New Delhi, August 19, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Samsung’s latest foldable smartphones could become more expensive in India as rising memory chip costs put pressure on manufacturers, retailers and industry analysts said.
The company’s newest foldable lineup, comprising the Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra, Galaxy Z Fold8 and Galaxy Z Flip8, is currently priced between ₹1.25 lakh and ₹2.6 lakh. Despite the premium pricing, the devices have received a strong response from Indian consumers.
Samsung India said nearly 2.71 lakh customers pre-ordered the three smartphones within 72 hours of their launch, marking a record for its foldable smartphone portfolio in the country.
Retailers expect continued demand for memory chips, an important component in smartphones, to add to device costs. Analysts believe Samsung could eventually transfer part of the increased component expense to consumers after absorbing a substantial share of the rise so far.
The latest foldable range features upgrades to hinge mechanisms, displays, durability and performance, along with Galaxy AI features developed for the devices.
The Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra measures 4.1mm when unfolded, making it Samsung’s thinnest Galaxy Z Fold model, while the Galaxy Z Fold8 weighs 201 grams, making it the lightest Fold device in the company’s lineup.
Samsung President and CEO, Southwest Asia, JB Park, recently said the company had absorbed a significant portion of rising smartphone costs to limit the impact on consumers.
“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 at the launch of the new foldables in London.
Park said the cost burden being absorbed by Samsung in 2026 was “humongous”. He added that the company’s approach was driven by its focus on offering premium devices rather than simply protecting or expanding market share.
To make the premium devices more accessible, Samsung has also introduced long-tenure zero-cost EMI options for the Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra, Galaxy Z Fold8 and Galaxy Z Flip8 in India.
The impact of the global memory shortage is expected to extend beyond individual devices. Analysts anticipate that smartphone shipments could decline during the second half of 2026 as higher component costs translate into increased retail prices.
Abhilash Kumar, Lead Research Advisor (Director) at Smart Analytics Global (SAG), said India’s smartphone market could record annual shipment declines in the third and fourth quarters of 2026 due to the memory shortage.
“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.
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