Apple’s Iphone Duo Backfired And Boosted Samsung’s Sales 10%

Apple finally announced its first foldable iPhone, the Duo, hoping to pull buyers away from Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold 8. However, early numbers out of Korea suggest the opposite happened: Samsung’s phone sales appear to have gone up, not down.

Samsung’s Sales Rose Right When They Were Supposed to Fall

Industry sources cited by Yonhap and Maeil Business News say Galaxy Z Fold 8 sales in South Korea rose about 10% in the week after Apple unveiled the iPhone Duo, compared with the week before. Analysts expected the opposite: shoppers holding off to see Apple’s phone first, then sales dipping once the Duo showed up. Instead, buyers who had been waiting appear to have picked Samsung anyway.

Price looks like the biggest reason why. In South Korea, the iPhone Duo costs about 1 million won more than the Galaxy Z Fold 8, a gap of roughly $700. In the US, that gap shrinks to around $100, but it’s still there. The iPhone Duo also doesn’t ship until October, while the Galaxy Z Fold 8 is already sitting on store shelves.

The Duo is also bulkier. It weighs 254 grams and measures roughly 5.2 millimeters thick, compared to 201 grams and 4.5 millimeters for the Galaxy Z Fold 8.

Apple’s Big Bet Hasn’t Paid Off Yet

Apple has reportedly gone all in on this new phone shape. Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman has said Apple believes the Duo could eventually become the most popular foldable on the market. So far, though, its home turf rival is the one seeing the bump. Research firm Counterpoint projects Samsung will hold about 38% of the foldable phone market by the end of 2026, with Apple, despite not shipping a single Duo yet, projected to land around 25%.

If you’re deciding between the two, know that the Galaxy Z Fold 8 is available right now, while the iPhone Duo won’t ship until October. If price and a thinner, lighter phone matter more to you than being first to try Apple’s take, it might be worth comparing both before you buy either one.

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