Last updated: July 6th, 2026 at 08:29 UTC+02:00
SamMobile has affiliate and sponsored partnerships, we may earn a commission.
An increase in memory chip costs has forced Samsung to raise the prices of its upcoming foldable phones compared to their predecessors.
Reading time: 2 minutes
Samsung
Last week, the European prices for Samsung’s upcoming foldable phones leaked. Now, pricing information for the Galaxy Z Flip 8, Galaxy Z Fold 8, and the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra has surfaced for South Korea. If this information is accurate, it could give us a better idea of the price changes Samsung is planning.
A report from Bloter claims that Samsung will unveil the Galaxy Z Flip 8, Galaxy Z Fold 8, and the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra in London, UK, on July 22, 2026. Based on information from South Korean mobile carriers, the Galaxy Z Flip 8 could launch with a starting price of KRW 1,683,000 (~$1,099). The Galaxy Z Fold 8 is reportedly priced at KRW 2,278,000 (~$1,499), while the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra could start at KRW 2,577,000 (~$1,682).
These prices appear to be significantly lower than those leaked for Europe. It is possible that these are carrier-subsidized prices available to customers who purchase the phones with a multi-year contract.
Samsung is reportedly planning to accept pre-orders in South Korea from July 28 to August 3, 2026. Pre-order customers could start receiving their devices on August 4, while general availability is expected to begin on August 7, 2026.
Based on this information, the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra could cost KRW 197,700 (~$130) more than the Galaxy Z Fold 7 at launch. The Galaxy Z Fold 8, on the other hand, appears to be KRW 101,300 (~$70) cheaper than the Galaxy Z Fold 7’s launch price in South Korea. Meanwhile, the Galaxy Z Flip 8 could cost KRW 198,000 (~$130) more than the Galaxy Z Flip 7.
Prices of DRAM and NAND flash chips have increased severalfold over the past year. The share of memory chip costs in an $800 smartphone was around 14% in the first quarter of 2025, but that figure has risen to 40% in the third quarter of 2026.
As a result, smartphone brands have little choice but to pass those higher component costs on to consumers.
Asif is a computer engineer turned technology journalist. He has been using Samsung phones since 2004, and his current smartphone is the Galaxy S23 Ultra. He loves headphones, mechanical keyboards, and PC hardware. When not writing about technology, he likes watching crime and science fiction movies and TV shows.
