Samsung Electronics recently launched its flagship mobile and smart devices, the Galaxy Z Flip 5 and Fold 5, accompanied by the Watch 6 series, at a grand event in Nepal. In an interview with Tamish Giri from New Business Age, Pranaya Ratna Sthapit of Samsung Nepal shed light on these new offerings. Excerpts:

How has the Nepali market responded to the launch of the new Galaxy Z Fold 5 and Flip 5 phones?

Samsung is a global leader in the foldable phone category, with increasing interest from mobile users worldwide. We recently unveiled the Galaxy Z Fold 5 and Flip 5 - the fifth version of our foldable series. These models come with numerous upgrades compared to their predecessors. While we are still in the pre-order phase, we have been receiving an overwhelming response for pre-orders.

Could you highlight the new features and technological advancements in the Galaxy Z Flip 5 and Fold 5 phones?

The Galaxy Z Flip 5 and Fold 5 redefine the foldable experience with innovative design elements and pro-grade camera capabilities. The Flex Hinge offers an aesthetic and solid design, enabling a seamless foldable experience. These devices boast extraordinary camera capabilities such as FlexCam to take photos from creative angles. With strong performance and an optimised battery powered by the latest processor, the Galaxy Z series transforms what is possible with the phone. From content creation on Galaxy Z Flip5’s new Flex Windows to seamless multitasking on Galaxy Z Fold5, this series meets the diverse needs of modern users.

Durability is paramount in the design, featuring a shock dispersion layer, IPX83 support, Armor Aluminum frames, and Corning Gorilla Glass Victus24. The integrated Flex Hinge module ensures enhanced protection against external impacts. The Galaxy Z Flip 5's Flipsuit Case7 offers personalised device protection, while the camera experience, facilitated by FlexCam, is exceptionally versatile. On the other hand, the Galaxy Z Fold 5 combines an expansive screen and extended battery life, offering optimised productivity through features like Taskbar and S Pen Fold Edition.

Samsung has introduced the Watch 6 series alongside the new phones. Could you outline the technological advancements in this new series?

The Watch 6 series introduces two models: the Watch 6 Classic and Watch 6. These watches feature sleek and trendy designs, with the Classic version being the largest Samsung watch at 44mm. It has a rotating bezel with a large AMOLED screen. The focus is on sleep tracking, reflecting Samsung's commitment to overall well-being. The watches monitor sleep patterns, including deep sleep hours, heart rate, and skin temperature.

How do you envision the new Flip 5 and Fold 5 series impacting Samsung's presence in the Nepali market?

Over the years, Samsung has successfully transformed foldable and flip phones from niche products to mainstream devices. Initially, people were quite sceptical about buying them citing them as a fragile set. But in the past five years, people have started to accept foldable and flip series phones as their primary phone devices.The positive response indicates that these devices are no longer confined to a niche but represent the future of smartphones. This growing trend solidifies our confidence that the Flip and Fold series will significantly boost Samsung's brand presence in Nepal.

Could you elaborate on the financial options available for the Flip 5 and Fold 5 phones?

We recognise that while these phones are premium devices, affordability can be a concern for many. To address this, we offer two options: exchange offers and zero-interest EMI. Customers can exchange their current phones at our selected stores, getting a valuation that will be deducted from the new device's price. Additionally, our Samsung Insta Finance offers zero-interest EMIs for up to 12 months, ensuring easy ownership. One can take the phone home by making a down payment of 60%. The entire process takes as little as an hour and requires basic documents like citizenship copies, income certificates, bank statements, and a guarantor.

Do you believe that the Flip and Fold 5 series will propel Samsung to lead the premium segment market in Nepal?

Absolutely, these phones are the flagships of our premium segment. Samsung offers two premium series - the foldable series and the S series - targeting specific consumer groups. The growing demand for premium phones underlines their transition from luxury items to essential tools. Today, these devices are needed for various tasks, from photography to gaming and productivity. This trend is driving the expansion of the premium segment.

Could you share how Samsung integrates sustainability and ESG principles into the new phones?

Samsung is committed to achieving net-zero emissions at the Device Experience (DX) Division and the Device Solutions (DS) Division by 2030 and 2050, respectively. The Galaxy Z Flip 5 and Fold 5 embody this commitment by incorporating recycled materials in both internal and external components. Pre-consumer recycled aluminium and post-consumer recycled plastic, sourced from materials like discarded fishing nets and PET bottles, are integral to the devices' construction. The displays are protected by Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2, featuring around 22% pre-consumer recycled glass.

Furthermore, the devices include more components with at least 10% post-consumer recycled plastic or pre-consumer recycled glass. Overall, as many as 15 components in each device use recycled materials, an increase from six internal components in the Flip 4 and Fold 4. The company also uses 100% recycled materials for packaging and paper.

Could you discuss the impact of the grey market on the Nepali mobile business?

The grey market's impact on the mobile business is significant. Our distributors pay 18% tax (13% VAT and 5% duty) to the government while importing phones. When someone buys a phone from the grey markt, the government loses this revenue. Secondly, consumers face problems in repairs due to unavailability of spare parts. If someone gets a phone from abroad or from the grey market, they can face an issue in repairing them as the company customises the phones based on the region. Likewise, if somebody loses a phone bought from the grey market, it becomes difficult to track those phones. Phones bought from the grey market also have network compatibility issues. Samsung meticulously tests phones with Nepali operators before launching them to ensure seamless network performance. Grey market devices lack these assurances and may not support local networks. Therefore, the implementation of the Mobile Data Management System (MDMS) is crucial to mitigate these issues and protect the industry's health and integrity.