Samsung’s newest foldable smartphones — the Galaxy Z Fold8, Z Fold8 Ultra, and Z Flip8 — will be available worldwide starting tomorrow in 106 different markets. Anyone who missed the pre-order window has now lost the final opportunity, as in-store and online sales begin on the scheduled launch date.
All three Galaxy Z foldable models come with an included 6-month trial of Google AI Pro. This service package includes 5TB of cloud storage and is valued at $120. Meanwhile, Samsung will also begin selling the Galaxy Watch9 and Galaxy Watch Ultra2 in the same 106 markets. Both new smartwatches include two special offers — a 60-day Strava trial worth $24, and a 2-month iFIT membership worth $20 — providing added value for buyers.
Samsung has reported that pre-orders for the Galaxy Z8 series rose by a notable 30% globally when compared to the previous Z7 series. Some regions saw even higher growth, with Europe recording a 20% increase in pre-orders. South Korea broke its own pre-order record, and India experienced a significant rise in early sales of the new foldables.
Color choices also reveal interesting consumer preferences. Graphite was the most popular color for the Galaxy Z Fold8 and Z Fold8 Ultra, while Pink dominated the choices for the Galaxy Z Flip8. Younger customers, especially those aged 15-34, were drawn to the exclusive colors available only through Samsung.com. These included Pistachio for the Z Fold8, Green Shadow for the Z Fold8 Ultra, and Mint for the Z Flip8, all of which were popular among buyers.
For more details and hands-on reviews, readers can check out our Galaxy Z Fold8 and Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra reviews to learn about the new wide form factor and whether the “Ultra” designation is justified. There are also reviews of the Z Flip8 and the two new Galaxy Watches available for those interested in a deeper look at the hardware and software experience.
Samsung Electronics Co. highlighted that the Galaxy Z Fold8 and Z Fold8 Ultra are outpacing last year’s preorder numbers by 30%, with the wide, passport-shaped Fold8 making up nearly half of all preorders, according to the company. “It’s incredibly encouraging to see such strong early momentum for our new Galaxy Z series, driven by our new form factor,” Drew Blackard, senior vice president of mobile product management at Samsung Electronics America, told Bloomberg News. “We’re proud to see the category continue to grow.”
Samsung noted that buzz around the Fold8 seems to be drawing some customers away from its flip-style models, with more than three times as many Flip owners preordering a Fold8 or Fold8 Ultra compared with previous generations. The company is marketing the new design as better-suited for entertainment and reading e-books, among other advantages that come with the wider, shorter inner display. Samsung is hyping its preorder performance just weeks before the company will have to contend with formidable competition from Apple Inc., which will unveil its long-awaited folding iPhone in September. That device will have a similar shape to Samsung’s Fold8. Meanwhile, Alphabet Inc. plans to introduce its Pixel 11 Pro Fold on Aug. 12, though it will feature a taller, more narrow design in line with the Fold8 Ultra.