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Random freezes, missing sound and display glitches usually trace back to one bad driver. Find and replace yours safely.Free scan · under a minuteSamsung did reportedly prepare for weaker foldable-phone demand in 2025, but the reports described cautious production planning—not a confirmed collapse in consumer sales. Korean-media and industry reports cited sharply different targets after estimates that the Galaxy Z Fold6 and Z Flip6 underperformed. Market forecasts also disagreed: Counterpoint Research expected the global foldable market to shrink for the first time, while TrendForce projected roughly flat shipments and a steep decline in Samsung’s share. Samsung’s next-generation Galaxy Z Fold7 and Z Flip7 then produced strong early U.S. preorder figures, complicating the bearish narrative.
What Samsung was reportedly planning
The original story concerned reported manufacturing and shipment expectations for 2025, not a public Samsung admission that customers had abandoned foldables. SamMobile’s account of Korean industry reporting said Samsung’s initial production target for the Galaxy Z Fold7, Z Flip7 and Z Flip7 FE was about 1.35 million units. A separate 9to5Google report cited a broader target of about 5 million Fold7 and Flip7 units combined.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
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Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra Unlocked Android Smartphone, 512GB Graphite | $2,989.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
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Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 Unlocked Android Smartphone, 256GB Graphite | $1,999.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
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Samsung Galaxy Zflip7 FE Cell Phone (2025), 256GB AI Smartphone, JetBlack | $679.99 | Buy on Amazon |
Those figures cannot be compared as if they were the same forecast. They may cover different models, time periods and stages of the supply chain. “Production” means phones manufactured; “sell-in” means units shipped to carriers or retailers; “sell-through” means consumer purchases. A lower factory allocation can reflect inventory control, cautious component orders or a correction after excess stock. It does not prove that final retail sales will fall by the same amount.
| Reported figure | What it appears to cover | How to interpret it |
|---|---|---|
| About 1.35 million units | Initial production target for Fold7, Flip7 and Flip7 FE, according to SamMobile’s report | Reported manufacturing allocation, not an audited sales forecast |
| About 5 million units | Fold7 and Flip7 combined, according to 9to5Google’s report | A separate reported target with different model coverage |
Android Authority’s summary of the underlying ET News reporting likewise treated the numbers as industry estimates. Samsung did not publish an official product-level 2025 sales target in the material cited.
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- SPLIT THE VIEW. MULTITASK¹ TO THE MAX: Productivity never felt this powerful. Use up to three apps¹ at once on the expansive inner screen of Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra. You’ll enjoy plenty of space to work, play, connect and more.
- MULTITASKING MADE SMARTER WITH AI: Stay one step ahead with AI² that suggests which apps you might need next. Then view those multiple windows side by side on the large screen of your Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra.
- ANY SHOT, ALL THE DETAILS: Dive into the details of any image with our best camera on a foldable smartphone. Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra boasts a 200MP camera — and an upgraded 50MP Ultra Wide lens — for both stunning wide shots and extreme close-ups.
- ELITE CHIPSET. FLUID GRAPHICS: Experience what’s possible with our most advanced Galaxy Z Series processor. From immersive gaming and speedy multitasking to the latest Galaxy AI³ features, the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 keeps everything running seamlessly.
- THE BATTERY YOU’VE BEEN WAITING FOR: It’s the battery you’ve been wanting in a foldable cell phone. Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra packs a powerful ultra-sized⁴ battery in an ultra-slim design. Plus, with Super Fast Charging 2.0⁵, charge up faster than ever before.
Why Samsung had reason to be cautious
Estimates pointed to a weak Fold6 and Flip6 cycle
One 9to5Google summary of Hana Securities figures said combined Fold6 and Flip6 sales had remained below roughly 5 million units, about 6% below the previous Fold5 and Flip5 generation. Other coverage described larger changes in Samsung’s foldable shipments or production plans. These are analyst and media estimates rather than Samsung’s audited, model-by-model disclosures, so they should be read as directional evidence.
Prices kept foldables in a premium niche
At the 2025 U.S. launch, Samsung listed the Galaxy Z Fold7 from $1,999.99, the Galaxy Z Flip7 from $1,099.99 and the Galaxy Z Flip7 FE from $899.99. The prices and July 25, 2025 general-availability date appear in Samsung’s launch announcement. Trade-in offers could lower the effective cost, but the list prices still limited the addressable market.
Upgrades were not necessarily compelling
The Fold6 and Flip6 were evolutionary products. Owners of an earlier generation may have seen no urgent reason to replace a working phone, especially when a conventional flagship offered strong cameras, battery life and durability for less money. Slower replacement demand can hurt a new model even when first-time interest remains healthy.
Durability and repair costs affected the value calculation
Foldable buyers consider hinge reliability, flexible-display wear, crease visibility, water and dust exposure, repair pricing, resale value and access to qualified service centers. Those concerns do not establish that a specific defect caused Samsung’s sales estimates to weaken; they explain why the category faces a higher perceived risk than a conventional phone.
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Chinese manufacturers intensified competition
Honor, Huawei and other Chinese brands increasingly competed with thinner bodies, lower weight, larger batteries, advanced cameras and aggressive domestic pricing. Reuters coverage carried by Investing.com described the competitive test facing Samsung, while SamMobile’s market discussion examined China’s effect on Samsung’s lead. Market-share claims must be tied to a particular geography and measurement method; China-only sell-through is not equivalent to global shipments.
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- CREATED FOR YOUR CONTENT: Any way you turn it, the new Galaxy Z Fold8 gives you a fuller viewing experience. Designed with your content in mind, this foldable phone is the perfect size to make your movies, books and more incredibly immersive.
- WORLD’S LIGHTEST FOLD¹: Galaxy Z Fold8 is the newest foldable phone for content on the go. Unfolded, it fits movies and books for an immersive experience. Folded, it delivers comfortable texting and everyday use — all on the world’s lightest fold.¹
- THE BRIGHTEST DISPLAY ON A GALAXY PHONE: Our brightest smartphone display² provides you with a comfortable view, whether you’re inside or outside. Watch movies, play games and scroll with ease no matter where you are.
- RECORD. REFRAME. READY FOR SOCIAL³: Record content on Galaxy Z Fold8 and then use My FanCam³ to keep your subject center stage. The result is a social-ready video that focuses on the part of the action you really want.
- UNTETHER YOUR ENTERTAINMENT: The long-lasting battery of Galaxy Z Fold8 is built to power hours of entertainment. And when you do need to recharge, Super Fast Charging 2.0⁴ gets you back to what you love quickly.
The novelty effect was fading
As more brands offered foldables, the question changed from whether the hinge technology worked to what practical problem it solved. A buyer who rarely uses split-screen apps may not see enough benefit to justify the premium, while a thinner competing design can make Samsung’s first-mover advantage less decisive.
Was the entire foldable market shrinking?
There was no single settled answer because the forecasts measured different periods and used different methodologies.
| Source and timing | View of 2025 | What it says about Samsung |
|---|---|---|
| Counterpoint Research forecast | Expected the first annual decline in global foldable shipments, citing Samsung’s weak fourth-quarter performance and reduced production by other vendors | Supported a cautious outlook for the category |
| TrendForce forecast | About 19.8 million foldable shipments in 2025, broadly flat year over year | Projected Samsung’s share falling from 45.2% in 2024 to 35.4% in 2025 |
| Counterpoint quarterly report summarized by Gadgets 360 | Global shipments rose 14% year over year in Q3 2025 | The Galaxy Z Fold7 helped a strong launch quarter |
A market can be flat or declining for the full year while one quarter grows rapidly. Likewise, Samsung can increase unit sales and still lose share if Chinese competitors expand faster. Forecast revisions, launch timing, shipment definitions and geographic coverage all matter.
How the Fold7 and Flip7 changed the conversation
Samsung responded with a more visible hardware refresh. The Fold7 was positioned as thinner and lighter, the Flip7 gained a larger cover display, and the Flip7 FE lowered the entry point for Samsung’s range. Samsung also emphasized artificial-intelligence features, durability and usability in its launch announcement.
In the United States, Samsung said Fold7 and Flip7 preorders were more than 25% above the preceding generation. It said Fold7 preorders were nearly 50% ahead of Fold6 during the first week of availability. Those figures come from Samsung’s own announcement, not an independently audited global sell-through report. They are meaningful evidence of stronger early U.S. demand, but they do not establish that Samsung met a worldwide annual production or sales target.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Did the bearish warning come true?
- Production planning: Reports credibly indicated that Samsung was conservative after a disappointing prior generation, but the exact targets differed and were not confirmed as official sales guidance.
- Samsung’s competitive position: The company faced genuine share pressure as Chinese brands improved their hardware and distribution, particularly in China.
- Early U.S. demand: Samsung reported a substantial preorder improvement for the Fold7 and Flip7.
- Full-year global result: The cited evidence does not support declaring either a confirmed collapse or a definitive worldwide sales victory. Production, shipments, preorders and consumer sell-through are different measures.
What the 2025 story means if you are buying a Samsung foldable
Galaxy Z Fold7: pay for the large-screen use case
The Fold7 makes the strongest financial case for buyers who will regularly use its tablet-like inner display for multitasking, documents or large-screen apps. It is a poor fit if you prioritize compactness, inexpensive repairs or maximum battery value. Samsung’s U.S. purchase page listed the 256GB model at $1,999.99, 512GB at $2,199.99 and 1TB at $2,499.99 when captured; promotions and inventory can change. See the official Fold7 purchase page.
Galaxy Z Flip7: choose portability over productivity
The Flip7 suits someone who wants a normal-size smartphone that folds into a smaller pocket footprint. Its value is convenience and design rather than a tablet-sized workspace. At launch it started at $1,099.99 in the U.S., according to Samsung’s launch announcement.
Galaxy Z Flip7 FE: lower entry cost, not lower risk
The Flip7 FE started at $899.99 and is aimed at first-time foldable buyers. A lower price improves accessibility, but it does not eliminate hinge, display, repair or resale concerns, and it is not a substitute for the Fold7’s large-screen functionality.
Certified Re-Newed can reduce the upfront hit
In an April 2026 announcement, Samsung listed Certified Re-Newed Fold7 models from $1,699 and Flip7 models from $939. Samsung said the devices receive genuine parts, a certified new battery and a one-year manufacturer warranty. Availability and exact pricing are time-sensitive; details are in Samsung’s Certified Re-Newed announcement.
Budget separately for protection
Samsung’s captured Fold7 purchase page showed Care+ at $13 per month or $269 for two years, with theft-and-loss coverage at $18 per month or $349 for two years. Terms vary by state and product. Compare those plans with carrier insurance and your expected ownership period; a protection plan is more relevant when a damaged flexible display could produce a large repair bill.
How to read future foldable-sales headlines
- Identify whether the number is production, sell-in, sell-through, shipments or preorders.
- Check the model mix: Fold7 and Flip7 alone are not the same as including the Flip7 FE.
- Check geography and period. U.S. preorders, China sell-through and global quarterly shipments answer different questions.
- Look for the source’s methodology and whether a figure is a forecast, company claim or audited result.
- Separate Samsung’s unit performance from its market share; both can move in opposite directions.
The Bottom Line
Samsung’s reported 2025 production caution was a rational response to weaker estimated Fold6 and Flip6 demand, premium pricing and tougher Chinese competition. It was not proof that foldables had failed. The Fold7 and Flip7 generated strong company-reported U.S. preorders, while market researchers disagreed over whether the overall category would shrink or remain flat. For buyers, the decision still depends on whether the foldable’s specific benefit justifies its price and repair risk.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
