Sales of the Galaxy Z Fold8 in South Korea have surged by about 10% within a week after Apple unveiled its iPhone Duo. This increase comes amidst significant price differences between the two foldable smartphones. The introduction of the iPhone Duo has not only attracted attention towards Apple but has also led to notable developments in the foldable phone market in South Korea.

According to The Korea Times, the sales boost for the Galaxy Z Fold8 can be attributed, in part, to customers who had previously delayed their purchase decisions in anticipation of Apple's first foldable device. Following the announcement of the iPhone Duo, some of these consumers reportedly opted for the Galaxy Z Fold8 instead. However, the report did not specify the exact number of devices sold.

The 10% increase reflects only a short-term fluctuation in the South Korean market and is not yet sufficient to indicate a long-term trend for foldable smartphones. Industry sources cited by The Korea Times suggest that pricing and hardware specifications significantly influence purchasing decisions among South Korean consumers. In this market, the 256GB version of the iPhone Duo is priced at 3.29 million won, approximately 61 million VND, while the Galaxy Z Fold8 with the same storage capacity is listed at 2.28 million won, around 42 million VND. This results in a price difference of over 1 million won, equivalent to about 19 million VND, making the iPhone Duo approximately 44% more expensive than the Galaxy Z Fold8.

As consumers opt for higher storage versions of the iPhone Duo, the price gap widens further. The 2TB version of the iPhone Duo is priced at 5.09 million won, around 94 million VND. Notably, the price difference between the two products in South Korea is significantly larger than in the U.S., where the 256GB versions of the iPhone Duo and Galaxy Z Fold8 only differ by about 100 USD, equivalent to 2.6 million VND.

This substantial price gap in South Korea makes pricing a critical factor for consumers weighing their options between these two premium foldable smartphones. The competition introduced by the iPhone Duo marks Apple's first entry into the foldable phone segment, where Samsung has developed multiple generations of its Galaxy Z Fold products. The arrival of a new competitor means that consumers interested in foldable phones now have more options and can directly compare design, software, specifications, and pricing before making a purchase.

The sales performance of the Galaxy Z Fold8 in the week following the iPhone Duo's introduction indicates that Apple's entry into the market has not immediately diminished demand for existing foldable devices. Conversely, the attention garnered by the iPhone Duo may also lead consumers to explore the entire foldable segment more thoroughly, considering various products available on the market.

However, it remains unclear how much of the increase in Galaxy Z Fold8 sales can be attributed to pricing, product specifications, or other factors. Insights regarding the group of customers who transitioned from waiting for the iPhone Duo to choosing the Galaxy Z Fold8 stem from industry sources rather than direct surveys of buyers. Current data is limited to South Korea, Samsung's home market, and therefore cannot be generalized to trends in other markets.

In the coming period, sales figures for both devices will provide additional insights into consumer reactions as Apple officially enters the foldable smartphone segment. For now, the approximately 10% increase in Galaxy Z Fold8 sales suggests that the launch of the iPhone Duo has created a noteworthy shift in South Korea, with the price difference between the two products likely influencing consumer choices.