That's because Apple finally decided to throw its hat in the foldable ring last Wednesday, lifting the wraps off an undeniably beautiful and competitively priced iPhone Duo that most reputable analytics firms agree is likely to ship in 5 or 6 million copies this year alone.
But as it turns out, that sales result may not necessarily come at the Z Fold 8's expense, at least based on the latest word regarding the demand for Samsung's direct iPhone Duo rival in one especially Samsung-friendly region.
The Galaxy Z Fold 8 continues to sell like hotcakes
... and said cakes are reportedly only getting hotter. That's right, Samsung apparently managed to boost the Z Fold 8's sales figures "during the week following the iPhone Duo's reveal" compared to the previous week, and although we're obviously not talking about a massive improvement here, this is quite an achievement that says a lot about the appeal of the two new foldable devices.
It's pretty easy to understand why the Galaxy Z Fold 8 remains so incredibly popular. | Image by PhoneArena
Of course, it's extremely important to point out that the 10 percent week-over-week progress came in South Korea, which just so happens to be Samsung's homeland and one of the world's very few major smartphone markets where Apple didn't have the most popular or the second most popular handset model in Q2 2026.
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Perhaps even more importantly, the iPhone Duo isn't priced very competitively around those parts, starting at 3.29 million won ($2,382) while the most affordable local Galaxy Z Fold 8 variant costs KRW 2.28 million ($1,650).
Will the Z Fold 8 fend off the iPhone Duo in other countries as well?
That's not completely out of the question, but it continues to seem unlikely, especially in markets like the US, where the iPhone Duo starts at $1,999 and the non-Ultra Galaxy Z Fold 8 (normally) costs $1,899.99 and up.
Will the iPhone Duo and Galaxy Z Fold 8 be similarly successful?
6 Votes
But the Z Fold 8's unexpected jump in domestic sales following the iPhone Duo announcement isn't solely attributed to the huge regional price difference between the two devices. Another big reason why many people who waited for both products to be unveiled before making a buying decision are believed to have ultimately opted for the Galaxy Z Fold 8 in the last week or so is the iPhone Duo's actual release schedule.
That's identical in South Korea and the US (as well as dozens of other countries), so it's definitely possible that Samsung will manage to keep its global foldable sales steady and strong over the next month or so, especially if those hefty Z Fold 8 discounts also stick around or somehow get even heftier.
There's plenty of room in the market for two hits... or more
Before you start calling the iPhone Duo a flop in the making, you should consider the possibility that both Apple and Samsung will thrive in terms of worldwide foldable shipments this year.
The iPhone Duo is obviously still likely to become a big hit too... eventually. | Image by Apple
The Galaxy Z Fold 8, remember, also has the Z Fold 8 Ultra and Z Flip 8 in its corner, and together, the three new Samsung foldables are widely predicted to retain their maker's global crown this year. Next year is a different affair, but maybe the iPhone Duo won't be able to shake off its competitors quite as easily as many of you seem to think.
Here's more on the iPhone Duo and Galaxy Z Fold 8:
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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