Galaxy Z Fold 8, Z Flip 8 early pre-order numbers reveal the most boring plot twist

By Polina Kovalakova

Published: Jul 29, 2026, 7:56 AM

Samsung Galaxy Z Series

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Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra folded and unfolded on a white table.

Samsung is already shattering its own records. | Image by PhoneArena

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Samsung unveiled its next-gen Galaxy Z devices less than a week ago. Despite the lack of a free storage upgrade perk in some markets, the Galaxy Z Flip 8, Z Fold 8 and Z Fold 8 Ultra have apparently reached incredible pre-order volumes over the first few days of the pre-order period.

In one particular market, the series is breaking records.

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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.

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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. 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

Yet another record-breaking release for Samsung

Samsung's latest foldables look absolutely stunning. | Image by PhoneArena

On July 29, Samsung Newsroom India shared in a press release that the Galaxy Z Fold 8 and Z Flip 8 have already hit a pre-order record. In just 72 hours after their announcement on July 22, the devices received 271,000 pre-orders.

Even more impressively, the tech giant claims it took the Galaxy Z Flip 7 and Z Fold 7 15 days to reach a similar volume of pre-orders in India last year. That's basically the entire pre-order window.

While Samsung didn't reveal how demand was split between the models, some industry insiders predict the brand's passport-style foldable may outsell the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra this year.

Will Apple be able to replicate this success with the iPhone Ultra?

Samsung's strategy appears to be working

So far, Samsung India is the only region to reveal specific pre-order numbers, but the early signs suggest the new foldables are building on the momentum of last year's record-breaking launch.

If the early momentum continues, the Galaxy Z Fold 8 and Z Flip 8 could eventually outperform their predecessors in several markets.

Sure, it's still too early to draw conclusions from pre-orders alone. But by the looks of it, Samsung's latest foldables are off to a strong start.

This couldn't have come at a better time for Samsung, too. Apple is soon expected to release its first-ever foldable phone, so the Galaxy Z Fold 8 will have to face a direct competitor.

But according to industry insiders, Apple will shake up Samsung's dominance this year, not overthrow it.

Counterpoint Research's latest report from July 21, 2026, explains the tech giant's market share will decline in 2026 due to the newly introduced Apple competition. Despite that, the company is projected to reach 32% of the total foldable market.

The future of foldables

Samsung is expected to remain a king of the foldable space this year. | Image by Counterpoint Research

Bringing a wider form-factor foldable to the mainstream space in the same year Apple enters the foldable race is a bold move. But it could ultimately be what pushes the industry forward.

By embracing the new design directions early, Samsung gives everyday users more choices while preparing to stay competitive in an ever-changing market.

One detail changes everything

Isn't this the perfect form factor? | Image by PhoneArena

While I was starting to feel that each summer Unpacked event was becoming a rinse-and-repeat version of what we've seen before, the arrival of the Galaxy Z Fold 8 has changed my perspective.

Samsung finally brought something genuinely fresh to the table, giving fans a new form factor option to get excited about just as Apple prepares to enter the foldable market.

Let's just see whether this new approach has the right recipe for success when it comes to competing against Apple on the foldable front.

And in case you're looking for more foldable news:

Read more about the pre-order volumes of Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold 7, Z Flip 7, and Z Flip 7 FE
Check out our first impressions of the Galaxy Z Fold 8
You might want to learn more about the iPhone Ultra's reported shipping delays

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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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