Galaxy Z Fold 8 Sales Rise in Korea After Apple Unveils First Foldable iPhone

Samsung Electronics’ Galaxy Z Fold 8 sales in South Korea increased after Apple unveiled its first foldable smartphone, offering an early indication of how the new competition may be influencing the premium mobile market.

Domestic sales of the Galaxy Z Fold 8 rose by about 10 percent in the week following the iPhone Duo’s unveiling compared with the previous week, according to telecommunications industry data. The increase suggests that Apple’s entry into foldable phones did not immediately divert all prospective buyers away from Samsung. Instead, some consumers who had postponed a purchase while waiting to see Apple’s product appear to have chosen Samsung’s model after comparing the two devices.

Price is emerging as a significant point of difference in South Korea. Apple’s 256-gigabyte iPhone Duo is priced at 3.29 million won, or about $2,380, while Samsung’s 256GB Galaxy Z Fold 8 costs 2.28 million won. That leaves a gap of more than 1 million won between the base-storage versions in the Korean market. Apple’s top 2-terabyte iPhone Duo carries a price of 5.09 million won.

The domestic gap is notably wider than in the United States, where the 256GB versions of the two foldable phones differ by about $100. Hardware specifications were also among the considerations affecting purchasing decisions, industry sources said.

The sales movement is commercially important for Samsung because Apple’s launch brings a major new rival into a category the Korean company has spent years developing. The first week-on-week increase does not establish a long-term market trend, and the figures cover only South Korea, but it shows how a high-profile competitor’s debut can also prompt delayed shoppers to make decisions.

For consumers, the comparison is not simply between two brands. The unusually large Korean price difference means buyers must weigh storage, specifications and their preferred device ecosystem against a premium of more than 1 million won for Apple’s entry model. For Samsung, that pricing structure may provide a near-term advantage at home even as Apple’s arrival broadens awareness of foldable devices.

Longer-term performance will depend on whether the initial buying pattern continues after launch interest settles. For now, the early data indicates that Samsung has gained a short-term sales lift rather than suffering an immediate decline following Apple’s move into the foldable segment.