Samsung taps Chinese firm for Galaxy Z Fold 6 SE (Slim) HDI

Chinese firm Fastprint could supply HDI for Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 SE/Slim. TheElec reports that Fastprint is producing HDI for Samsung’s Slim foldable at its Beijing PCB factory, which it acquired from Japan’s Ibiden in 2022.

Samsung is preparing to launch a Slim variant of the Galaxy Z Fold 6. It is said that the Korean tech giant is bringing Galaxy Z Fold SE to compete with Chinese foldable brands. However, the Fold SE could only be sold in South Korea and China.

Components for the Z Fold 6 Slim have already been produced. Samsung’s MX Division has been testing the reliability of its SE foldable until recently. The production volume was kept small, which could be adjusted to market response.

Ibiden was temporarily absent from the supply chain for HDI for the Galaxy S23 series. In 4Q22, when Ibiden was pushing for the sale of the Beijing factory, the development of the S23 series was in full swing, making it difficult to continue the supply.

The background behind Fastprint’s primary supply of HDI for the Galaxy Z Fold 6 Slim is believed to be largely influenced by Ibiden’s existing technology. Ibiden has been producing HDI for Samsung phones at its Beijing factory.

Samsung is expected to launch the Galaxy Z Fold SE in October this year. Rumors say it’s only coming to China and South Korea. It supports S Pen despite ditching the digitizer technology to reduce the thickness and weight.