Samsung confirms it's working on a 'slimmer and lighter' foldable phone

After a shaky start last year, Samsung has managed to dominate the foldable phone segment with its Z Flip range and Galaxy Fold devices. We’ve already heard rumors regarding the firm’s foldable offerings in 2021, and now Samsung has confirmed a key detail.

Samsung noted at the company’s 2020 investor forum (h/t: The Elec via SamMobile) that it’s working on a new foldable phone with a “slimmer and lighter design.” The company didn’t say this new phone is the Galaxy Z Fold 3 though, and an accompanying graphic includes both the Z Flip and Fold lines. Check it out below.

Nevertheless, it stands to reason that the Galaxy Z Fold 3 is the slimmer and lighter device in question, as the Z Flip wasn’t exactly thick and hefty. Meanwhile, our own Eric Zeman criticized the Galaxy Z Fold 2 for its bulkiness, saying it was a “massive brick.”

More specifically, the Z Fold 2 weighs in at 282 grams compared to the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra’s 208 grams — a significant difference. So it would make sense for Samsung to bring a slimmer and lighter design to the Z Fold lineup.

Samsung’s graphic also points to the upcoming foldable packing “differentiated technology,” although we’re not quite sure what to expect in this regard. But one persistent Galaxy Z Fold 3 rumor is that it could pack an S-Pen. This form of input would require the Galaxy Z Fold 3 to have a tougher screen as well, which would be a bonus even if you don’t care for the S-Pen.

It’s also interesting to see Samsung saying it intends to make foldables a “mainstream product,” suggesting that we can expect lower pricing of some sort in 2021.

Next: Everything we know so far about the Galaxy S21 series