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The rumored thinner Galaxy Z Fold 6 did get a “Special” name: Samsung launched it in South Korea as the Galaxy Z Fold Special Edition, without the number “6” in its official retail name. The name was hinted at in an August 2024 leak, then confirmed by Samsung on October 21; the phone went on sale in South Korea on October 25, 2024.
From “Slim” rumor to official name
Early reports described Samsung’s slimmer foldable as the Galaxy Z Fold 6 Slim. Another rumored label was Galaxy Z Fold 6 Ultra. In August 2024, a post attributed to leaker Evan Blass was interpreted as pointing to “Galaxy Z Fold Special Edition.” That was a naming hint, not a Samsung announcement, and the original post was later reported as deleted or unavailable. SamMobile’s report on the naming rumor documented the speculation.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
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Samsung Galaxy Z Fold7, 512GB, Jet Black - Unlocked (Renewed) | $1,179.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
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Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra Unlocked Android Smartphone, 512GB Graphite | $2,299.99 | Buy on Amazon |
Samsung settled the question in its October 21, 2024 announcement: the product is the Galaxy Z Fold Special Edition. “Galaxy Z Fold 6 Special Edition” and “Galaxy Z Fold SE” are common shorthand, but neither is the formal name in Samsung’s announcement. “Slim” describes the design goal, not the final product name; the “Ultra” label did not become the retail name.
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More than a thinner Fold 6
The Special Edition made several changes beyond reducing the folded thickness. Samsung lists a 10.6mm folded body and a weight of 236g, compared with approximately 12.1mm and 239g for the standard Galaxy Z Fold 6. That is a 1.5mm reduction in folded thickness and a 3g weight saving—not a dramatic weight difference, but a more compact folded profile.
#1 Best Overall
- A premium foldable smartphone featuring an 8.0" Dynamic AMOLED 2X main display, 6.5" cover display, 200MP main camera, Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy processor, up to 16GB RAM and 1TB storage, 4,400mAh battery, and a slim 215g design.
| Feature | Galaxy Z Fold Special Edition | Galaxy Z Fold 6 |
|---|---|---|
| Folded thickness | 10.6mm | Approximately 12.1mm |
| Weight | 236g | Approximately 239g |
| Inner display | 8.0 inches | 7.6 inches |
| Cover display | 6.5 inches | 6.3 inches |
| Main wide camera | 200MP | 50MP |
| Memory | 16GB | 12GB |
The Special Edition’s cover screen uses a wider, more conventional 21:9 aspect ratio, while its inner display has a 20:18 ratio. Samsung’s Korean product listing gives display resolutions of 2520 × 1080 for the cover screen and 2184 × 1968 for the inner screen. The wider outer panel may make typing and everyday tasks with the phone closed feel less constrained than on the standard Fold 6.
Its 200MP main wide camera was the first 200MP camera in Samsung’s Galaxy Z series at launch. Samsung also specified 16GB of memory. The phone uses the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for Galaxy and launched in a Black Shadow finish. These changes help explain why “Special Edition” fits better than a label suggesting a simple slimmed-down version. Samsung did not say that it chose the name for this reason; it is a description of how the final device differs.
What about S Pen support?
Before launch, reports said the thinner design would drop S Pen compatibility, potentially because of changes needed to reduce the phone’s thickness. That was a pre-launch report, not an explanation Samsung confirmed in the naming announcement. If S Pen use matters to you, check Samsung’s final specification for the exact regional model and confirm compatibility before buying; do not rely on the older “Slim” rumor as a definitive specification.
Availability and Korean launch price
Samsung’s cited launch announcement confirms South Korean sales beginning October 25, 2024, through Samsung.com Korea and the country’s three major mobile carriers. The launch price was 2,789,600 South Korean won, for a single Black Shadow configuration. For comparison, the standard Fold 6’s Korean launch prices ranged from 2,229,700 won for 256GB to 2,704,900 won for 1TB. The Special Edition therefore launched above even the standard Fold 6’s 1TB Korean price. Those figures are Korean launch prices, not a U.S. MSRP or a direct guide to the cost of importing one.
Rank #2
- SPLIT THE VIEW. MULTITASK¹ TO THE MAX: Productivity never felt this powerful. Use up to three apps¹ at once on the expansive inner screen of Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra. You’ll enjoy plenty of space to work, play, connect and more.
- MULTITASKING MADE SMARTER WITH AI: Stay one step ahead with AI² that suggests which apps you might need next. Then view those multiple windows side by side on the large screen of your Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra.
- ANY SHOT, ALL THE DETAILS: Dive into the details of any image with our best camera on a foldable smartphone. Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra boasts a 200MP camera — and an upgraded 50MP Ultra Wide lens — for both stunning wide shots and extreme close-ups.
- ELITE CHIPSET. FLUID GRAPHICS: Experience what’s possible with our most advanced Galaxy Z Series processor. From immersive gaming and speedy multitasking to the latest Galaxy AI³ features, the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 keeps everything running seamlessly.
- THE BATTERY YOU’VE BEEN WAITING FOR: It’s the battery you’ve been wanting in a foldable cell phone. Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra packs a powerful ultra-sized⁴ battery in an ultra-slim design. Plus, with Super Fast Charging 2.0⁵, charge up faster than ever before.
Pre-launch reports expected limited availability, including South Korea and China, but Samsung’s cited announcement establishes the South Korean release; it does not establish a worldwide launch or a U.S. release. A U.S. buyer should not assume that an imported Korean or Chinese model will have local warranty coverage, carrier certification, compatible LTE and 5G bands, eSIM support, repair availability, or the same Samsung Wallet and trade-in options as a local model. Confirm those details for the specific handset and carrier before paying an import premium.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Should you wait for one?
If you are in South Korea and want a slimmer Fold with larger displays, a 200MP main camera and 16GB of memory, the Special Edition is the version the rumor was pointing toward. Its thinner body is paired with broader hardware changes, but it also launched at a higher Korean price than the standard Fold 6.
For most buyers outside its confirmed launch market, the standard Fold 6 may be the more practical choice if local warranty, carrier support, repairs, trade-ins or S Pen functionality matter. The key distinction is not “Slim versus Special Edition” as if they were separate confirmed phones: the thinner-model rumor became one product, officially named the Galaxy Z Fold Special Edition.
Quick Recap
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