed.
In terms of price, $900 and $1100 have both been rumoured. As the Galaxy Fold launched for just under $2000, this would make the Fold Lite quite tempting for many interested in foldables but not wanting to pay the high price tags associated with them.
Design
- Glass and aluminium
- No external display, or smaller external display
- Vertical folding mechanism
There have been some suggestions that a cheaper Galaxy Fold would sacrifice the external display in order to reduce costs. The hinge would likely be the same as the Galaxy Z Fold 2 as that, and the flexible display, aren't really areas where corners could be cut, but that does mean compromises would have to be made elsewhere to shave $1000 off the price tag of the original.
Given the rumours talk about the Galaxy Fold Lite, we'd expect a vertical fold rather than horizontal fold like the Galaxy Z Flip. We'd also expect a solid build quality - likely a combination of glass and aluminium - and it woudn't be too surprising to see a punch hole camera - maybe just one inside if there is no external display though.
A Samsung patent discovered by LetsGoDigital sees a foldable device with a slim notification panel stretching the height of the device on the front. This could suggest that the Fold Lite might have a small display on the front just for notifications so you don't have to open the device up to see what is going on. The same patent suggests waterproofing, but we doubt that would come to a Lite model.
Display
- Around 7.5-inch internal display
- UTG or plastic
- AMOLED panel likely
The Galaxy Z Fold 2 has a 7.6-inch internal display that features UTG like the Galaxy Z Flip, while the original Galaxy Fold has a 7.2-inch display with a plastic covering.
It's not currently clear if the Galaxy Z Fold Lite would offer the same internal display as the Fold or Z Fold 2, though given the Fold's issues, we'd hope Samsung opts for the UTG option.
Externally, the Galaxy Fold has a 4.6-inch display, while the Galaxy Z Fold 2 has a 6.3-inch display. It could be that the Galaxy Fold Lite offers no external display at all, or perhaps it will offer the notification panel like the patent suggests.
Hardware and specs
- Perhaps Qualcomm SD765
- 5G?
It is the hardware that we think is likely to take the biggest hit compared to the Galaxy Fold or Galaxy Z Fold 2. As we expect Samsung to deliver a Fold Lite with the same hinge mechanism as the Galaxy Z Fold 2 - or certainly very similar - we suspect it will be the processor, RAM, storage and battery elements that may take the cut in order to keep costs down.
Of course, this is all speculation for now, but it wouldn't be too surprising to see the Qualcomm Snapdragon 765 chipset on board instead of the flagship Snapdragon 865 for example, and we don't expect 12GB of RAM like the original Fold either. If the SD765 is used though, the Fold Lite would be 5G as his processor has 5G integrated.
Contrary to what we think though, Max Weinbach tweeted suggesting the Z Fold Lite would have the Qualcomm Snapdragon 865 but with no 5G support. He did say things could change though.
Cameras
- Triple rear suggested by patent
- Dual selfie
Another area that may take a small hit is the camera department. The patent spotted by LetsGoDigital suggests a triple rear camera with a square third lens, suggesting a periscope zoom lens. There's also two selfie cameras on the front in the patent. There is nothing to suggest the patent is for the Galaxy Z Fold Lite however.
In terms of cameras, it wouldn't be too surprising to see the Galaxy Note 20 system on board. We suspect the Note 20 Ultra's make up would increase costs too much, but you never know. When more rumours appear surrouding the Galaxy Fold Lite's camera composition, we will be sure to include it here.
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold Lite rumours: What's happened so far?
Here are all the rumours surrounding the Galaxy Z Fold Lite we have heard so far.
28 June 2020: Galaxy Z Fold Lite expected im 2021, for under $900
Sammobile said that a report out of South Korea has suggested the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold Lite was due to be announced on 5 August alongside the Galaxy Z Fold 2, but it has been delayed until 2021 and it will cost 1 million won - which would be under $900 or £700.
25 May 2020: Patent appears for waterproof folding device with smaller display
LetsGoDigital published some renders based on a Samsung patent that shows a folding device with a small notification panel on the front.
12 May 2020: Galaxy Fold Lite could run on Snapdragon 865 but not offer 5G
Max Weinbach followed up a tweet saying the Galaxy Fold Lite would be built from aluminium and glass, feature the Qualcomm Snapdragon 865 processor but not offer 5G.
-Available internationally
-No 5G support
-Snapdragon 865
-Built out of Aluminium and Glass on outside
-$1099
-Winner2This could change as this info tends to change quickly, especially when it's the first you're hearing about a device.
— Max Weinbach (@MaxWinebach) May 12, 2020
11 May 2020: Several new Galaxy Folds likely in the works, including cheaper E/Lite model
Leaker Max Weinbach said Samsung was rumoured to announce a Galaxy fold e, which would cost $1100. He also said the company was working on three foldables, two with plastic displays and one with ultra-thin glass.
Writing by Britta O'Boyle.
The Link LonkAugust 11, 2020 at 11:41PM
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Samsung Galaxy Fold Lite: Release date, rumours, specs and price - Pocket-lint
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