[Edaily Reporter Shin Yeong-bin ]

SamsungElectronics(005930)Samsung Electronics’ new foldable smartphone series, the “Galaxy Z8,” has shattered the all-time Galaxy smartphone pre-order record. What stands out is that the “Fold”—a large-screen model—has taken center stage in this success, rather than the “Flip,” which had previously driven the popularization of foldable phones. Analysts suggest that as smartphone usage patterns evolve in the era of generative artificial intelligence (AI), the center of gravity in the foldable market is also shifting.

According to SamsungElectronics on the 4th, domestic pre-sales of the Galaxy Z8 series (Fold 8 Ultra, Fold 8, and Flip 8), which ran from the 28th of last month to the 3rd of this month, totaled 1.44 million units. This marks the highest volume ever recorded for pre-sales of a Galaxy smartphone.

It surpassed not only the previous record held by the Galaxy Note 10 (1.38 million units in 2019) but also the Galaxy S26 series (1.35 million units), released earlier this year, and its predecessor, the Galaxy Z7 series (1.04 million units). In particular, sales increased by approximately 38.5% (400,000 units) compared to the previous foldable series.

The model driving this success is the Galaxy Z Fold8. According to KTCorporation, the Fold8 accounted for more than half of the pre-order volume, recording the highest preference among the three models. It is estimated that the Fold8 series also accounted for approximately 70% of SamsungElectronics’ total pre-sales.

In the past, the Flip held the dominant position in the foldable phone market. With its compact, pocket-friendly size and distinctive design, it gained popularity, particularly among younger consumers, and led the way in making foldable phones mainstream. However, the landscape has changed this time around. The Fold, which offers a large screen nearly the size of a tablet when unfolded, has emerged as a new choice in the premium smartphone market.

Industry experts attribute the Fold’s popularity not simply to its larger screen size, but to the “combination of AI and productivity.” As generative AI has established itself as a core feature in smartphone competition, demand is growing for devices capable of handling various tasks simultaneously—such as searching, translating, document creation, and image editing.

The Fold form factor is considered more versatile than standard smartphones because it allows users to utilize multiple applications and AI features simultaneously on its large screen. The rise in consumption of large-screen content—such as short-form videos, webtoons, OTT services, and games—is also cited as a factor driving demand for the Fold.

The Galaxy Z Fold 8 improves portability by reducing thickness and weight, and addresses usability issues—previously cited as a weakness of the Fold series—by adjusting the screen aspect ratio. Its key strength lies in the ability to function like a standard smartphone when folded, while providing a wider workspace when unfolded.

The customer base is also changing. Among pre-order customers on Samsung.com, those in their teens through 30s accounted for about half of the total, and the number of female customers choosing the Fold 8 more than doubled compared to the previous model. This indicates that the Fold series—previously perceived as a business-oriented or enthusiast product centered on Nsamngs in their 40s and 50s—is expanding its appeal to include younger and female customers, establishing itself as a premium smartphone option.

Initial reactions are also pouring in from overseas markets. At Samsung’s official online store in Japan, some Fold 8 models sold out during the pre-order period, and on Samsung.com in the U.S., delivery schedules for popular models have been delayed.

In the Indian market, the Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra, Fold8, and Flip8 recorded over 271,000 pre-orders within 72 hours of their unveiling. Compared to the previous model, which took 15 days to achieve similar sales figures, the sales pace has accelerated significantly. In particular, since 45% of pre-orders came from medium-sized and small cities rather than major metropolitan areas, analysts suggest that demand for premium foldables is expanding across the country.

However, it remains to be seen whether this pre-sale enthusiasm will translate into sustained long-term success. Some point out that the figures reflect the impact of early-bird promotions—such as storage capacity upgrades—and that it is too early to judge overall demand based solely on sell-outs in certain countries.

Competition in the global foldable market is intensifying. While SamsungElectronics has secured an early lead, Chinese manufacturers such as Huawei, Oppo, and Xiaomi are closing in by leveraging diverse form factors and price competitiveness. With speculation mounting about the possibility of Apple launching a foldable phone, the race for dominance in the premium foldable market is expected to become even more intense.

Ultimately, the success of the Galaxy Z8 series goes beyond mere sales records for a new product; it demonstrates the potential for a shift in the role of foldable phones. As smartphones evolve from simple communication devices into tools for AI utilization, all eyes are on whether foldables—with their large screens and productivity features—can establish themselves as the central pillar of the new smartphone market.

SamsungElectronics plans to roll out the Galaxy Z8 series sequentially in approximately 100 countries worldwide, including South Korea, starting on the 7th.