Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold 8 is enjoying an unexpected sales boost, and it appears to be coming at the expense of Apple's first foldable. According to a report from The Korea Herald cited by 9to5Google, sales of the Galaxy Z Fold 8 in South Korea jumped by 20% between October 23 and October 29 — the exact week Apple's iPhone Duo began shipping.
The timing suggests that Apple's rocky launch has pushed some potential buyers toward Samsung's more established foldable. The iPhone Duo's debut has been marred by reports of broken inner displays, a manufacturing issue dubbed "crackgate," and criticism over unoptimized apps. Samsung has wasted no time capitalizing on the moment, extending its promotional campaigns to keep the momentum going.
Galaxy Z Fold 8 vs iPhone Duo: what's driving the shift
The reasons behind the sales spike are still open to interpretation, but a few factors stand out. The Galaxy Z Fold 8 is considerably more affordable than the iPhone Duo, particularly in South Korea, and Samsung's foldable benefits from years of refinement and a more mature app ecosystem.
Meanwhile, Apple's first attempt at the form factor has been dogged by quality control complaints. A number of iPhone Duo buyers reported broken inner displays shortly after purchase, which Apple reportedly attributed to a manufacturing error. That controversy, combined with the usual first-generation growing pains, has given Samsung a clear opening.
- Galaxy Z Fold 8 sales in South Korea rose 20% week-over-week (Oct 23–29).
- The iPhone Duo launched on October 23 with reports of display defects and app optimization issues.
- Samsung's foldable starts at $1,599, undercutting the iPhone Duo, especially in Korea.
