Samsung’s upcoming tri-fold smartphone, the Galaxy G Fold, has made its appearance on a certification website, but the news regarding its battery specifications is less than exciting. Positioned as a competitor to Huawei’s Mate XT Ultimate Design, the Galaxy G Fold is rumored to be priced between $3,000 and $3,500. This steep price point raises expectations, but potential customers may find the specifications underwhelming. The Galaxy G Fold was spotted on China’s 3C certification site, which is a mandatory requirement for devices sold in China.
This certification, akin to UL in the U.S. and CE in Europe, indicates that products meet safety and quality standards. According to the information on the site, the device carries the model number SM-F9680, indicating it is tailored for the Chinese market. Reports suggest that the G Fold will be available only in South Korea and China. One of the most disappointing revelations from the certification is the Galaxy G Fold’s maximum wired charging capacity of only 25W.
This limitation is likely a precautionary measure due to the phone’s slim design, which may hinder the inclusion of a larger battery. In contrast, Huawei’s Mate XT boasts wired charging speeds of up to 66W. While Samsung has been criticized for slow charging rates—especially in light of past issues with the Galaxy Note 7—this new device offers a battery expected to be less than 5000mAh, compared to the Mate XT’s 5600mAh. On a more positive note, the Galaxy G Fold will feature the advanced Snapdragon 8 Elite application processor, manufactured with TSMC’s 3nm process, giving it a distinctive edge over the Mate XT’s older Kirin 9010 processor.
The Galaxy G Fold is anticipated to be released by the end of August, marking an important entry into the folding smartphone market.