Several months prior to the anticipated release of the Fold 8, the Fold 7 experiences a price increase in the United States.
An $80 price increase on a soon-to-be-replaced foldable device serves as Samsung's subtle indication that premium smartphones are poised to become more expensive in the U.S.
Nadeem Sarwar / Digital Trends
Up until now, we’ve witnessed companies either launch new smartphones at prices surpassing those of previous models or raise prices a few months post-launch, primarily due to the ongoing memory shortage. However, Samsung has opted to raise the price of a device set for replacement in a couple of months.
The Galaxy Z Fold 7, which debuted in July 2025, has experienced a discreet but significant price increase in the U.S. While the base model with 256GB of storage remains at $2,000, the price for the 512GB variant has risen to $2,200, an $80 increase from its original cost of $2,120.
Samsung
Isn't the Fold 8 expected to launch soon?
The high-end 1TB version has also seen a similar increase, rising from $2,420 to $2,500. As of this article's publication, these new prices were already reflected on Samsung's official U.S. website. Notably, the company did not issue any formal or courtesy announcements regarding this price adjustment.
Although it may seem illogical to increase the price of a phone about to be succeeded in just a few months, the unfortunate truth is that escalating component costs do not adhere to a product's launch schedule.
Industry-wide, memory and component expenses have been skyrocketing. Recently, Motorola raised the prices of its entry-level Android phones in the U.S. by as much as 50%. In comparison, Samsung's increase may appear minor, but it's important to recognize that this is not the complete picture.
Nirave Gondhia / Digital Trends
Potential Fold 8 buyers should be wary of pricing
The Galaxy Z Fold 7 is a top-tier device accompanied by a hefty price; it's one of the priciest consumer smartphones available. This price increase signifies that even high-end devices, which typically yield greater margins, are not entirely shielded from the significant cost pressures prevalent in the market.
Simultaneously, I have concerns regarding the launch price of the Fold 8; further price increases could further limit its potential buyer base.
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Several months prior to the anticipated release of the Fold 8, the Fold 7 experiences a price increase in the United States.
As the Galaxy Z Fold 8 approaches its release in just a few months, Samsung has increased the price of the Fold 7, indicating that escalating component costs are already impacting the pricing dynamics of high-end foldable smartphones.
