Samsung says more users than ever are ditching their iPhones and other Android phones for its foldables, giving the tech giant a crucial edge as it braces for fresh competition from Apple and China’s top brands.
The company used its latest Galaxy Unpacked event in New York to spotlight the Galaxy Z Fold 7—a slimmer, lighter, and smarter take on its flagship foldable phone—and to hammer home the idea that the foldable trend isn’t just surviving. It’s thriving.
Foldables Aren’t Just for the Tech Curious Anymore
Samsung’s foldable pitch has always been a little futuristic—like holding tomorrow in your hand. But now, it’s becoming more mainstream.
Dr. Won-Joon Choi, Samsung’s President and COO of the Mobile eXperience division, said the company is witnessing a record number of non-Galaxy users switching to the Galaxy Fold line. And not just casual users either. Many are coming from rival ecosystems.
“A lot of our recent customers are first-time Samsung buyers,” Choi told The Indian Express. “Especially those curious about foldables or frustrated with the limits of traditional slabs.”
That means Samsung isn’t just defending its turf. It’s flipping it.
The Galaxy Z Fold 7: Slimmer, Lighter, Smarter
This year’s Z Fold 7 marks one of the biggest design overhauls since Samsung introduced foldables.
At first glance, it looks cleaner. The hinge is tighter. The bezels are thinner. The weight is lighter. You could almost mistake it for a regular phone—until it opens into a tablet.
Here’s what’s new:
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Thinner frame with better durability
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Integrated AI tools for writing, productivity, and image editing
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Enhanced multitasking features
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Lighter form factor—without compromising battery or power
Foldables used to be flashy. Now they’re starting to look polished.
Apple Isn’t There Yet, But It’s Getting Closer
One reason Samsung is rushing to refine its foldables is because Apple isn’t sitting still.
There’s no official foldable iPhone—yet. But persistent leaks suggest Cupertino is exploring multiple designs, and analysts say a launch window of 2026 isn’t out of the question.
Until then, Samsung knows this is its moment to stretch the lead.
Chinese players like Huawei, Honor, and Oppo are putting out sleek, aggressively priced foldables. Some of them are even beating Samsung in design, if not software.
That’s made Samsung double down on differentiation. The Fold 7’s AI tools are a big part of that. From automatic note summaries to live transcription and AI-powered image editing, it’s leaning hard into productivity—and exclusivity.
Younger Buyers and Style Seekers Fueling Flip Craze
While the Fold 7 is aimed at high-end professionals, Samsung also showed off the Galaxy Z Flip 7—its smaller, style-forward counterpart.
It’s colorful, compact, and—let’s be honest—a bit more fun.
A Samsung executive at the event said Gen Z and younger millennials have been driving the Flip’s success. Not necessarily because of the specs. But because of how it fits into their lifestyle.
“They want something that feels personal. The Flip gives them that,” the exec said.
The external screen has been improved, too. Now, users can reply to messages, control music, and even check maps—without opening the phone. It’s a little feature that makes a big difference.
Indian Market Remains a Big Foldable Battleground
India remains one of Samsung’s fastest-growing foldable markets, with the company investing heavily in marketing, retail displays, and early access programs.
That strategy’s paying off.
In 2023, India accounted for 18% of Samsung’s global foldable shipments, according to Counterpoint Research. And this year, it’s expected to grow further.
Samsung knows that pricing remains a barrier. That’s why it’s offering trade-in deals and pushing EMI-based purchases harder than ever in India.
Here’s a quick look at how foldables are priced across major markets:
| Region | Galaxy Z Fold 7 (Base Model) | Galaxy Z Flip 7 |
|---|---|---|
| US | $1,899 | $999 |
| India | ₹1,69,999 | ₹94,999 |
| UK | £1,749 | £949 |
| South Korea | ₩2,099,000 | ₩1,298,000 |
In between, Samsung has also sweetened pre-order bundles with Galaxy Buds, extra storage upgrades, and one-year screen protection in India and Southeast Asia.
Is This the iPhone Moment for Foldables?
That’s the billion-dollar question.
Ten years ago, the iPhone redefined smartphones by getting rid of physical keyboards. Now, some think foldables could do the same by getting rid of fixed screen sizes.
Samsung’s strategy is clear: dominate early, make the tech feel normal, and offer just enough AI magic to feel futuristic.
It’s already working. Foldables now account for nearly 3% of global smartphone sales, and that figure could double next year, IDC predicts. Not massive. But not niche either.
Still, skeptics say foldables are stuck in a “luxury trap.” Too expensive for most buyers. Too delicate for daily use. Too niche to matter.
Samsung’s betting otherwise.
And this year, with the Z Fold 7’s cleaner look and smarter guts, it might just have a shot at proving them wrong.
