Samsung Electronics announced that it will officially launch its next-generation foldable smartphones, the Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra, Fold8, and Flip8, along with the Galaxy Watch Ultra2 and Watch9, in South Korea starting August 7.
The eighth-generation Galaxy Z series features significant improvements in design and usability, leveraging seven years of accumulated foldable technology. The new models also enhance differentiation based on user lifestyle preferences.
The new products have already seen success in pre-sales. From July 28 to August 3, Samsung sold 1.44 million units of the Galaxy Z8 series during its pre-sale period, setting a record for the highest pre-sales of any Galaxy smartphone. Notably, about 70% of pre-order customers chose the Galaxy Z Fold8, indicating strong interest in the newly introduced form factor and design.
There was also a notable influx of younger consumers and women. Among customers who pre-ordered the Fold8 Ultra, Fold8, and Flip8 on Samsung.com, half were in their 20s and 30s. The proportion of female customers in this age group purchasing the Fold8 Ultra and Fold8 doubled compared to the previous model, the Fold7. In terms of color preferences, the Fold8 Ultra's Graphite and Violet Shadow, the Fold8's Cream and Graphite, and the Flip8's Pink and Cream were particularly popular.
The usage rate of AI services among customers purchasing unlocked models was also high. It was reported that one in two customers who pre-ordered the Z8 series unlocked models joined the 'New Galaxy AI Subscription Club.' Popular features included 'Smart Switch,' which allows data transfer via QR code without a separate app installation, 'Quick Share,' which enhances sharing convenience between iOS and Galaxy devices, and 'Samsung Wallet,' which supports mobile payments as well as transportation cards, airline tickets, and identification.
The top model, the Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra, focuses on multitasking and productivity with its 203.1mm large display. Weighing just 215 grams and measuring 4.1mm in thickness when opened, it supports up to 27 hours of video playback with its 5000mAh large-capacity battery. It also features a 200-megapixel main camera and the Fold series' first 50-megapixel ultra-wide camera, enhancing its photography capabilities.
The Galaxy Z Fold8 offers a 193.2mm main screen and a 138.4mm cover screen, enhancing the content consumption experience for video, reading, gaming, and social media. Weighing 201 grams, it is the lightest in the Fold series, equipped with a 4800mAh battery and a 50-megapixel dual camera. The Galaxy Z Flip8 is the thinnest and lightest in the Flip series at 180 grams and 6.1mm thick, featuring a new 'Mirror View' function that allows the cover screen to be used as a hand mirror.
The new smartwatches also continued their growth trend. The Galaxy Watch Ultra2 and Watch9 recorded double-digit growth in pre-sales compared to the same period for their predecessors. The Ultra2, available in a single 47mm size, saw a 15% increase in female buyers compared to the previous model. The Ultra2 is optimized for outdoor environments with an 800mAh battery and a display brightness of up to 5000 nits, while the Watch9 provides personalized health data, including biometric indicators, heart health scores, daily aerobic load, and physical fitness index.
Samsung Electronics has also prepared various benefits for customers purchasing in August. These include a 10% discount coupon for watches and a 30% discount coupon for accessories available on the Samsung.com app, as well as content benefits such as a six-month subscription to Google AI Pro and a three-month subscription to Willa. Additionally, exclusive accessories featuring magnets and kickstands, along with various watch bands and watch faces, will be launched, and a 'Watch Design Challenge' will be held until September 14, allowing customers to certify their own watch designs.
Jung Ho-jin, Vice President and Head of Samsung Electronics Korea, stated, "The eighth-generation Galaxy Z series has achieved true popularization of foldable smartphones by applying the know-how accumulated over seven years. I hope users will experience the Galaxy ecosystem with the Galaxy Watch Ultra2 and Galaxy Watch9, which provide personalized healthcare guidance as a health companion on their wrist."
Meanwhile, the new products will be gradually launched in over 100 major countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom, India, and Japan.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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