Galaxy Z8 pre-sales jump 30%, Fold8 model leads demand

Samsung Electronics' latest foldable smartphone series, the 'Galaxy Z8,' has achieved a significant boost in pre-sale orders, reportedly increasing by over 30% compared to the previous generation. The company noted a 39% rise in pre-sales in South Korea and over 20% in Europe, following the series' unveiling on July 22 and pre-order period ending August 3.

The demand surge is largely attributed to the 'Z Fold8,' a foldable model featuring an expanded horizontal screen, often dubbed the 'passport phone' due to its resemblance to a passport when folded. This model was particularly popular, making up approximately 70% of pre-sales in South Korea, 50% in the United States, and 40% in Europe. Samsung highlighted that over half of the domestic pre-orders were from customers aged 10 to 30, with female consumers in this age group doubling their purchases of the Fold8 compared to the previous model, challenging the perception of foldables as primarily for older men.

Furthermore, the Galaxy Z8 series is attracting users transitioning from conventional smartphones. Data from SK Telecom indicates that about 62% of pre-order customers were previously using standard smartphones, a 10 percentage point increase from the prior generation. Similarly, in the U.S., sales of the Fold8 or Fold8 Ultra among previous Flip model users more than tripled compared to the previous series.

Market research firm Counterpoint Research forecasts that the first-year shipments for the Z8 series will grow by double digits compared to the Z7 series and exceed Z6 series shipments by over 70%. However, the competitive landscape is expected to intensify with Apple's anticipated launch of its first foldable phone next month. The Z8 series includes three models: the 'Z Fold8,' the 'Z Fold8 Ultra' (similar in form factor to its predecessor), and the 'Z Flip8.'

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In domestic pre-sales, the 10-30 age group accounted for more than half of the total purchases on Samsung.com. In particular, purchases of the Fold8 by female consumers aged 10-30 more than doubled compared to the previous model, indicating a change in the perception that 'Fold is an old man's phone.'