On August 14, 2026, according to South Korea's JoongAng Ilbo, Samsung Electronics' "Galaxy Z Fold8," the world's first "passport-type" foldable smartphone, is a hit. In South Korea, pre-order sales reached 1.44 million units, marking the highest in Galaxy series history. Global cumulative sales also exceeded 5 million units.

Half of the pre-order customers on the official website were in their teens to thirties, and among them, female buyers more than doubled compared to the previous model. Industry officials say, "Since iPhone usage among Korean women in their 20s reaches 67%, the increase in purchases by women in their teens to thirties is very significant."

Even in Japan, which could be called an "Apple kingdom" with iPhone's share exceeding 50%, the article describes the reaction to the "Galaxy Z Fold8" as "unusual." After its release on the 7th, some models were temporarily out of stock, and product experience reservations at the flagship store in Tokyo's Harajuku were also sold out. According to an IT engineer, "While Galaxy is still a minority in Japan, the recognition that it holds an advantage over Apple in foldable smartphones is spreading."

When 20 women in their teens to thirties were asked about their first impressions of the Fold8 at a Samsung directly managed store in Hongdae, Seoul, responses such as "cute," "thin," "beautiful," and "unusual" predominated. Comments like "iPhone is an old man's phone" and "I've been an Apple fan for 10 years, but I'm saying goodbye" have also been posted on social media. Experts analyze, "Stimulating the feeling of 'I want it' is the starting point for sales, but Samsung Electronics has struggled with that. This time, they quickly released a new form factor to the world and captured consumers with a strong desire to own something different from others."

The Fold8's design is said to be inspired by a passport. It has a design that can be held comfortably with one hand, much like a traveler carries a passport, and when opened, a large screen can be used. While traditional foldable smartphones were often accompanied by the question, "Is there really a need to fold it?", the Fold8 is reportedly receiving praise for "clearly defining the utility of both the folded and unfolded states."

In 2013, Samsung Electronics proposed a foldable smartphone with a 4:3 ratio that could be folded and unfolded like a wallet or passport. At that time, due to technical limitations, the device was reportedly thick and heavy. It was technology that allowed the "passport-type smartphone," which was once just a dream, to be realized after 13 years.

The Fold8 adopts a "titanium alloy film" with approximately 20 times the strength of conventional materials, reducing display thickness by 12%. A new "reinforced titanium plate" has also been developed, significantly improving the creases and wrinkles that were a weakness of foldable smartphones.

Apple is also scheduled to release a 4:3 ratio foldable iPhone this September. If Apple enters the "passport-type" market pioneered by Samsung Electronics, competition over form factors is expected to intensify further.

Comments from South Korean internet users on this article include: "The Fold8 is really well-made. It'll be interesting to see what iPhone comes up with." "It looked cool in person. I'm an iPhone user, but I want to try it." "I don't care. Both iPhones and Galaxies are too expensive!" "Will the iPhone generation kids who love taking photos switch to the Fold8, which doesn't have a telephoto lens? Having only one speaker on the left side of the main body is also a fatal flaw. This promotional article is a bit much." (Translation/Editing by Asa'e)