Galaxy Z Fold6 FE reportedly in the works; drops S-Pen support, aimed as a budget model

Samsung is reportedly working on a more budget-friendly version of its flagship foldable phone, the Galaxy Z Fold6 FE. This variant is expected to make a key sacrifice to achieve a lower price point: S Pen support.

Previously, the S Pen, which requires additional internal hardware (called ‘digitizer’) for functionality, was sold separately from the Z Fold5. Omitting this tech would naturally translate to reduced manufacturing costs for the FE.

The report (from ETNews) also suggests that other unspecified “parts and performance” aspects of the phone might be dialed back compared to the standard Z Fold6. Exactly what corners will be cut remains to be seen, but potential areas include the processor, camera setup, or display quality.

The lack of S Pen support makes a certain sense. For many users, the stylus functionality isn’t essential, and the lack of a dedicated S Pen slot on previous Folds reinforces this. However, it’s likely cost-cutting measures will extend beyond just the S Pen, potentially impacting other areas of the phone’s experience.

Adding weight to the Z Fold6 FE’s existence is a separate report by WinFuture. They uncovered codenames in import/export databases that seem to correspond to Samsung’s upcoming foldables. ‘B6’ is believed to be the Galaxy Z Flip6, ‘Q6’ the Z Fold6, and a new ‘Q6A’ codename is suspected to be the rumored budget model.

For reference, the Z Fold5 and Z Flip5 sported codenames Q5 and B5 respectively, lending credence to these assumptions. WinFuture further suggests that component production for the Q6A began alongside the Q6, hinting at a potential simultaneous launch for both phones. Based on past release cycles, this could point to a late July or August unveiling.