SEOUL, Aug 10 (Reuters) - Samsung Electronics (005930.KS) unveiled its latest high-end foldable smartphones connected Wednesday, keeping prices astatine the aforesaid level arsenic past year's successful a bid to cement its enactment successful an expanding niche market.

The smartphone shaper priced its clamshell Galaxy Z Flip4 astatine $999.99, and the 5G-enabled top-line Galaxy Z Fold4 with a 7.6-inch main surface to commencement astatine $1,799.99 successful the United States, the aforesaid arsenic the motorboat prices of past year's models.

"We've successfully transformed this class from a extremist task to a mainstream instrumentality lineup enjoyed by millions worldwide," said TM Roh, president and caput of mobile acquisition astatine Samsung Electronics.

The Galaxy Z Flip4 and Z Fold4, arsenic good arsenic its latest earbuds, Galaxy Buds2 Pro, volition beryllium mostly disposable starting Aug. 26 successful prime places specified arsenic the United States, parts of Europe and South Korea.

Counterpoint Research forecast planetary shipments of foldable smartphones to turn to 16 cardinal units this year, conscionable 1.2% of the 1.36 cardinal smartphone shipments forecast, but a leap from 9 cardinal foldables shipped past year.

Although the wide smartphone marketplace is seen shrinking this twelvemonth arsenic consumers walk less, foldable smartphones are apt to fare better, arsenic their quirky signifier factor, ample screens and portability pull interest, analysts said.

Samsung held a 62% marketplace stock successful foldable smartphones successful the archetypal fractional of 2022, followed by Huawei astatine 16% and Oppo astatine 3%. Counterpoint forecast Samsung's stock successful the 2nd fractional volition beryllium astir 80% aft the caller releases.

Samsung said it is aiming for foldable telephone income to surpass that of its past flagship smartphone, Galaxy Note, successful the 2nd half. work much

"Foldables person helped Samsung differentiate itself... Apple volition beryllium Samsung's cardinal rival successful the aboriginal and we expect a foldable to beryllium released from Apple successful either 2024 oregon 2025," said Counterpoint elder expert Jene Park.

Samsung said the latest models marque it easier for telephone owners to usage fashionable apps specified arsenic Instagram and Microsoft's (MSFT.O) Outlook.

Reporting by Joyce Lee. Editing by Gerry Doyle

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