Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 Launches at S$2,498 With Wider Screen Design

Samsung Electronics unveiled its Galaxy Z Fold 8 lineup on July 22 in London, pricing the new passport-sized Fold 8 at S$2,498 in Singapore, up from its predecessor. The company raised prices on all three foldable models due to soaring memory chip costs, which account for over 60 percent of material expenses in smartphones. The launch comes as Apple prepares to challenge Samsung’s foldable dominance with its own large-screen device this year.

New wide screen design targets video watchers

The Galaxy Z Fold 8 features a new 4:3 aspect ratio, wider than previous models, designed for users who prioritize video content. Samsung priced it at US$1,899 globally and S$2,498 in Singapore. The device joins the premium Z Fold 8 Ultra at S$2,798 and the clamshell Z Flip 8 at S$1,678. Pre-orders opened immediately, with devices shipping from August 10 in Singapore and August 14 for general purchase.

Memory chip shortage drives global price increases

Memory and storage costs exceed 30 percent of material expenses in premium smartphones, forcing Samsung to raise prices worldwide. The Z Fold 8 costs 48 percent more in Europe than Korea, and 23 percent more in the US. Samsung CEO Roh Tae-moon said the company will maintain lower Korean prices to strengthen the Galaxy brand’s global competitiveness, accepting narrower margins at home.

Samsung defends foldable lead as Apple enters market

IDC analyst Francisco Jeronimo called this Samsung’s most important foldable launch, as the company must defend the category it created. Analysts expect Apple to launch a foldable with an iPad mini-sized screen this year. IDC forecasts foldable shipments will grow 20 percent in 2026, while the overall smartphone market contracts 14 percent due to the chip shortage.

Profitability pressures mount on Samsung’s mobile division

Some analysts expect Samsung’s mobile division to post its first-ever quarterly loss in April-June 2026 as chip prices squeeze margins. However, the memory shortage benefits Samsung’s semiconductor business, which is seeing record-high profit margins. The company aims to increase global smartphone market share in 2026 despite the market contraction.

Final Thoughts

Samsung’s Z Fold 8 launch signals a maturing foldable market, but rising component costs and Apple’s imminent entry create margin pressure. For investors, watch whether Samsung can defend its foldable lead while managing profitability headwinds in mobile.

FAQs

Disclaimer:

The content shared by Meyka AI PTY LTD is solely for research and informational purposes.  Meyka is not a financial advisory service, and the information provided should not be considered investment or trading advice.