Following Apple's iPhone Duo debut, Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold 8 has experienced a notable sales increase in South Korea. According to Korean industry sources, Galaxy Z Fold 8 sales rose by 10% week-on-week after the iPhone Duo unveiling on September 9. The increase appears to be driven by consumers adopting a "waiting and seeing" approach, as they wanted to evaluate pricing details and compare features before making their purchasing decisions. This trend shift demonstrates how Apple's market entry has created competitive dynamics that benefit established players in the foldable smartphone segment, with the substantial price gap between the two devices being a key factor in consumer decision-making.
The pricing differential has emerged as a critical factor in consumer decision-making. The Galaxy Z Fold 8 starts at approximately $1,550, while the iPhone Duo enters the market at a starting price of $1,999 in the US and roughly ₹2,390 in South Korea. This ₹84,000 price gap has pushed undecided buyers toward Samsung as a more practical financial choice for a premium foldable device. Market availability also gives Samsung an immediate advantage, as the Galaxy Z Fold 8 is currently available for purchase, while the iPhone Duo is scheduled for retail release on October 23. Consumers comparing the two devices are opting for the immediate availability and established physical profile of the Fold 8, with Samsung's lighter and thinner hardware design providing additional appeal.
Despite Samsung's early entry advantage, market research suggests a competitive landscape ahead. As reported by Business Standard, Counterpoint Research expects Samsung to account for 38% of global foldable smartphone shipments in 2026, while Apple, despite entering the segment only this month, is projected to capture 25% market share. Huawei could account for 22% of the market. Samsung launched its first Galaxy Fold in 2019 and is now on its 8th generation of foldable smartphones, providing a significant lead over Apple's recent entry. However, Apple's market entry is expected to significantly reshape the competitive landscape, with the company projected to capture 28% market share in 2026 according to Counterpoint Research. The competitive dynamics are further defined by pricing strategies that vary significantly by region, with the iPhone Duo starting at ₹2,99,900 compared to the Galaxy Z Fold8's ₹1,79,999 starting price.
Samsung's latest foldable devices feature significant technical improvements over their predecessors. The Galaxy Z Fold 8 introduces a new short and wide form factor when folded, with a main screen featuring a 4:3 aspect ratio that can fit widescreen videos better than most foldables' square displays. The device is thinner and lighter than its predecessor at 6.1mm unfolded and 13.1mm folded, compared to the Flip 7's 6.5mm and 13.7mm respectively. The Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra is even more advanced, featuring an 8-inch main display with 2256 x 2504 pixels resolution (up from 1968 x 2184 pixels) and a 50MP ultrawide sensor paired with a 200MP shooter. Both devices are powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chipset and feature 12GB RAM (or 16GB in some instances), with new silicon-carbon batteries providing 4,800mAh capacity for the Z Fold 8 and 5,000mAh for the Ultra.
Industry experts warn that using a larger competitor's popularity in advertising carries inherent risks. Dilip Cherian, image guru and co-founder of Perfect Relations, told Business Standard that "this is a risky strategy at all times." He noted that "the idea of trend jacking your bigger competitor is not for novices." The strategy works by leveraging Apple's existing media coverage and social media attention, allowing rivals to enter established conversations rather than relying solely on their own launch announcements. However, as GSMArena reports, the current campaign benefits from Samsung's established 7-year presence in foldable smartphones, providing a stronger product argument than previous campaigns that mocked individual Apple product decisions.
