Tech Guide – Samsung is reportedly not going to proceed with the plan to include the S Pen in the Galaxy Fold 2 smartphone. This decision aims to achieve the goal of reducing the smartphone’s weight compared to its predecessor, even though the screen is larger.
With the removal of the S Pen, the Galaxy Fold 2 is expected to weigh around 229 grams or just over 8 ounces, according to a blog post on South Korea’s Naver platform, via SamMobile. This would make the device about 40 grams or roughly 2.8 ounces lighter than the Galaxy Fold, while the S Pen will remain exclusive to the Galaxy Note series.
The blog post also claims that the Galaxy Fold 2 will be launched with Martian Green and Astro Blue color options. These color choices were initially announced for the Galaxy Fold last year but were not realized due to the delay of Samsung’s first foldable smartphone. However, similar to other Samsung Galaxy flagships, the availability of these variants will differ by region.
The Galaxy Fold 2 is expected to feature a larger screen of around 8 inches, compared to the 7.3-inch screen of its predecessor, according to South Korea’s ETNews. The smartphone will maintain the side-to-side opening of the Galaxy Flip, unlike the clamshell-style opening of the Galaxy Z Flip.
Samsung is reported to unveil the Galaxy Fold 2 alongside the Galaxy Note 20 in August. Mass production of parts for the Galaxy Fold 2 is set to begin in mid-May, followed by mass production of the smartphone between June and July.
The Galaxy Fold 2 will aim for a lower price with a 256GB model, compared to the nearly $2,000 launch price of the Galaxy Fold, according to SamMobile. This move is partly due to the relative success of the Galaxy Z Flip, which was launched with a price tag of around $1,400 or approximately Rp 22 million.
Samsung’s second foldable smartphone, initially thought to be the Galaxy Fold 2, turned out to be the Galaxy Z Flip, released in February with a price tag of $1,380 or around Rp 21 million.
Flexible screens open up new possibilities, including more foldable smartphones from Samsung and other manufacturers in the future. However, the economic recession caused by the COVID-19 pandemic could push ultra-premium devices like the Galaxy Fold 2 beyond the budget of most potential customers, and it remains to be seen how the health crisis will impact future plans of smartphone makers.