"Foldable Phones Start at 3 Million Won"... Can the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Overcome Chipflation and Win the Market?

European Launch Price Expected to Rise by at Least 100 Euros
Focus on Competition with Apple Amid Concerns Over Weakening Consumer Demand

As the launch price of Samsung Electronics’ upcoming 'Galaxy Z Fold 8', set to be unveiled in London, UK on July 22 (local time), is expected to start in the 3 million won range, the rise in memory costs (chipflation) has emerged as a variable that could affect its popularity.

'Galaxy Unpacked 2026 Invitation'. Provided by Samsung Electronics

On July 10, Samsung Electronics announced that it is conducting a final review of country-specific launch prices ahead of the new product reveal in London. According to the German tech magazine WinFuture, the European launch price of the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra 256GB model will be 2,199 euros (approximately 3.79 million won), which is 100 euros higher than the previous model. The 512GB model is priced at 2,399 euros (about 4.14 million won), and the 1TB model is set at 2,799 euros (about 4.83 million won), well exceeding the 4 million won mark.

The 'Wide Fold', a passport-shaped Galaxy Z Fold 8 with a wider horizontal design, is also reported to have a 256GB model priced at 1,999 euros (about 3.44 million won). The 512GB version is set at 2,199 euros, and the 1TB version at 2,599 euros (about 4.48 million won), respectively. Since WinFuture obtained this data from local distributors’ databases, it is widely perceived that the new product's launch price will inevitably rise by at least 100 euros compared to its predecessor.

The U.S. launch price of the Galaxy Z Fold 8 for the 256GB version is also expected to exceed $2,000 (about 3.01 million won), with $2,099 (about 3.16 million won) being a strong possibility. For the same storage capacity, the Wide Fold is reported to be priced at $1,899 (2.87 million won). The domestic launch price is also likely to exceed 3 million won for most models. Although prices differ by country due to factors such as exchange rates and value-added tax, a price increase for the new product is unavoidable worldwide because the impact of chipflation is a common phenomenon.

According to market research firm Counterpoint Research, as demand for artificial intelligence (AI) semiconductors surges, the share of memory costs in the manufacturing cost of $800 smartphones has risen from 14% in the first quarter of last year to 40% recently. For the same model, DRAM and NAND costs increased from $63 to $291 in the second quarter of this year, about a 4.6-fold jump.

The problem is that if the increase in component prices is fully reflected in the retail price, consumer sentiment may weaken. Since the performance of the Device Experience (DX) division, which is responsible for finished products like smartphones, is expected to decline, the success of foldable smartphones is more important than ever for Samsung Electronics. Although the flagship 'Galaxy S26' series, launched earlier this year, continued its strong performance by surpassing 3 million units sold in a record 117 days domestically, it has not been able to offset the burden of rising costs.

Samsung Electronics also cannot ignore competition with Apple. Samsung’s introduction of a new form factor with a 4:3 aspect ratio when unfolded was prompted by reports that Apple is planning to release a new product with the same ratio. In this context, Apple is also expected to launch its foldable iPhone in Korea in the mid-3 million won range.

With unavoidable price increases and intensified competition over new form factors, both the market and consumers are closely watching how effective Samsung Electronics’ early launch of foldable phones will be. Counterpoint Research forecasts that this year’s global shipments of foldable smartphone panels will reach 27.5 million units, up 24% year-on-year. Samsung Electronics is expected to maintain its global No. 1 position with a 31% market share, closely followed by Apple at 29%. Roh Tae-moon, President and Head of the DX Division, recently unveiled the invitation to the 'Galaxy Unpacked 2026' event, emphasizing the importance of the 'combination of AI and foldables' and 'AI that knows me best'.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.