Galaxy Z Fold8 Sales Rise 20% After iPhone Duo Issues

Galaxy Z Fold8 sales increased by more than 20% in a week after the iPhone Duo started shipping, a report from South Korea says.

That report attributes the surge to reports of spotty quality assurance and breaking displays that have scared off some potential iPhone Duo buyers and driven them toward Samsung. A similar effect appeared in September, the report notes, when Z Fold8 sales rose about 10% week-to-week after Apple unveiled the Duo and its price.

Samsung extends subscription period and trade-in incentives

Samsung is moving to capitalise on the momentum by extending the subscription period for the New AI Subscription Club by one month, until November. The programme lets customers trade in an old device and receive a new one every 1, 2 or 3 years.

Club members who purchase a Samsung foldable — Z Fold8, Z Fold8 Ultra or Z Flip8 — are guaranteed specific buy-back values: 50% for the 1-year plan, 40% for the 2-year plan (50% if the trade-in is a Flip), and 25% for the 3-year plan.

Returns can be completed without visiting a store by dropping the old phone at an automated Mintit ATM kiosk, and Samsung is offering a KRW 100,000 ($75) bonus to the trade-in value for customers who use the kiosk.

In addition to the subscription extension, Samsung is running a "Galaxy End of the Year Fiesta" promotion through December 31, with additional in-store shopping perks, the company says.

Sales are rising in Europe as well: combined sales of the Galaxy Z Fold8 and Z Fold8 Ultra outperformed the Z Fold7 by 45%, the report states.