A last-minute Galaxy Z Fold 8 leak may be the last thing you want to hear before Galaxy Unpacked

By Polina Kovalakova

Published: Jul 22, 2026, 6:01 AM

Samsung

Galaxy Z Series

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Different colors of the Galaxy Z Fold 7, placed on a table and showing the rear camera module.

Galaxy Z Fold 7 for illustrative purposes. | Image by PhoneArena

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The Galaxy Unpacked event begins in just a few hours, and the tech world has its eyes firmly fixed on Samsung. Soon, we’ll find out what makes the next generation of foldable phones worth the upgrade.

But it seems we don’t have to wait for the big reveal to uncover one of the most disappointing changes for early adopters.

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Trade in an eligible device and save up to $1,000 on the new foldable phone from Samsung. With its refined design and large cover screen, the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra is a top pick for foldable phone fans. Alternatively, you can get a $200 Samsung credit if you don't trade in a device.

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The Galaxy Z Flip 8 is now available at the official store. It features an improved build and offers a fantastic foldable experience. Buy yours and save up to $400 at Samsung with a trade-in. Alternatively, you can get the phone with a $100 Samsung credit, no trade-in required.

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Samsung bids farewell to its best pre-order perk

There may be no more free storage upgrades, at least in some markets. | Image by Notebookcheck

The Galaxy Unpacked event kicks off at 9AM EDT (6AM PDT) on July 22, and anyone who has already reserved Samsung's upcoming foldables may be hoping to secure one of the company's most generous launch perks: a free storage upgrade.

However, we've been hearing conflicting reports over the past week, with some insiders claiming Samsung will now cover only half of the storage upgrade cost, leaving customers to pay the remaining difference.

Now, newly leaked pre-order discounts from Samsung Austria suggest this may be exactly the policy the South Korean tech giant follows this year. As the above image shows, Samsung Austria is giving users up to €200 off larger storage configurations, carefully omitting any mentions of free storage upgrades.

While this leaked offer is currently limited to the Austrian market, it may not be an isolated change. Some of the earlier reports on the subject come from South Korea, suggesting that Samsung may adopt the same approach for other regions this year.

How important was the free storage upgrade incentive to you?

39 Votes

It was one of the main reasons I would pre-order

38.46%

I've always valued trade-in discounts more

12.82%

I never buy during the pre-order period

15.38%

It was a nice bonus, not the deciding factor

33.33%

A broader look reveals why

For years, Samsung has offered early buyers several ways to save on flagships, and the free storage upgrade was one of the most popular perks. It allowed users to get a higher-storage model at no additional cost. For instance, users could get the 512GB Galaxy Z Fold 7 at the price of the 256GB model, which effectively saved them $120.

Now, with this change, shoppers will no longer enjoy this benefit.

This decision may seem like a move that could inadvertently push users away, but there’s more to it. In 2026, the industry is in turmoil, with memory and component costs rising significantly.

As key components are becoming more expensive than ever, Samsung is likely looking for ways to keep profit margins high while keeping the incentive for users to adopt its latest devices during the launch period.

What the final price could look like

The Z Fold 7 may be the brand's last book-like foldable to come with a free storage upgrade. | Image by PhoneArena

As the latest rumors suggest, the entire lineup could launch at around $100 higher prices this year. If those reports are accurate and Samsung Austria’s pre-order strategy is adopted in other regions, buying a Galaxy Z Fold 8 during the pre-order window could end up costing more than in previous years.

Meanwhile, Samsung US promises savings of up to $1,230 (including a $30 reservation gift), showing that the launch offers may still provide significant value for early adopters. Still, it remains to be seen how Samsung will structure these savings.

Well, it's over.

This is what the book-like foldables might look like. | Image by Android Headlines

After years of free storage upgrade perks, it may be time to look ahead. Everything points toward the end of an era in Samsung’s launch offers (at least in some markets). But is everything as bad as it seems? I wouldn't say that.

From what we’ve learned over the past few months, the upcoming foldable phones will likely bring several meaningful improvements. And while losing the free storage upgrade does seem disappointing, the Galaxy Z Fold 8 and Galaxy Z Flip 8 could still have plenty to offer for early adopters.

And in case you want to learn more about Galaxy Unpacked:

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Polina Kovalakova, a News and Affiliate Content Writer, has nurtured a passion for mobile technology since the era before smartphones. With a history of exploring a variety of devices, her insights into the mobile world are both broad and nuanced. Polina's non-partisan view extends to appreciating nearly every smartphone brand, a reflection of her open-minded approach to technology. Polina is equally passionate about uncovering the best online deals, tirelessly working to ensure her readers snag top-tier tech at unbeatable prices.

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