A quick history of pre-orders
The Galaxy Z8 trio has now surpassed previous records set by both the foldable and S-series models in South Korea. In the past, the Galaxy Note10 and Note10+ achieved 1.38 million pre-orders over an 11-day span, but this record remained unmatched for years. The Galaxy Z Fold8, along with the Z Fold8 Ultra and Z Flip8, broke that mark with 1.44 million units reserved in just seven days, from Wednesday to Monday, making it the first foldable lineup to outperform the S-series in pre-order numbers. Samsung also reported that global pre-orders for the Galaxy Z8 series increased by more than 30% over the previous generation, a clear sign of the growing mainstream appeal of foldable phones.
The Z Fold8 led the charge
The Galaxy Z Fold8 was the top-selling model in the Z8 lineup, accounting for 70% of the total pre-orders, up from 60% for the Z Fold7. The Fold8 saw especially strong appeal among buyers aged 30 and under and female consumers, who together made up half of all Z Fold8 pre-orders. In India, the Z8 trio generated 271,000 pre-orders in just three days, a number that took 15 days to reach for the 2025 Z foldables. This rapid uptake highlights the model's broad popularity and the new form factor's success. In the US, the regular Galaxy Z Fold 8 accounted for nearly half of all Z8 series preorders across carriers and retailers, with the Lavender model already sold out on the Samsung US online store. Demand has been so strong that the Fold 8 is expected to set a new US preorder record for Samsung foldables.
What changed in 2025
A major change in 2025 was the introduction of the Z Fold8’s wide foldable design, a feature Samsung had not previously incorporated into its foldable lineup. This shift marked a turning point, as foldables have traditionally lagged behind the flagship S-series in performance and sales. The Galaxy S26 generation, for example, set an S-series record with 1.35 million pre-orders over seven days earlier this year. However, the Z8 trio's success has shifted the balance, showing a growing consumer preference for the new foldable technology. The Galaxy Z Fold8, in particular, has redefined expectations for the series and is now seen as a strong contender in the premium smartphone market. The phone’s lighter weight (201g) and unconventional, squat design have contributed to its appeal. Samsung also noted that more than three times as many Galaxy Z Flip owners are upgrading to a Fold as in the previous generation, further demonstrating the foldables' broadening appeal. Around 25% of those who pre-ordered a Fold or Flip this year also picked up a Galaxy Watch to go with it. Powered by Alphabet Inc.'s Gemini artificial intelligence (AI), the new lineup is designed to cater to different user needs and lifestyles, while delivering more personalized AI features and experiences.