The Galaxy Z TriFold has ushered in a new form factor that isn’t immediately going to take off, which is why Samsung is undertaking a multitude of precautions to ensure that its first-generation triple-folding smartphone is every bit as durable as single-folding devices it has been launching for years. Unfortunately, making them equally robust requires careful manufacturing and inspection, meaning that the Korean giant cannot push its production line to churn out more units. This obviously means that the Galaxy Z TriFold will be made in fewer quantities, but every one of those units would have been precisely crafted.
Expanding production of the Galaxy Z TriFold would quickly introduce manufacturing defects and costs, so Samsung is willing to stick with just higher component costs by pushing a smaller volume of its triple-folding smartphone
The first batch of the Galaxy Z TriFold sold out in around five minutes, with the second shipment quickly picked up in two minutes. While there is some demand for Samsung’s triple-folding smartphone, the reason this device is selling in perceived droves is due to highly controlled volume. According to The Korea Herald, the industry estimates that Samsung has only sold between 3,000 and 4,000 units, and does not expect the technology titan to go past the 30,000 - 40,000-unit mark globally.
This figure is negligible compared to the success garnered by the Galaxy Z Fold 7 and Galaxy Z Flip 7, which compelled Samsung to hand out a 75 percent base salary bonus to employees working for its Mobile Experience division. The reason Samsung is prioritizing its brand image over profitability is due to durability problems that can materialize if the Galaxy Z TriFold is produced in higher numbers. Increasing the production counter will result in higher manufacturing defects, leading to increased costs.
Then again, lowering production output will also increase component costs for the Galaxy Z TriFold, which is why the company has had to compromise on using the Snapdragon 8 Elite instead of Qualcomm’s latest and greatest Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5. We also reported on a Galaxy Z TriFold prototype featuring four primary cameras, while the commercial variant shipped with three, hinting that Samsung has had to cut corners in this area too.
The two hinges and multiple high-end OLED panels shoot up the ‘Bill of Materials’ (BoM) real quick, and let us not forget that the DRAM shortage will only make things worse, as the supply deficit is expected to persist until Q4 2027. During the product’s unveiling, Lim Sung-taek, Vice President and Head of Samsung Electronics Korea, said the price was ‘a figure we arrived at only after cutting and cutting again,’ suggesting that the company is generating razor-thin margins on each unit sold. With time, the technology is expected to mature, allowing Samsung to ramp up production; however, for now, the company is being extra cautious.
News Source: The Korea Herald
About the author: Omar Sohail is a reporter and analyst for Wccftech's mobile section, specializing in the technology and business of the mobile industry. His expertise lies in the intricate hardware supply chain, covering developments in semiconductor manufacturing, chip lithography, and camera sensor technology.
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