Samsung May End Galaxy Z Flip After Flip 8 as Supply Chain Goes Silent on Flip 9

2 articles · Updated · Notebookcheck.net · May 17

A new supply-chain leak says Samsung may stop the Galaxy Z Flip line after the Flip 8, citing a complete lack of early signs that a Flip 9 is in development.
At least 1 year of advance product planning would normally leave a supply-chain trail by now, the tipster said, making the silence notable despite the rumor's speculative nature.
Three pressures were cited: rising component and flexible-display costs, a clamshell design that has little room left to evolve, and stronger buyer interest in larger book-style foldables such as the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Wide.
The same post also floated that there may be no Flip 8 this year, but that clashes with multiple prior leaks pointing to a Flip 8 launch alongside the Fold 8 line at a July 22 Galaxy Unpacked event.

Is the clamshell foldable a dead end, or is Samsung planning a budget Z Flip to counter its costly flagships?

With Apple avoiding flip phones, is the book-style foldable destined to become the only premium smartphone that matters?