Samsung’s Galaxy Z foldable phones smash pre-order records in South Korea

Samsung’s latest generation of foldable smartphones has delivered its strongest endorsement yet that the once-experimental form factor is steadily moving into the mainstream.

The company’s newly launched Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra, Galaxy Z Fold 8 and Galaxy Z Flip 8 have collectively registered 1.44 million pre-orders in South Korea within seven days, surpassing the previous national record of 1.38 million units set by the Galaxy Note 10 in 2019. The milestone marks not only Samsung’s biggest domestic launch to date, but also underlines the growing consumer appetite for foldable devices.

Everyone wants to hold ’em, fold ’em…

Leading the charge is the Galaxy Z Fold 8, which accounts for nearly 70 percent of all pre-orders. Samsung attributes much of the demand to its redesigned form factor, including a more practical 4:3 aspect ratio, slimmer profile and refinements aimed at making the device feel closer to a conventional smartphone while retaining the versatility of a larger display.

Perhaps more telling is who is buying them. Around half of the customers placing orders through Samsung’s online store are teenagers and consumers in their twenties and early thirties, suggesting foldables are increasingly appealing to younger buyers who are often quicker to adopt new technology.

The shift is equally evident across South Korea’s telecom operators. According to carrier data, a majority of customers pre-ordering the new foldables are moving directly from traditional slab smartphones rather than upgrading from older foldable models. At SK Telecom alone, 62 percent of pre-orders came from users switching from conventional smartphones, indicating that foldables are no longer a niche purchase reserved for early adopters.

…but for some, they’re nowhere to be found 

The overwhelming response has also created logistical challenges. Delivery timelines for the Galaxy Z Fold 8 have reportedly slipped into October for some customers, while the Ultra variant is seeing delays ranging from a few days to around three weeks due to exceptionally strong demand. However, several international retailers continue to list the devices for on-time availability.

The record-breaking performance comes at a time when the foldable smartphone market is showing signs of maturing after years of gradual evolution. Early foldables were often criticised for their thickness, visible display creases, durability concerns and premium pricing. Over successive generations, manufacturers have addressed many of these shortcomings through stronger hinge mechanisms, brighter displays, improved battery life and increasingly slimmer designs.

Samsung has remained the undisputed leader in the category, but competition has intensified. Chinese manufacturers including Honor, Huawei, Oppo and Vivo have introduced lighter and thinner foldables, while Google and Motorola have expanded their own offerings, giving consumers more choice than ever before. As hardware has improved, software has also evolved, with multitasking features and artificial intelligence capabilities making better use of the larger displays.

Industry observers now believe the foldable segment could be approaching an inflection point.

All eyes on Apple

A major catalyst could come from Apple. Although the company has yet to officially announce a foldable iPhone, reports over the past year suggest it is preparing to enter the category, potentially as early as next year. Apple has historically waited for technologies to mature before entering new product segments, but its eventual arrival often expands the market rather than merely redistributing existing demand.

That is precisely why Samsung’s latest pre-order numbers matter. They suggest foldables are beginning to stand on their own merits, even before Apple joins the race. If consumer demand continues on its current trajectory, Apple’s entry could accelerate mainstream adoption in much the same way it did for smartwatches and premium wireless earbuds.

For now, Samsung’s latest launch offers perhaps the clearest indication yet that foldable smartphones are evolving from a premium curiosity into a serious alternative to traditional flagship devices. The category still represents a relatively small share of the overall smartphone market, but record-breaking demand suggests that its next phase of growth may already be underway.