Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold 7 surpasses the Galaxy Flip in sales within the Korean market
In a surprising turn of events, Samsung's latest foldable device, the Galaxy Z Fold 7, is leading the charge in pre-orders, surpassing the popularity of its clamshell counterpart, the Galaxy Z Flip 7. This shift in buyer preferences marks a significant change from previous years, where the Galaxy Z Flip had a dominant position in pre-orders and sales.
The Galaxy Z Fold 7's success can be attributed to a combination of factors, including a major design overhaul and premium features. The device boasts a sleek, book-style design that makes it one of the slimmest foldables available in the market, setting it apart from its competitors.
Last year, the Galaxy Z Flip 6 accounted for 60% of pre-orders, while the Galaxy Z Fold 6 had 40%. However, this year, the tables have turned, with the Fold 7 accounting for 60% of pre-orders, while the Flip 7 has 40%. This trend is not limited to the U.S., as the Galaxy Z Fold 7 is currently outpacing the Galaxy Z Flip 7 in pre-orders in South Korea, a first for the series.
The design improvements in the Galaxy Z Fold 7 may potentially make people reconsider their preference for other foldables. In the past, Samsung's book-style foldables have lagged behind some Chinese competitors in design innovation. However, the Fold 7 stands out as a strong option for potential buyers, despite its high asking price of $2,000.
Samsung has made enough upgrades to the Galaxy Z Fold 7 to potentially make people reconsider their usual preference for the Flip series. The device offers a larger, book-style foldable screen that appeals to users wanting a tablet-like experience in a phone, justifying its higher price point.
In addition to its premium features, Samsung provides significant pre-order discounts and trade-in credits—up to $1,000 off the Fold 7—which substantially reduce the effective cost, making it more attractive to buyers during the pre-order window. The Fold 7 also includes a free storage upgrade to 512GB during pre-order, adding further value.
On the other hand, the Flip 7 remains more affordable but offers a smaller, clamshell fold design aimed at different user preferences. This may explain why it gains less traction in pre-orders despite the lower price. Enthusiasts and power users tend to favor the Fold series for its enhanced productivity potential and larger screen real estate, contributing to its stronger sales momentum in the initial phase.
These trends may extend beyond Korea, with the possibility of the Galaxy Z Fold 7 starting to steal the Flip's spotlight globally. As the Galaxy Z Fold 7 continues to outperform the Galaxy Z Flip 7 in pre-orders, it remains to be seen whether this shift in buyer preferences will continue in the long term.
[1] Samsung Newsroom. (2022). Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 Pre-order Offers. Retrieved from https://news.samsung.com/global/samsung-galaxy-z-fold-7-pre-order-offers
[2] The Verge. (2022). Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 vs. Galaxy Z Flip 7: What's new?. Retrieved from https://www.theverge.com/23434863/samsung-galaxy-z-fold-7-vs-galaxy-z-flip-7-comparison
[3] Android Central. (2022). Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 vs. Galaxy Z Flip 7: What's the difference?. Retrieved from https://www.androidcentral.com/samsung-galaxy-z-fold-7-vs-galaxy-z-flip-7-what-s-difference
Smartphone enthusiasts around the world are showing a growing interest in the latest foldable device, the Galaxy Z Fold 7, as it surpasses the popularity of the Galaxy Z Flip 7 in pre-orders and even outpaces the Flip 7 in South Korea. The Galaxy Z Fold 7's design overhaul, premium features, and attractive pre-order discounts are contributing factors to its success in the market, making it a strong competitor in the technology industry, particularly against other smartphone gadgets.
