Theta Android News: Here’s when Huawei expects foldable phones to cost the same as regular phones

Monday, March 30, 2020

Here’s when Huawei expects foldable phones to cost the same as regular phones

Huawei Mate Xs review open mode standing

Foldable phones are definitely good to look at and offer a unique design which regular candy bar phones can't compete with. They also carry premium specs, making them all the more appealing. However, their expensive price tags have so far kept them from becoming mass market. From the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip to the Motorola Razr and even the Huawei Mate XS, you're easily looking at paying upwards of $1,000 to get your hands on a foldable phone.

So when will their prices come down? Will there ever be a time when foldable phones cost the same as regular phones? According to Huawei consumer group CEO Richard Yu, it'll take about two years for that to happen.

"The cost in that category is very high; we are losing money. The costs are so intensive, you cannot believe it, you cannot make a profit," Yu was quoted as saying by Wired.

Talking about the Mate XS, the executive said that the demand for its second $2,400 (16,999 Chinese Yuan) foldable phone is very high. He added that Huawei is increasing the production and shipments of the phone, despite its premium price tag.

How much does it cost to replace a foldable phone's screen?

Update, February 17 2020 (5:30AM ET): We've updated our article to include repair costs for the brand-new Samsung Galaxy Z Flip. You can scroll down to view these details and information on repairs for other …

In comparison, even Samsung's Galaxy Z Flip seems to have fared decently as far as consumer demand is concerned. The phone sold out quickly when it first went on sale. Although Samsung hasn't revealed actual shipment numbers, it previously told Android Authority that interest in the Galaxy Z Flip has been "nothing short of amazing."

Given that more smartphone players are entering (or slated to enter) the fold and the industry itself is maturing, we expect it wouldn't be long before we see sub-$1,000 foldable phones.

Last year, Yu had predicted that foldable phones will take about five years to become standard. In fact, he had also said that in time, foldable phones could cost as low as $500.

For foldable phone prices to go as low as $500, we'll probably have to wait for low-cost manufacturers like Xiaomi, Oppo, Vivo, and others to join the bandwagon. These manufacturers are likely refining their designs and waiting for cheaper components before they dip their toes in the pond.

How much are you willing to spend on a foldable phone with top-shelf specs? Drop us a line in the comments section below.