Samsung may launch the Galaxy Z Fold 5 and Galaxy Z Flip 5 foldables sooner than expected. That’s based on rumors that the company will begin the mass production of hinges for the upcoming foldable duo at the beginning of June. Last year, it started manufacturing the hinges late in June.
Galaxy Z Fold 5 and Flip 5 may launch a few weeks earlier
Samsung unveiled the Galaxy Z Fold 4 and Galaxy Z Flip 4 foldables on August 10, 2022, with sales commencing later that month. It is expected to debut the succeeding models around the same time this year. The Galaxy Z Fold 5 and Galaxy Z Flip 5 should arrive alongside the Galaxy Watch 6 series sometime in August 2023.
However, a new rumor suggests otherwise. It comes from noted Twitter tipster @Tech_Reve and hints at a rushed release of the 2023 foldable duo. More precisely, the Galaxy Z Fold 5 and Galaxy Z Flip 5 could debut a few weeks earlier than the 2022 models. The tipster is suggesting a July launch of the new foldables, possibly in the second half of July. As said earlier, the rumor stems from Samsung’s production schedule of foldable parts.
Manufacturing and assembling a foldable smartphone is a complex process, certainly more complex than regular non-folding phones. These unconventional phones have many moving parts and components inside. Companies usually start producing those parts several months before the phone’s launch. Last year, Samsung started readying components for the Galaxy Z Fold 4 and Galaxy Z Flip 4 as early as May.
However, the hinges for the 2022 foldables reportedly entered production at the end of June. That’s about a month and a half ahead of the launch. This year, Samsung is said to start manufacturing hinges for the Galaxy Z Fold 5 and Galaxy Z Flip 5 in early June, which means at least a couple of weeks earlier than last year. Going by this production schedule, the new foldables may debut in late July.
Samsung may need more time to properly test the new hinge
Samsung could be kicking off the mass production of hinges for the Galaxy Z Fold 5 and Galaxy Z Flip 5 earlier than usual for a different reason, though. It is using a new type of hinge this year. The so-called waterdrop hinge reduces the thickness of the foldables by allowing them to fold shut and also eliminates the display crease. The company may require more time to manufacture and properly test the new hinge and may start production earlier. In that case, the Galaxy Z Fold 5 and Galaxy Z Flip 5 could still arrive in August.