The iPhone Duo Has Arrived, but Galaxy Z Fold8 Sales Rise 10% Instead

[Financial News] Domestic sales of Samsung Electronics’ Galaxy Z Fold8 have increased since Apple unveiled its first foldable smartphone, the iPhone Duo. The rise is being attributed to growing interest in foldable smartphones following Apple’s entry into the market.
Some observers say that consumers who had postponed their purchases while waiting for the iPhone Duo switched to the Galaxy Z Fold8 after the product was unveiled.
According to the telecommunications industry on the 17th, domestic sales of the Galaxy Z Fold8 rose by approximately 10% in the week following the iPhone Duo’s unveiling on the 10th, compared with the previous week. Industry officials believe that some consumers who had been waiting to see Apple’s first foldable product before deciding what to buy chose the Galaxy Z Fold8.

The remaining time before the iPhone Duo’s domestic launch also appears to have played a role. The iPhone Duo is scheduled to launch in South Korea between late October and early November, meaning consumers will have to wait more than a month after its unveiling to receive the actual product. By contrast, the Galaxy Z Fold8 is already on sale in South Korea.
The two products differ significantly in price. The official retail price of the 256GB iPhone Duo is KRW 3.29 million. That is KRW 1,011,900 more than the KRW 2,278,100 price of the 256GB Galaxy Z Fold8. The top-end 2TB iPhone Duo is priced at KRW 5.09 million.
The price gap is particularly pronounced in South Korea compared with the United States. In the United States, the difference between the iPhone Duo and the 256GB Galaxy Z Fold8 is approximately $100, while in South Korea it exceeds KRW 1 million. Online communities and social media have consequently seen comments that consumers should consider both the first-generation product’s level of refinement and its price, as well as remarks from people saying they will wait for real-world reviews before buying.
Portability, including weight and thickness, has also emerged as a point of comparison. The iPhone Duo weighs 254 g and measures 11.3 mm thick when folded. It is 53 g heavier and 0.7 mm thicker when folded than the Galaxy Z Fold8.
The two devices also differ in how they use their large displays. The iPhone Duo supports split-screen multitasking with two apps running simultaneously. The Galaxy Z Fold8 can display up to three apps at once and supports window resizing and switching to pop-up windows. For users who search, work on documents, and use messaging apps simultaneously, these differences in multitasking may influence their choice of device.
Competition is also expected to continue in artificial intelligence (AI) features. Samsung Electronics has equipped the Galaxy Z Fold8 with Galaxy AI features such as My Fancam, Photo Assist, and Now Nudge. Apple has also promoted its new Siri AI, but Korean-language support is expected in October.

Industry officials believe Apple’s entry into the market will become a new variable for Samsung Electronics as well. Apple has joined the market seven years after Samsung Electronics introduced its first foldable smartphone in 2019, increasing interest in foldable smartphones. Rather than merely taking market share from Samsung Electronics, Apple’s first foldable launch appears, at least for now, to be expanding the foldable market itself while also stimulating comparison and purchase demand for existing Galaxy products.
The Galaxy Z series previously recorded 1.44 million units in domestic preorders. With Galaxy Z Fold8 sales also rising after the iPhone Duo’s unveiling, the series appears to be maintaining its strong momentum.
Samsung Electronics has also launched marketing aimed at Apple’s entry into the foldable market. It recently ran an outdoor advertising campaign titled “Welcome to Foldable” in major areas such as Gwanghwamun and COEX, highlighting its accumulated experience with foldable products.
Samsung Electronics is also promoting features aimed at encouraging existing iPhone users to switch to Galaxy devices. Smart Switch, which transfers data between devices, and Quick Share, which supports AirDrop compatibility, are helping reduce the inconvenience of moving to Galaxy.

[email protected] Yoon Hong-jip Reporter