Galaxy Z Fold8 Sales in South Korea Surge Over 20% Following iPhone Duo Launch - Thairath English

The launch of the iPhone Duo, Apple's first foldable phone, may have benefited Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold8 by increasing its sales by around 20 percent.

A report from The Korea Herald, citing industry sources and telecommunications data from South Korea, revealed that Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold8 sales in South Korea rose over 20 percent during the week of 23-29 October 2026 compared to the previous week. This period coincided with the iPhone Duo's debut and reports of cracks appearing on its inner screen.

Previously, Galaxy Z Fold8 sales in South Korea had increased by about 10 percent week-over-week following Apple's iPhone Duo launch in September. However, this figure represented a short-term comparison within a single market and did not reflect global sales trends.

Apple acknowledged on 26 October that it was aware of internal screen issues affecting the iPhone Duo, confirming the problem involved only a small number of units. Later, Apple's new CEO John Ternus told Reuters on 2 November that the proportion of returned devices due to screen problems was very low. He also noted that iPhone Duo production still lags demand and it remains uncertain when supply will meet demand.

Apple has not disclosed the cause or exact number of affected iPhone Duo units. Meanwhile, iFixit, a smartphone repair specialist, estimated through 3D modeling that the damage clusters near the central hinge support, which may not move aside properly when folding the device.

The iPhone Duo and Galaxy Z Fold8 are both wide foldable phones with similar screen sizes: a 7.6-inch inner display, and outer screens measuring 5.4 inches and 5.5 inches respectively.

In Thailand, the iPhone Duo starts at 79,900 baht, while the Galaxy Z Fold8 launched at 61,900 baht, a difference of 18,000 baht. However, sales figures from Thailand are not yet available to indicate whether local consumer trends align with those in South Korea.