Galaxy Z Fold6 Ultra to Debut Exclusively in South Korea and China
Samsung is set to launch the highly anticipated Galaxy Z Fold6 Ultra exclusively in South Korea and China. Earlier reports had hinted at three foldable Samsung phones in development, codenamed B6, Q6, and Q6a. The B6 and Q6 have been identified as the Z Flip6 and Z Fold6, respectively. Meanwhile, the Q6a has been speculated to be the Galaxy Z Fold FE, Z Fold Slim, or Z Fold Ultra.
Development and Model Numbers
Development on the Q6a model is ongoing, but firmware for a device with the model number SM-F958N has surfaced online. The Z Fold6 carries the model number SM-F956. The last digit in these model numbers indicates the device class, and the final letter signifies the region. “N” signifies Korea, while “0” is used for Chinese models. The SM-F958N firmware is associated with country codes KOO, KTC, SKC, and LUC, which correspond to South Korea’s major carriers—KT, SK Telecom, LG U+—and an unlocked version. Additionally, leaks suggest that the Z Fold6 Ultra will also debut in China, with a potential launch in October.
In China, Samsung’s foldables are branded with a “W” instead of “Z.” For example, the Samsung W24 featured 16GB of RAM compared to the international Galaxy Z Fold5, which had 12GB. The Galaxy Z Fold6 Ultra may follow this pattern, offering unique features for the Chinese market.
Slimmer Design and Rumored Features
Rumors indicate that the key to the slimmer design of the Z Fold6 Ultra is the absence of a digitizer. A digitizer is crucial for converting stylus or pen movements into digital signals, enabling S Pen functionality on the inner display of Galaxy Fold devices. The removal of the digitizer suggests that the Fold6 Slim may not support the S Pen. This implies that the Fold6 Slim might not be the higher-spec “Ultra” model, as removing the S Pen feature from the Ultra model after years of inclusion on the standard model may not be well-received.
Limited Release with Expansion Possibilities
The Galaxy Z Fold6 Ultra is slated for a limited release, but there’s potential for expanding its availability. The new foldable is still several months away from launch. Although the previously rumored launch timeline was Q4 2024, there’s little chance the device will arrive early in Q4.
Upcoming Unpacked Event
Samsung is expected to unveil more products, including the Galaxy Tab S10 series and possibly an XR headset, during an October Unpacked event. Stay tuned for more updates as the tech giant prepares to reveal its latest innovations in the foldable smartphone market.
