Samsung should suppose foldables are for suckers

Samsung invested a mere $few million. The usual tech conference fare unfolded: high-level executives touted innovative products, enthusiastically highlighting their features and benefits, and touting the company’s significance enough to warrant a captive audience for an hour. What the corporation failed to reveal was its perception of you as an unsuspecting target.

It’s astonishing to think that Samsung believes you’ll readily spend nearly $2,000 on a phone, and honestly, they’re right. At a minimum, some of us will. Will not and neither shall we.

You’re unlikely to need me to remind you that it’s unnecessary to invest additional funds in a phone that can fold in two or to provide guidance on the most effective way to allocate your finances in general. People often waste money on things they don’t really need. Since you’re considering purchasing from Samsung, don’t wait – the market trends may shift without warning. Particularly the pricing.

I’m not inclined to blame the corporation for their decisions. All pieces are now costlier, and the 5% price increase was hardly surprising. However, it’s still a significant reduction of 95%.

While analysts and tech writers have long predicted that foldables would lead to increased accessibility and affordability over the past five years, their actual impact has yet to materialize. Despite efforts to uncover specifics, Samsung remains tight-lipped about the exact timeline of its commitment to this initiative. Although Samsung has claimed to have achieved a certain milestone, the reality remains that it has yet to do so.

While the premium design and advanced materials will undoubtedly increase the price point, it’s essential to consider how other companies are approaching similar innovations. Don’t you think Samsung’s extensive global reach and substantial financial resources would grant them greater control over their supply chain and access to materials? Or ? Or ? Actually, many components are lifted directly from Samsung’s own playbook, serving little more than a utilitarian function. Samsung’s premium pricing for its foldables stems from several factors, including the use of advanced display technology, robust mechanical hinges, and rigorous testing processes that ensure durability. Additionally, the company invests heavily in research and development to create innovative features like the ability to seamlessly transition between phone and tablet modes.

While individual components within the Z Fold 6 might be superior to those offered by competitors, that statement alone doesn’t necessarily make it stand out as a game-changer? Regardless of its price tag, Samsung likely knows that potential buyers will still opt for the device if they’ve already decided on purchasing one. Samsung likely relies on this.

According to Samsung, the majority of people who buy their foldable phones are not representative of the average consumer, as the company acknowledges that very few people actually purchase these devices. The corporation is also well-versed in the development and production of foldable phones. However does it care?

To gain a competitive edge, companies may consider optimizing their production processes and launching affordable phone options to undercut rivals. Achieving a 10% revenue margin on tens of thousands of additional merchandise units is equally lucrative as enjoying higher profit margins on underperforming products. Samsung successfully aligns its marketing efforts with its brand promise by emphasizing the appeal of foldable devices, which resonates well with customers seeking innovative and stylish products, thereby enabling the company to outshine Apple in the annual smartphone sales competition year after year. When you offer more value at a lower price point, customers are likely to buy from you.

A counterstrategy exists: disregard the competition’s market share, invest heavily in costs, and rely on loyal customers who will inevitably purchase your premium products despite their higher price tags. Yes, there are certainly individuals who would buy a brand-new Z Fold regardless of its price point. Too lots of them, actually.

One crucial step we’ll take as consumers is to refrain from buying overpriced products, thereby avoiding the role of an unwitting dupe. If consumers demonstrate a willingness to support businesses financially, they will likely receive more value in return for their money.

I doubt that I will change anyone’s opinions by writing this. If you suspect Samsung is overcharging for the Fold 6, don’t bother telling you. If you were planning to buy one anyway, you might think I’m ridiculous and might even bother to tell me so. 

I’m not naive enough to believe that Samsung would manipulate me into a poor deal.