Samsung has a new clamshell-style foldable in the form of the Galaxy Z Flip5. The device is already up for local consumers to register their pre-interest (a new thing for us), before pre-orders go live on 11th August and this R29 999 (RRP) phone is shipped out on 25th August.
While it remains to be seen how many Gen Z consumers, which is the target demographic if marketing material is to be believed, we are also interested to see how Samsung Mobile South Africa is looking to localise the new device for our country and fans of the brand.
To that end, Samsung has confirmed that something is brewing when it comes to the Flipsuit Case.
If you don’t know what we’re talking about, the FlipSuit Case is described as, “Device protection with a changeable NFC card, so users can match their Flex Window design and case design for even more personalization options.”
On display from Samsung was NFC-based cards from the likes of Keith Haring and other famous artists, but what about South African creatives?
This is something we asked Samsung SA’s MX lead for Product and Commercial Management, Zahir Cajee, about. While he did not drop any names, he did mention that talks are underway and localisation is something the company wants to lean into for the Z Flip5.
“The way it works, is that it’s a clear case and it has an NFC technology-backed plate that slips in and automatically customises the look of the Flex Window,” he notes of the features funtionality.
“There are conversations at the moment to localise some of the content and creative that we’ll have in terms of customisation options. I can’t say too much more, but you should definitely watch this space. There are production timelines and supply chains involved, but we are looking at it,” Cajee said.
The MX lead was not able to give a precise date on when a collaboration would drop, but has outlined a window.
“You’ll probably see it in the next two to three months,” he concluded.
Pricing for accessories, including the Flipsuit Case, have not gone live on Samsung’s local website just yet, so it remains to be seen how much this NFC-based offering will cost, but the fact that a local artist will get to feature is something worth getting excited about.
We will, however, have to wait to see which artist/artists are tapped up for this accessory on the Flip5.
