Samsung unveils wider foldable phone, hikes prices as chip costs rise
Samsung has unveiled three new foldable smartphones, including a passport-sized model, while increasing prices for its premium devices due to rising memory chip costs. The company faces increasing pressure to maintain its market lead against anticipated foldable competition from Apple.
Why it matters
Rising component costs and increased competition in the foldable segment are forcing Samsung to adjust its pricing strategy and product innovation cycles.
FILE PHOTO: A Samsung Electronics logo appears in this illustration taken August 25, 2025. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/File Photo
SEOUL, July 22 : Samsung Electronics on Wednesday unveiled a passport-sized foldable phone and raised prices of two updated foldable models, as it grapples with rising memory chip prices while bracing for a new threat from Apple in the niche but growing segment.
The South Korean technology company pioneered foldable smartphones but its dominance is set to be challenged by Apple which analysts expect this year to launch a foldable phone with a screen similar in size to an iPad mini.
"Strategically, this is one of Samsung's most important foldable launches," said Francisco Jeronimo, vice president at researcher IDC. "Samsung has to defend the category it created, and that's why it cannot play it safe."
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