If innovation isn’t accessible, then what is so innovative about it. Samsung’s Z Flip line, having just released the Z Flip 7, is amazing technology. A larger, brighter cover display, a sleeker design, and the promise of enhanced performance with the Exynos 2500 chipset – it's a tempting package. For whom, exactly?

Foldable Dreams, Empty Pockets?

Let's talk reality. The Z Flip 7 is packed with a fabulous 6.9” foldable, dazzling display and jaw-dropping AI. Its pricing in Malaysia is already causing some serious raised eyebrows. Now, compound that price by import tariffs, varying exchange rates and retailers mark-up all over the African continent. We’re well past talking about a phone at this point. This is a huge investment, one that is more than the average monthly income for most young Africans.

We're talking about choosing between a cutting-edge gadget and, say, school fees, healthcare, or even putting food on the table. Yet the wonder of its foldable shape rapidly dissipates when compared with the fears that fill each day for millions.

Is this phone truly designed around the needs and challenges of the young African every average young African is faced with. Or is it more of a flex?

AI Dreams or Digital Divide?

The Z Flip 7 is packed with Galaxy AI features: Object Eraser, Chat Assist, Sketch to Image, Circle to Search, Gemini, Gemini Live. These things are great until you actually look at the infrastructural realities of many African countries. Unreliable and inconsistent internet access has stunted advancement. High data costs further aggravate tight budgets, and we will need to bridge the digital literacy gap before AI can really start harnessing everyone’s potential.

Picture using Gemini Live to translate in real-time on the floor of a business negotiation when the scene just goes blank. The frustration boils into anger. Their promise of simple, instantaneous communication is running out of time. With each new generation of expensive, complex devices, the digital divide gets exacerbated.

Despite being a more nature-vibes pick, the Exynos 2500 brings along new heat-related concerns. In a climate with moderate temperatures, a little bit of discomfort is manageable. In the blazing African sun, it becomes a critical issue that degrades both productivity and battery longevity.

Status Symbol or Tool For Progress?

The Z Flip 7’s glossy back and pocketable, expandable shape definitely give off “status” vibes. It’s a status symbol, an ego trip, even an object of lust — a head-turner, not just a car. What if we flipped the script? What if, instead of pursuing prestige, we sought out solutions that truly liberate.

What if Samsung channeled its innovation towards creating more affordable, durable, and relevant foldable devices tailored to the African market? Devices with strong out-of-the-box battery life, optimized to work in low-bandwidth/with minimal connectivity environments and equipped with non-internet-reliant educational resources and productivity applications.

Now, picture that same foldable device in the hands of a smallholder farmer, helping her access up-to-the-minute climate information, crop prices and information about improved farming techniques. Imagine students using remote learning platforms on a bigger, more user-friendly screen. Imagine gas station owners running their business operations, customer engagement, and financing through foldable tablets.

This isn't just about making phones cheaper. It’s not just about fixing one or two tech development processes to do better by people and communities. It’s about hearing from the voices that have been ignored and what’s needed over what’s new and flashy. It's about recognizing that true innovation isn't about cramming more features into a smaller package. It's about creating tools that make a tangible difference in people's lives.

Consider the awe and wonder we feel when witnessing a child in rural Africa access the internet for the first time. Now imagine the fear stacking up on that child’s parents. Or they are just as fiercely fighting their local internet provider to get the data needed so their child can continue learning. Circumventing the clause like the Z Flip 7 does, in its current form, is an egregious slap in the face to this inequity.

Samsung, and other manufacturers, have a choice. They can continue pursuing the bottom line by distributing aspirational technology to an elite fraction of consumers. Or, they can forge a more inclusive path forward.

The right future for technology in Africa is one that lays the groundwork for long-term, sustainable success. It’s more than simply following an emerging trend. It’s about time we look past the status symbols and start using the tools that actually empower. So let’s not waste this opportunity to make foldable technology a force for good, rather than just another harbinger of heightened inequality.

Here's a challenge:

  • Invest in market research: Conduct in-depth studies to understand the specific needs and challenges of African tech users.
  • Develop affordable foldable devices: Create a "Z Flip Lite" line specifically designed for emerging markets.
  • Partner with local developers: Support the creation of apps and services that address local needs.
  • Lobby for digital inclusion: Advocate for policies that promote affordable internet access and digital literacy.

The future of technology in Africa isn't about chasing the latest trends; it's about building a foundation for sustainable progress. It's time to move beyond status symbols and embrace tools that truly empower. Let's make foldable technology a force for good, not just another symbol of inequality.