Samsung reported record-breaking pre-orders for its new foldable lineup, the Galaxy Z Fold8, Z Fold8 Ultra, and Z Flip8, ahead of their August 7 retail launch. The series surpassed previous foldable records by over 17%, driven largely by a new form-factor for the Z Fold8 and strong demand in Europe and Korea.
The numbers are in, and the appetite for foldables is growing. Samsung’s latest suite of devices didn’t just move the needle; they shattered previous benchmarks. While the company expanded its offering to three models this year—compared to two in the previous generation—the growth isn’t just a result of more options. The demand for the larger-screen “Fold” devices specifically has surged.
Z Fold8 and Fold8 Ultra Demand Jumps 70%
The most striking data point is the shift toward the larger devices. Pre-orders for the non-flip models, the Z Fold8 and Z Fold8 Ultra, have increased by 70% compared to Z Fold7 figures. This suggests a pivot in consumer behavior, as reporting from Mashable via Forbes indicates that three times as many Flip users are switching to the larger Fold phones than in previous generations.
This migration to the larger screens is likely tied to the pursuit of maximum productivity, which Samsung highlights as a key draw for the Fold series. The growth is global, with a 30% increase in pre-orders for the combined Fold8 and Flip8 series worldwide.
European Market Dominance and the New Form-Factor
In Europe, the new series outperformed all prior foldable records with a 17% increase. However, the real story in the region is the specific success of the Z Fold8. This model features a strikingly different shape from any previous Galaxy folder, a design direction previously signaled by TM Roh.
That design gamble paid off. The Z Fold8 alone accounts for more than 40% of all pre-orders in Europe. Samsung describes the device as a new benchmark in foldable phone innovation.
Pricing strategies also played a role in these totals. The Z Fold8 entered the market with a starting price $100 lower than the Z Fold7. Conversely, the high-end Z Fold8 Ultra is priced $100 more than the 256GB version of the Z Fold7, creating a wider spectrum of entry points for consumers.
Korean Records and Shipping Delays
The momentum is perhaps most visible in South Korea, where the new series broke all existing records. In just seven days, 1.44 million units were ordered. Analysis indicates that the Z Fold8 likely represents around one million of those orders, cementing its status as the primary driver of the launch.
This surge in interest has created immediate logistical friction. High performance in various markets has caused delivery dates to slip. Specifically, the pistachio color version has seen the longest wait times for customers in the U.K. and U.S., with some colors selling out entirely during the pre-order window.
- £100 off the Z Fold8 for U.K. customers using PayPal.
- An additional £100 discount via a special code (Z8).
- Trade-in discounts for selected smartphones.
- Six months of Google AI Pro.
As the devices officially hit store shelves today, August 7, the focus shifts from pre-order metrics to actual retail availability and whether the pistachio-colored units and other high-demand variants can be replenished quickly enough to meet the recorded demand.
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