According to the telecommunications industry on the 17th, domestic sales of the Galaxy Z Fold 8 reportedly increased by about 10% compared to the previous week during the week following Apple’s unveiling of the iPhone Duo in the early hours of the 10th. Apple’s entry into the market appears to be boosting interest in foldable smartphones overall, which is also impacting sales of existing models.
The price difference between the two devices in South Korea exceeds 1 million won. The manufacturer’s suggested retail price for the 256GB model of the iPhone Duo is 3.29 million won, which is 1.0119 million won more expensive than the Galaxy Z Fold 8 with the same storage capacity (2.2781 million won). The top-of-the-line 2TB model of the iPhone Duo is priced at 5.09 million won.
The domestic release schedule likely also influenced purchasing decisions. Pre-orders for the iPhone Duo in South Korea begin on the 16th of next month, with the device launching on the 23rd. This means consumers who want to use a foldable smartphone right away can opt for the Galaxy, which is already on sale.
Portability and how the large screen is utilized are also key points of comparison. The iPhone Duo weighs 254g, which is 53g heavier than the Galaxy Z Fold 8. When folded, it is 11.3mm thick, making it 1.6mm thicker than the Galaxy Z Fold 8.
There are also differences in multitasking capabilities. The iPhone Duo offers a split-screen feature that divides the screen into two sections for using apps. The Galaxy Z Fold 8 can display up to three apps on a single screen and supports window resizing and switching between pop-up windows.
SamsungElectronics has launched a marketing campaign highlighting its experience in the foldable market. It is currently running an outdoor advertising campaign titled “Welcome to Foldable” at major domestic and international locations, including Gwanghwamun and COEX in Seoul. The company is also promoting “Smart Switch,” a data transfer service designed to help existing iPhone users switch devices.
The global foldable smartphone market is also expected to accelerate its growth. Market research firm Counterpoint Research forecasts that cumulative global shipments of foldable smartphones will exceed 100 million units by the end of this year. It predicts that shipments next year will increase by 37% compared to this year, marking the highest growth rate since 2022.
Competition among manufacturers is also expected to intensify. Counterpoint predicts that SamsungElectronics will account for 38% of global foldable phone shipments this year, followed by Apple at 25% and Huawei at 22%.
Liz Li, a researcher at Counterpoint Research, commented on Apple’s first foldable phone, stating, “Supply is likely to be tight in the early stages,” and added, “Consequently, rather than sales and product deliveries occurring all at once across multiple countries, we will likely see a gradual expansion by market.”
