Is Apple’s iPhone Duo Accidentally Selling the Galaxy Z Fold 8?

Samsung was the first mainstream manufacturer to introduce a foldable smartphone when it launched the Galaxy Fold in 2019. Despite its nearly $2,000 price tag, that first model suffered from serious durability, software, and display issues, but Samsung managed to address those in the sequel. Over the past seven years, it’s become a dominant force in foldable smartphones.

We recently reported that Samsung welcomes the competition to the niche foldable market and is expediting plans to launch the $2,900 Galaxy Trifold 2 in mid-2027 in direct response to the iPhone Duo.

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Now, new information is shedding light on the logic behind Samsung’s decision. Although Apple finally has a foldable on the market, it appears Samsung is cashing in.

While the iPhone 18 Pro is now hitting store shelves right on the usual schedule, iPhone Duo pre-orders don’t open until October 16 and aren’t expected to arrive in customers’ hands (and in stores) until October 23.

Apple’s entry into the foldable phone segment definitely generated excitement with Apple loyalists. According to a report from the major South Korean outlet Maeil Business Newspaper (via Android Police), it seems the official announcement of the iPhone Duo is renewing interest in the foldable category overall. Since Duo’s announcement, Galaxy Z Fold 8 sales increased by about 10% from the week prior to last week’s “Surprise and Shine” event.

There are at least two plausible explanations for the sudden boost for Samsung — demand and pricing. The iPhone Duo isn’t available for at least another month, and it remains to be seen whether Apple can satisfy the amount of orders in a reasonable time period.

Meanwhile, the Galaxy Z Fold 8 is available now, not only online, but also in carrier and other retail stores. If shoppers are suddenly interested in a foldable phone, prefer instant gratification, and want to test the waters at a more affordable price, they’re likely turning to Samsung.

In the US, the iPhone Duo starts at $1,999 — $800 more than the iPhone 18 Pro. In the US, a Galaxy Z Fold 8 is about $100 less than the Duo. However, in South Korea, the gap is significantly wider. The Galaxy Z Fold 8 is the equivalent of about $725 less than the Duo’s 3.29 million won starting price in South Korea. That’s about 20% higher for a Duo in South Korea than in the US.

Apple executives likely aren’t losing sleep over this, although it does make for a bit of an odd debut. Nudging undecided buyers towards the competition likely wasn’t part of the plan. Or was it? Apple is blowing away the competition in smartphone market sales. More people interested in foldable iPhones means more potential Apple customers.