We knew the Galaxy Z Fold 8 was breaking records and now Samsung shows the receipts

Samsung just put official numbers behind weeks of foldable pre-order chatter. It says Galaxy Z8 series pre-orders are up more than 30% globally over the last generation, and in the US, the wider and cheaper Galaxy Z Fold 8 is pulling nearly half of all pre-orders on its own, months before Apple's first foldable iPhone is expected.

Samsung is putting real numbers behind the foldable hype

The figures come straight from Samsung, so this is the company's own accounting. Here is what it reported for the first 12 days of US pre-orders:

• The Galaxy Z8 series is on pace for the highest Z series pre-order totals ever
• Galaxy Z Fold 8 and Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra are running 30% ahead of the previous record-holding Fold generation
• The Galaxy Z Fold 8 alone makes up nearly half of all pre-orders across carriers and retailers
• More than three times as many Flip owners are upgrading to a Fold compared to the last generation
• Nearly one in four buyers also pre-ordered one of the new Galaxy watches

Globally, Graphite was the most popular color for both Fold models, while Pink led on the Flip 8. Among Samsung.com buyers aged 15 to 34, the exclusive Green Shadow, Pistachio and Mint colors came out on top instead.

The cheaper passport model is carrying the whole lineup

I did not expect the wider, cheaper Fold 8 to outsell the Ultra, and yet it is the one whose hero Lavender color is already sold out on Samsung.com. At 201 g it is the lightest Z Fold Samsung has made, which likely matters more to a first-time foldable buyer than the Ultra's 8-inch screen does.

If you own a Galaxy Z Flip 7, you are apparently the person Samsung converted here, since Flip-to-Fold upgrades tripled. Fold 7 owners have less reason to move, though, and if you are waiting on Apple's foldable, this is the demand curve it has to walk into.

What to know before Friday

Pre-order the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra at $1,200 off

$899 ⁹⁹

$2099 ⁹⁹

$1200 off (57%)

Trade in an eligible device and save up to $1,200 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. You also get a $30 reservation gift and a $200 Samsung credit if you don't trade in a device.

Pre-order at Samsung

Pre-order the Galaxy Z Flip 8 for up to $600 off

$599 ⁹⁹

$1199 ⁹⁹

$600 off (50%)

The Galaxy Z Flip 8 is now available at the official store. It features an improved build and offers a fantastic foldable experience. Pre-order yours and save up to $600 at Samsung with a trade-in. Alternatively, you can get the phone with a $200 Samsung credit, no trade-in required.

Pre-order at Samsung

Nationwide availability starts Friday, August 7, through carriers, retailers, Samsung.com and Samsung Experience Stores. Pre-ordering before then still gets you up to $1,200 off with an eligible trade-in, or up to $200 in Samsung credit without one.

Every new Galaxy Z series buyer also gets a six-month Google AI Pro trial with 5 TB of storage, which Samsung values at $199.94. It is worth checking stock by color first, since the popular finishes are the ones going first in every market so far.

Why I think the smaller Fold won

Our Galaxy Z Fold 8 review found the cover screen software rough in places, so this is not a case of the better phone simply winning. I think it is more mundane than that: the Fold 8 is lighter, cheaper and shaped like something people already know how to hold, and that turns out to be worth more than a bigger inner display.

I am hoping Samsung reads it the same way and keeps making a non-Ultra foldable that is not just the leftovers of the flagship.

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