Practically for the first time since the original Galaxy Fold back in 2019 and the first-gen Galaxy Z Flip the next year, we can say that Samsung has made a radical change to its foldable portfolio this year, betting on three main models instead of just two or two higher-end devices and a humbler third (like last year).
Although it's rarely wise to judge the sales results of such a high-profile product (or three) like the Galaxy Z Fold 8, Z Fold 8 Ultra, and Z Flip 8 before... they actually start shipping around the world, all early success indicators seem to suggest Samsung's lineup diversification gamble is handsomely paying off.
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No one really expected Samsung's latest foldables to prove THIS popular THIS quickly. | Image by PhoneArena
Believe it or not, the Z Fold 8, Z Flip 8, and Z Fold 8 Ultra have generated higher pre-order scores in South Korea than not just all their predecessors and forerunners, but the Galaxy S26 family and the Galaxy Note 10 duo as well.
The Note 10's mention in this context might seem weird, but that actually set a regional pre-order record that no later Galaxy device managed to surpass... until now. We're talking 1.38 million units for the classic non-foldable S Pen-wielding smartphone series, which the latest and greatest foldables have incredibly bumped up to 1.44 million in just a few days.
Why is this market so important?
Although it's obviously nowhere near as large as India, China, or the US, the Korean smartphone market is paramount for Samsung's (weakening) financial stability and status in the global mobile industry as a whole because it's the tech giant's home.
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If the Z Fold 8 is this hot in South Korea and India, its popularity in other markets is also likely to be sky-high. | Image by PhoneArena
Brands like Apple, Xiaomi, Oppo, or Vivo are not very big in South Korea, and although Samsung can't exactly offset any potentially mediocre global results with just a strong domestic performance from a new flagship family, such a local performance is often a reliable indicator of worldwide success.
So, while there are clearly no guarantees yet, it's certainly encouraging for Samsung that its newest foldable powerhouses (and one model in particular) is off to a flying start in both South Korea and India.
The Galaxy Z Fold 8 alone broke the 1 million pre-order barrier
One device, one country, one million units. Let that number sink in for a second. Of course, if the wide new Z Fold 8 has already scored a million domestic pre-orders, that means the Z Fold 8 Ultra and Z Flip 8's combined total sits at under 400,000 units.
Are you surprised by the early popularity of the wide Z Fold 8?
168 Votes
Not at all, that shape is the future.
62.5%
No, because the device is cheaper than the Ultra.
5.36%
No, because its specs are just right.
11.31%
Yes, I'm a little surprised.
14.88%
Yes, I never expected these kinds of numbers from it.
5.95%
That's not a very promising sign for the future of the clamshell-style Galaxy Z Flip line, but for the time being, Samsung is likely to focus on the positives here, like the fact that the non-Ultra Galaxy Z Fold 8 has just about matched the Z Fold 7 and Z Flip 7's combined pre-order tally in South Korea by itself.
The company is also undoubtedly enjoying the immense popularity of the Z Fold 8 and Z Fold 8 Ultra among younger demographics than their predecessors and especially young women. Those were the groups that used to prefer Z Flip-series devices, but that's apparently no longer the case, allowing Samsung to derive bigger profits from the sales of costlier Z Fold products.
Still, one or two countries don't make a true global blockbuster, so it remains to be seen what numbers (if any) Samsung will confirm in the US, UK, or the old continent as a whole by the end of the Z Fold 8, Z Fold 8 Ultra, and Z Flip 8's pre-order period on Friday, August 7.
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Adrian, a mobile technology enthusiast since the Nokia 3310 era, has been a dynamic presence in the tech journalism field, contributing to Android Authority, Digital Trends, and Pocketnow before joining PhoneArena in 2018. His expertise spans across various platforms, with a particular fondness for the diversity of the Android ecosystem. Despite the challenges of balancing full-time parenthood with his work, Adrian's passion for tech trends, running, and movies keeps him energized. His commitment to mid-range smartphones has led to an eclectic collection of devices, saved from personal bankruptcy by his preference for 'adequate' over 'overpriced'.
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