Sales of Samsung Electronics Co.’s Galaxy Z Fold8 surged about 10 percent in South Korea during the week following Apple Inc.’s unveiling of its first foldable iPhone, the Duo, as local consumers balked at the Apple device’s steep starting price of 3.29 million won.
Apple’s entry into the foldable smartphone market has triggered immediate consumer blowback in South Korea. New Apple CEO John Ternus held the new foldable iPhone Duo during Apple’s launch event at the Steve Jobs Theater in Cupertino, California, on Sept. 9.
Galaxy Z Fold8 Sales Surge 10 Percent After Apple Reveal
Domestic industry sources reported on Thursday that sales of the Galaxy Z Fold8 rose about 10 percent on a week-to-week basis following the iPhone Duo’s unveiling. According to industry sources on Thursday, domestic sales of the Galaxy Z Fold8 increased about 10 percent from the previous week following the iPhone Duo unveiling. Some consumers who had delayed purchases while waiting for Apple’s new product appear to have shifted to the Galaxy Z Fold8.
The timing heavily favored Samsung. While the Galaxy Z Fold8 is available now, the expected late October to early November launch of the iPhone Duo in Korea may also have prompted consumers looking to buy a foldable immediately to choose Samsung as noted by tech publication Gsmarena.
Price Gaps and Hardware Comparisons Drive Consumer Decisions
Price and hardware specifications heavily influenced consumer momentum in South Korea. The iPhone Duo starts at 3.29 million won ($2,370 or $2,385) for the base 256GB model in Korea, more than 1 million won above the Galaxy Z Fold8’s 2.28 million won. By comparison, the base model of the Galaxy Z Fold8 starts at 2.28 million won, creating a substantial price gap of 1.01 million won, or approximately about a million won less expensive. The new foldable iPhone Duo is displayed during Apple’s launch event at the Steve Jobs Theater in Cupertino, California, on Sept. 9.
In the United States, the price gap between the two base models sits at just $100, where the Z Fold8 retails for $1,900 and the iPhone Duo is priced at $2,000 (+5%). In Europe, the gap widens to €2,000 for the Samsung device and €2,300 for Apple’s foldable (+15%).
At the extreme end of the lineup, the 2TB variant of the iPhone Duo breaks new ground as the first smartphone to cross the 5 million won threshold, carrying a retail price of 5.09 million won.
Consumer Reactions and Hardware Trade-Offs
Online forums and customer commentary captured the mixture of admiration and hesitation surrounding Apple’s debut foldable. Several prospective buyers compared the device’s market positioning to luxury tier hardware.
“I think the position of the iPhone Duo is basically the Vision Pro of phones. The device is expensive. Repairs are expensive. AppleCare is expensive. And maintaining that nano-texture finish inside is a hassle. It’s really a phone for rich people.”
Online commenter, via Korea JoongAng Daily
Beyond the cost, hardware dimensions also separated the two competitors. The iPhone Duo weighs 254 grams and is 11.3 millimeters thick when folded, making it 53 grams heavier and 0.7 millimeters thicker than the Galaxy Z Fold8 (which measures 9.7 millimeters thick and 201 grams). In practical multitasking, for large-screen use, the iPhone Duo supports multitasking primarily with a two-way split screen, while the Galaxy Z Fold8 allows users to run up to three apps simultaneously in split-screen mode.
Global Launch Timelines and Regional Pricing Variations
Apple has said the handset will be available for preorder in 18 markets starting Oct. 16, including the United States, and will first arrive worldwide on Oct. 23. Korea’s retail price for the base model ranks a moderate seventh-cheapest, roughly on par with Singapore’s pricing and about a 20 percent premium over the U.S. price. That cost seems modest next to the most expensive market, Turkey, where the phone is priced at 229,999 lira ($4,725), a 136 percent markup over what the same model costs in the United States. Apple has never given a clear explanation for why its products are priced differently across markets. The company locks in local currency prices at launch, and the gap reflects a mix of duties, regulatory fees and other factors it doesn’t disclose. Currency movements also affect local pricing, particularly when a country’s currency weakens against the dollar.
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