Shillong, July 28: Samsung executives in India revealed that the latest ‘Make in India’ foldable smartphones, manufactured in the Noida factory in Uttar Pradesh, will not only entice existing users to upgrade to the fifth-generation devices but also target new aspirational users through EMI (Equated Monthly Installment) plans and unique offers.
Raju Pullan, Senior Vice President of Mobile Business, Samsung India, stated that the Galaxy Z Flip5 and Galaxy Z Fold5 are expected to gain significant traction among aspirational Indians seeking premium smartphone experiences. Samsung Finance+ and cash-back schemes will enable an easy and seamless EMI route for consumers, appealing to both metropolitan and small-town users.
The Samsung Finance+ program, now in its fifth year, has expanded to 70,000 stores in India, driving a smartphone business worth over $1 billion. The Galaxy Z Flip5 (8GB+256GB) will be priced at Rs 99,999, while the 8GB+512GB variant will cost Rs 109,999. The Galaxy Z Fold5 (12GB+256GB) will be available for Rs 154,999, the 12GB+512GB model for Rs 164,999, and the 12GB+1TB variant for Rs 184,999.
IANS reported that customers who pre-book and purchase the smartphones between July 27 and August 17 will receive offers up to Rs 20,000 on the Z Flip5 and up to Rs 23,000 on the Z Fold5.
Aditya Babbar, Senior Director of Mobile Business, Samsung India, explained that Indian users could own the Z Fold5 (12+512GB) for Rs 141,999 with bank cash-back up to Rs 8,000 and Samsung upgrade bonus up to Rs 5,000, along with a storage benefit worth Rs 10,000. Similarly, the Z Flip5 (8GB+256GB) can be purchased for Rs 79,999 with Rs 8,000 cash-back and Rs 12,000 upgrade bonus. The Samsung upgrade bonus will be applicable to any device, even if it is worth just Rs 5,000.
According to Babbar, foldables have gained a significant foothold among Indian consumers who seek super-premium experiences for productivity, gaming, and streaming. The fifth generation of foldable smartphones is expected to elevate their work-life balance to a new level.
CyberMedia Research (CMR) projects a 65 percent year-on-year surge in foldable smartphone shipments in 2023. Foldable smartphones in the price range of Rs 60,000 to Rs 75,000 are predicted to grow five times by 2026 in India. This reflects the premiumization trend and the evolving user base that seeks differentiation and enhanced capabilities from their smartphones.