Samsung May Raise Galaxy Z Fold 8 512GB to 3 Million Won as Phone Costs Jump 23%
Updated
Updated · Forbes · May 21
Samsung May Raise Galaxy Z Fold 8 512GB to 3 Million Won as Phone Costs Jump 23%
1 articles · Updated · Forbes · May 21
3 million won ($1,988) is the expected Korean price for the Galaxy Z Fold 8 512GB model in July, with Samsung reportedly keeping the base version steadier while lifting higher storage tiers.
A 23% year-on-year rise in Samsung’s phone selling costs in Q1 2026 is driving the pressure, as memory chips, camera modules and processors all became more expensive.
The memory squeeze is tied partly to AI data centers absorbing supply, while Samsung also faces higher costs from shifting to more advanced manufacturing processes.
Feature trade-offs may help limit the increase: tipster reports say the Fold 8 will miss the Galaxy S26 Ultra’s privacy screen, regain no S Pen support and show little crease improvement.
Samsung already raised U.S. Galaxy Z Fold 7 prices by $100 last month, putting the 512GB version at $2,199 and signaling how Fold 8 pricing could evolve.
Are stagnant features and soaring prices signaling the end for premium foldable phones?
Is the AI industry's hunger for memory chips killing innovation in consumer smartphones?