Inside a Samsung store in Manhattan, a customer flips through a folded screen, checking its flex and responsiveness. The phone in his hands is the Galaxy Z Fold 8, but the excitement around the device has dimmed slightly for some buyers who noticed a missing benefit—no free storage upgrade at the start of pre-orders.
The missing 256GB boost
For previous Galaxy Z Fold models, customers could get a free storage upgrade from 256GB to 512GB during the pre-order window. But with the Galaxy Z Fold 8, that perk vanished. Instead, the 512GB model is $200 more expensive than the base version, returning to the standard post-pre-order pricing structure.
Reports from earlier in July predicted this move, and they proved accurate. While some later rumors suggested the 256GB model would still get a free bump, the 512GB option never received the same offer. The company has not confirmed whether this is due to supply constraints or a permanent change in strategy.
Trade-ins and PayPal code help offset the cost
Though the free storage upgrade is gone, Samsung improved its trade-in values for the first time in several years. Users trading in eligible devices like the Galaxy S26 Ultra or Z Fold 7 can receive up to $1,200. That cuts the base cost of the 256GB Z Fold 8 to $699, and an additional $100 discount using the code PAYPAL100 can bring it even lower.
For those choosing the 512GB model, the trade-in lowers the price to $899. That’s still more than last year’s starting price, but not significantly more than the reduced cost of the 256GB model.
Z Fold 8 Ultra remains the priciest
The most advanced model, the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra, starts at $2,099. It includes a third camera—missing on the standard Z Fold 8—making it more of a premium flagship.
Despite the removal of the free storage upgrade, Samsung still offers store credit for loyal customers, a feature that has been part of its marketing for years. The company also introduced new battery technology with silicon-carbon anodes, a first for foldables.