Samsung Targets Chinese Market with Exclusive Foldable Phones

Samsung Electronics has launched its China-exclusive Galaxy Z Fold Special Edition (SE), marking a significant effort to penetrate the Chinese foldable phone market. With China accounting for over 40 percent of global foldable phone shipments and high demand for flagship smartphones, Samsung aims to capitalize on this demand to expand its presence.

According to mobile industry sources on November 8, Samsung began pre-orders for the Galaxy Z Fold SE 'Heart of the World' series W25 and W25 Flip on November 6 (local time), and will launch official sales through Samsung's online and offline channels in China on November 15. Traditionally, the 'Heart of the World' line is a high-end, limited edition series that Samsung markets to affluent Chinese customers.

The new models feature gold-trimmed edges, a color especially favored by Chinese consumers. Like the Galaxy Z Fold SE, the W25 sports a 6.5-inch screen when folded and an 8-inch display when opened, with a thickness of 10.6 mm and a 200-megapixel wide-angle camera. The W25 is slightly heavier, weighing in at 255 grams compared to the Z Fold SE's 236 grams, which Samsung attributes to additional design elements. Prices start at 15,999 yuan (approximately 3.11 million won or $2,248) for the 16GB RAM and 512GB storage model, while the 1TB model starts at 17,999 yuan (about 3.5 million won).

The W25 Flip is equipped with a 50-megapixel main camera, featuring a 6.7-inch interior screen and a 3.4-inch external display. It's priced at 9,999 yuan (roughly 1.94 million won).

The industry perceives Samsung's latest launch as a strong entry into the Chinese foldable phone market, as the Galaxy Z Fold SE has only been released in South Korea and China. Samsung's strategy to re-target the Chinese market aligns with strong patriotic consumer sentiments and the demand for high-end smartphones. This move comes as Chinese smartphone companies increasingly enter the foldable market, showing strong interest in this category. Market research firm IDC projects that China's foldable phone shipments will reach 10.68 million units this year, accounting for approximately 42 percent of global foldable shipments.

Nevertheless, the formidable presence of Chinese manufacturers poses a significant challenge for Samsung. Huawei, for instance, unveiled the world's first dual-folding smartphone, the 'Mate XT,' in September, focusing on a lighter, thinner, and more flexible design format. As a result, Samsung's dominant position in the foldable market is increasingly under threat. According to market research firm Counterpoint Research, Huawei captured a 35 percent share of the global foldable smartphone market in the first quarter, overtaking Samsung's leading position for the first time.