At the MWC 2024 exhibition, the Avenir company unveiled the Energizer Ultimate U660S, a foldable smartphone that aims to stand out in a crowded market by offering notable value at a price point around €500. Industry coverage from ITHome highlighted this positioning, noting that the device is designed to appeal to buyers who want real folding screen capability without paying premium prices. The messaging around the U660S centers on delivering a balance between modern foldable aesthetics and practical everyday performance, making it a compelling option for budget-conscious tech enthusiasts in North America and beyond.
The Energizer Ultimate U660S sports a 6.67-inch foldable OLED display with Full HD+ resolution, delivering crisp visuals and smooth color reproduction when open. The device is powered by a mid-range MediaTek Helio G99 chip, paired with 12 GB of RAM and 256 GB of internal storage, which together support reliable multitasking and everyday apps. This combination aims to provide a sufficient performance envelope for most daily tasks, including streaming, light gaming, and productivity workloads, while keeping power consumption in check for a reasonable battery life profile. The camera setup features a 64-megapixel main sensor, complemented by an 8-megapixel ultra-wide module, and a 25-megapixel front-facing camera for selfies and video calls. These specifications place the U660S in a mid-tier category where users can expect solid photography and versatile shooting options without the top-tier price tag seen on premium folding phones.
The energy capacity of the phone is rated at 3,400 mAh, a figure that has drawn attention as a potential bottleneck for users who rely on heavy all-day use, especially given the demands of a foldable form factor. Battery endurance in real-world scenarios will largely hinge on software optimization, display brightness, and how aggressively the system manages power across the folding hinge. The Energizer U660S runs on Android 14, ensuring access to the latest system features, security updates, and a familiar app ecosystem. For many buyers, Android 14 compatibility is a specific expectation, offering improved privacy controls and smoother performance that align with contemporary smartphone usage patterns rather than older software baselines.
Launch timing places the Energizer Ultimate U660S on the market in November 2024, with anticipation that pricing discipline may tighten as competition intensifies and new foldable entrants appear. The strategic timing suggests that early adopters could enjoy introductory offers while retailers and carriers adjust to evolving supply chains and regional demand. As with any folding device, the price advantage is likely to be challenged by newer, cheaper foldables introduced by rivals later in the year, potentially narrowing the gap for early buyers who act quickly while deals hold. Market observers note that foldable segments often see rapid shifts in price, driven by promotional campaigns, seasonal sales, and the entry of competing models that push down street prices after launch windows close.
Competitors have already showcased compelling alternatives that could influence consumer decisions. For example, ZTE recently released the Nubia Flip at a roughly $600 price point, with pricing in some markets around 63,000 yen in Japan, translating to lower local currencies and making a direct comparison nuanced across regions. Last year, Tecno introduced the Phantom V Flip, a clamshell design that initially appeared in Russia at around 60,000 rubles, but discounts later brought street prices closer to the mid-30,000 ruble range. These market dynamics illustrate how regional pricing strategies and temporary promotions can significantly alter the perceived value of foldable devices over time, especially for buyers who keep an eye on total cost of ownership rather than sticker price alone.
In the broader mobile landscape, producers continue to refine foldable form factors, aiming to deliver devices that blend portability, durability, and everyday usefulness. The Energizer U660S is positioned as a practical option for those who want to experience the benefits of a foldable screen without committing to the higher prices associated with flagship models. As the category matures, consumers should expect ongoing improvements in battery efficiency, display durability, and software optimization, which together enhance the overall ownership experience for foldable smartphones across diverse markets in Canada, the United States, and beyond. Traders and reviewers will be watching closely how the U660S performs in real-world usage, how long software support lasts, and how future pricing adjustments impact its competitiveness in late-2024 and into the following year.