Samsung is set to raise prices of its latest foldable smartphones in India — the Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra, Galaxy Z Fold8, and Galaxy Z Flip8 — as surging global memory chip costs squeeze smartphone makers, according to leading retailers and industry analysts. The three devices, currently priced between ₹1.25 lakh and ₹2.6 lakh, have already drawn record pre-order numbers since their launch.

Record Pre-Orders Despite Premium Pricing

Samsung India reported that nearly 2.71 lakh consumers pre-ordered the three foldable devices within just 72 hours of launch — an unprecedented figure for the company's foldable portfolio in India. The strong demand underscores the growing appetite for premium foldables in the Indian market, even as upward price pressure builds.

Why Prices Are Likely to Rise

Retailers and analysts point to a global shortage of memory chips — a critical component in all smartphones — as the primary driver of cost escalation. While Samsung has so far absorbed a significant share of these higher input costs, analysts believe the company will eventually pass a portion of the burden on to consumers.

Abhilash Kumar, Lead Research Advisor (Director) at Smart Analytics Global (SAG), warned that the ripple effects will extend well beyond foldables. 'The smartphone market in India will continue to see annual shipment decline in Q3 and Q4 2026, given the global memory shortage in the smartphone industry leading to prices increase,' Kumar said. This suggests broader headwinds for the Indian smartphone industry in the second half of the year.

What Samsung's CEO Said

Samsung President and CEO, Southwest Asia, JB Park, acknowledged the cost pressure at the Galaxy foldables launch event in London, while defending the company's pricing approach. 'If you compare how much they (competition) have increased the price, Samsung's increment is relatively lesser than competition because we have been absorbing the cost,' Park said.

Park described the cost burden Samsung is absorbing in 2026 as 'humongous', adding that the decision was driven by the company's commitment to delivering premium devices — not merely by market share considerations. Samsung has also introduced long-tenure zero-cost EMI options for all three foldable models in India, a move that could soften the blow of higher upfront prices for buyers.

What Makes This Foldable Lineup Stand Out

The new devices represent Samsung's most technically advanced foldable range to date, with upgrades across hinge engineering, display quality, durability, and performance. The Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra measures just 4.1mm when unfolded, making it the thinnest Galaxy Z Fold ever built, while the Galaxy Z Fold8 weighs 201 grams — the lightest Fold model Samsung has produced. The lineup also integrates purpose-built Galaxy AI features across all three devices.

What to Watch Next

Industry observers will be tracking whether Samsung formalises a price revision before the festive season, which is traditionally the strongest sales window for premium smartphones in India. If the global memory shortage persists into late 2026, both shipment volumes and consumer affordability are likely to come under further strain across the broader market.