June Wan/

Flip phones are back -- in the form of foldable phones at least -- and consumers have plenty of options if they're looking to enter the fold. But a new foldable phone from Samsung could be one of the most enticing options yet. 

While Samsung's current foldable phones, theGalaxy Z and theFold carry price tags of about$1,000 and$1,800 respectively, a recent leak showed a reported mid-range Samsung foldable phone set to debut next year that would cost a shockingly affordable$400 to$500.

Also: I found every buying reason for Samsung's most confusing phone this year

For reference, the Motorola Razr, the most affordable foldable phone this year, had a starting price of$699 and was recently on sale for$499. Black Friday sale aside, the new Samsung phone would significantly undercut the prices of every other foldable. 

It's not clear whether this will be a book-style or a clamshell, but based on their current prices, it's likely this will be more similar to the lower-priced Galaxy Z. What kind of concessions would Samsung have to make for that lower price? 

Samsung has set the price target for the mid-range foldable at$400 to$500. This is a very aggressive goal. https://t.co/7tEZONw0Jw

- Revegnus (@Tech_Reve) November 10, 2023

If the Motorola Razr was any indication, the reduced-price Samsung would probably have a smaller display, likely a less-powerful camera, and would probably make cuts to processing power. But the Razr still handles daily tasks very well, so the phone has plenty of use for most people.

Also: Samsung and Google reboot VR headset plans to challenge Vision Pro, now targeting end of 2024: report

Of course, the biggest question now is, will this be the foldable that leads to mainstream adoption? Folding phones are certainly the hot thing right now, but they haven't found a foothold among other flagships, at least in the US (foldables accounted for 40% of premium phone sales in South Korea last year, and that's only expected to grow this year).

In our hands-on review of the Galaxy Z Fold 5, though, it was pointed out that Samsung President TM Roh said that 50% of smartphone users were considering an upgrade to a foldable device. And if that is indeed the case, the lower price of this phone could finally be a tipping point for many buyers.

Samsung Unpacked

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 review: Three features I love (and two that I still wish for)Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra hands-on review: Minor improvements to an already great tabletHow to preorder the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5, Flip 5, Tab S6 and moreSamsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 hands-on review: Three upgrades that make a notable differenceWe tested every foldable phone on the market. These are the best models

• Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 review: Three features I love (and two that I still wish for)
• Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra hands-on review: Minor improvements to an already great tablet
• How to preorder the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5, Flip 5, Tab S6 and more
• Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 hands-on review: Three upgrades that make a notable difference
• We tested every foldable phone on the market. These are the best models