Why the iPhone Ultra might not drastically affect Galaxy Z Fold 8 sales at launch

Apple is expected to unveil its first foldable iPhone later this year, seven years after Samsung unveiled the original Galaxy Fold. This upcoming iPhone is widely being called the iPhone Ultra, and it will rival the Galaxy Z Fold 8 and the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra this year.

Since Apple has an undeniable ability to attract millions of buyers due to its brand power, the rumored iPhone Ultra is a potential threat to Samsung's long-standing dominance in the foldable smartphone segment. At launch, however, the foldable iPhone may not drastically affect sales of the Galaxy Z Fold 8 series.

Delayed global rollout of the iPhone Ultra

A report from ChannelNews claims that Apple will unveil the foldable iPhone during a press event on September 8, 2026, alongside the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max.

iPhone Ultra's fan-made render | Source: @cyberstructor / Threads

However, all three phones will not hit store shelves simultaneously; the iPhone 18 Pro series is expected to arrive later that month, while the iPhone Ultra will reportedly be limited to the US at launch, with availability expanding to other key markets like China later on.

The report adds that countries such as Australia will not receive the iPhone Ultra during its initial rollout. This means shoppers looking for a foldable smartphone during this year's holiday shopping season will not have Apple's foldable as an option in most regions.

Galaxy Z Fold 8 and Fold 8 Ultra | Source: Max Jambor / SamMobile

As a result, sales of the Galaxy Z Fold 8 and Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra are unlikely to take a significant hit.

A massive price gap

Pricing is another major hurdle. The iPhone Ultra is expected to be up to AU$700 (‭~$500) more expensive than the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra, which retails for AU$‬‭‬‭‬‭‬ ‭‬2,999 (‭~$2,135). With an estimated price tag of around AU$‬‭‬‭‬‭‬‭‬ ‭‬3,699 (~$2,635), Apple's foldable could be priced well out of reach for many prospective buyers.

Widescreen Fold

Buy Galaxy Z Fold 8

Samsung Store Deals

Furthermore, the standard Galaxy Z Fold 8, which is expected to be the direct competitor to the iPhone Ultra due to its similar form factor, screen dimensions, and dual-camera setup, costs AU‭$2,699 in Australia. That makes it AU$‬‭‬‭‬‭‬ ‭‬1,000 (~$712) cheaper than the expected price of Apple's foldable. That is a massive price gap and could divert many buyers toward Samsung.

Buy Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra

Samsung Store Deals

Between limited regional availability and a substantially higher price tag, the iPhone Ultra is unlikely to make a major dent into the sales of the Galaxy Z Fold 8 series, particularly during the crucial holiday shopping window.

That is welcome news for Samsung, which continues to see strong momentum with its latest foldable lineup across the globe, with pre-orders rising in double digits compared to the Galaxy Z Flip 7 and the Galaxy Z Fold 7.