Samsung has reported that pre-orders for the Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra, Galaxy Z Fold8 and Galaxy Z Flip8 are 30 per cent higher worldwide than for the equivalent models a year ago. The company has not published absolute figures for the global total, so the percentage stands on its own as a comparison with the seventh-generation devices rather than as a measure of scale.
The Indian numbers are more specific. Samsung says it took more than 271,000 pre-orders in the 72 hours following the launch on July 22. By its own account, the Galaxy Z Fold7 and Z Flip7 needed 15 days to reach a comparable figure last year. As with the global claim, the data comes from the company and has not been independently verified.
Graphite was the most-ordered colour for both Fold8 models globally, while Pink led on the Flip8.
The wider point Samsung is making with this generation is one of segmentation. Rather than a single foldable with a smaller sibling, the line-up now splits into three propositions.
The Galaxy Z Fold8 is the lighter of the two book-style devices at 201g, which Samsung says makes it the slimmest and lightest Fold it has produced. The display ratios have been reworked so that the cover screen handles messaging, browsing and short-form video, while the 4:3 inner display is pitched at reading, gaming and longer viewing. Samsung has introduced what it calls Flex Titanium, a structural change intended to keep the panel thin while reducing how visible the crease becomes with age — a claim about long-term wear that will only be testable over time. Gemini Notebook, which pulls notes, images, recordings and documents into a single workspace, is included.
The Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra extends the Ultra badge to foldables for the first time. It has an 8-inch main display, a 200MP main camera that now supports HDR capture, and a new 50MP ultra-wide that also handles macro. There is a 5,000mAh battery, 45W charging and a larger graphite cooling layer. Samsung puts the unfolded thickness at 4.1mm and the weight at 215g. Now Nudge, a software feature, suggests follow-up actions across supported apps based on what the user is doing.
The Galaxy Z Flip8 leans on its cover screen. The FlexWindow now carries apps, notifications and assistant functions directly, with Gemini accessible via the side key or by voice. Now Brief surfaces information based on the user’s calendar and habits. The camera is a 50MP unit paired with Samsung’s ProVisual Engine and the FlexCam angle features.
Dual Recording, which captures the front and rear cameras simultaneously, and My FanCam2, which tracks and reframes a chosen subject, are available across all three phones.
Alongside the hardware, Samsung has introduced a 30-month no-cost EMI option in India with no down payment, which it describes as an industry first. This is the more consequential announcement for the Indian market. Foldables remain a premium-priced category, and stretching repayment across two and a half years reduces the monthly outlay considerably — a Fold8 Ultra at Rs 1,99,999 works out to roughly Rs 6,667 a month over the full term.
Whether that constitutes better value or simply a longer commitment depends on the buyer. Extended interest-free schemes lower the visible barrier to entry without changing the total cost, and they lock the purchaser into a payment schedule that outlasts the typical upgrade cycle for a flagship phone. It is also a reasonable indicator that Samsung sees price, rather than interest, as the main obstacle to foldables moving beyond early adopters in India.
The Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra starts at Rs 1,99,999 and comes in Violet Shadow, Graphite, Cream and Green Shadow. The Galaxy Z Fold8 starts at Rs 1,79,999 in Lavender, Graphite, Cream and Pistachio. The Galaxy Z Flip8 starts at Rs 1,24,999 in Pink, Graphite, Cream and Mint.
All three are on sale through online and offline retail. The financing offer is available on Samsung.com, at Samsung Experience Stores and at participating retailers across India.
