I could probably also argue in favor of Google's Pixel 11 Pro Fold as well on the exact same strengths, but at the same time, the non-Ultra Z Fold 8's global impact cannot be denied or overstated. Not after the breaking of all of those pre-order records for Samsung's foldable lineup several weeks back, and perhaps even more significantly, a new report that offers a surprising (again, to me) peek behind the Galaxy Z Fold 8's production curtain.
But this report raises a very important question for the foldable market's future.
Yes, I still expect the iPhone Ultra to be a hit... this year or the next. | Image by fpt on YouTube
And even if that happens and Apple's first foldable doesn't manage to ship in more than a couple million copies by Christmas, the inevitable will merely be delayed until next year rather than the market's long-term fate being changed overnight.
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That's simply not how the mobile industry works, and you only need to take a quick look at the IDC's latest predictions to understand what I'm trying to say. "By 2027", Apple is expected to sell more than 17 million foldable iPhones around the world, which should be enough to give the newcomer the lead over veterans Samsung and Huawei with roughly 40 percent market share.
What is your number one foldable option this year?
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This forward-looking report was published more than a month after the Galaxy Z Fold 8's announcement, mind you, and I'm pretty sure it took into account both the unexpected early popularity of Samsung's wide book-style foldable and the iPhone Ultra's heavily rumored production snags.
I actually think Apple should be delighted instead of worried
I know, I know, it sounds inconceivable that a tech industry heavyweight could ever be happy for a rival's success, but given the many expected similarities between the Galaxy Z Fold 8 and iPhone Ultra's designs and form factors, I believe Apple should be encouraged by what looks like a major paradigm shift in the making.
If anything, the Z Fold 8's success is a good sign for the iPhone Ultra's prospects. | Image by fpt on YouTube
Yes, it would have obviously been even better for Apple if the wide trend started with the iPhone Ultra rather than the Z Fold 8, but no one is going to remember (or care) who was first (by a few weeks) in one or two years, when flip-style handsets are likely to be dead and "conventional" book-style foldables like the Z Fold 8 Ultra will probably be considered a small niche with little to no potential for growth.
Now let's imagine for a second that the Galaxy Z Fold 8 never got off to this incredibly strong start at the global box-office and that the Galaxy Z Flip 8, for instance, was the surprise hit of Samsung's 2026 foldable trio. Now that would have been a much more problematic scenario for Apple, as it would suggest the Cupertino-based tech giant gambled on the wrong horse.
If you're excited about the iPhone Ultra, be sure to read these rumors and news stories:
So where are all these early Galaxy Z Fold 8 adopters coming from?
I obviously can't answer that question confidently and accurately without conducting a scientifically reliable study, but I really don't think (m)any people who were seriously considering waiting for the iPhone Ultra switched sides at the last moment and purchased the Z Fold 8 instead.
I still remember a hilarious survey from 2023 where Apple ranked as the number two preferred foldable brand in the US with 39 percent of votes, only exceeded (narrowly) by Samsung at 46 percent. Yes, in 2023! Do you honestly believe that all those hardcore Apple fans decided to embrace Samsung all of a sudden just because the Galaxy Z Fold 8 looks radically different from the Z Fold 7 and much more similar to how the iPhone Ultra is expected to look?
The Galaxy Z Fold 8 is probably exceptionally popular among long-time Samsung fans. | Image by PhoneArena
Or do you think it's more likely that Galaxy S24 Ultra and S25 Ultra owners decided to finally give a foldable a try instead of upgrading to the Galaxy S26 Ultra and chose the smaller and cheaper Z Fold 8 as it looks... more similar to a convenient and easy-to-maneuver phone?
Now, there are clearly no guarantees that the same will happen with, say, iPhone 16 Pro Max and 17 Pro Max owners, but because the Z Fold 8 is reportedly so popular, I think the iPhone Ultra is on its sure way to becoming a hit as well. That's because Apple, like all other smartphone manufacturers, is often influenced by general market trends and consumer preferences. You don't really think it was a coincidence, for instance, that the Galaxy S25 Edge and iPhone Air failed to connect with mainstream audiences in the space of just a few months last year, now, do you?
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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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