India’s Foldable Smartphone Market Remains at a Nascent Stage
The foldable smartphone market in India remains at a very nascent stage. As of 2025, foldable smartphones accounted for less than one percent of the overall Indian smartphone market, and the market dynamics have not changed significantly in 2026.
Samsung Expands Its Foldable Portfolio in India
Samsung has recently expanded its foldable portfolio in India with the launch of three new devices, the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra, Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 (Wide), and Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 8. The Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra starts at around INR 2,00,000, while the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Wide is priced at INR 1,80,000. The Galaxy Z Flip 8, on the other hand, starts at INR 1,25,000.
Image 1: Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 8, Z Fold 8 Ultra, Z Fold 8.
Among the three devices, the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Wide is an entirely new addition to Samsung’s portfolio, while the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra and Galaxy Z Flip 8 succeed the previous-generation models. Both successor devices have witnessed a price increase compared to last year, roughly 14%, which is not surprising given the continued increase in memory prices across the global smartphone industry.
Samsung Continues to Lead India’s Foldable Smartphone Market
Samsung continues to dominate India’s foldable smartphone market, accounting for over 80% of total foldable smartphone shipments while the remaining .
With the introduction of three new foldables spanning different form factors, the company is believed to further consolidate its leadership in the segment.
Galaxy Z Fold 8 Wide Counters Apple’s Expected Foldable Entry
The timing of these launches is equally important. Apple has been witnessing strong momentum in India’s premium smartphone segment over the past few years, consistently delivering double-digit growth. The company is widely expected to introduce its first foldable smartphone this fall, with industry speculation pointing towards a wide foldable form factor.
Against this backdrop, Samsung’s decision to introduce the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Wide ahead of Apple’s foldable launch appears strategically well-timed. Had Samsung not introduced a wider foldable before Apple’s entry, Apple could have temporarily enjoyed a monopoly in this form factor, attracting not only existing iPhone users but also premium Android consumers looking for a wider foldable experience.
Instead, Samsung has ensured that consumers interested in a wider foldable now have an option within the Android ecosystem itself. This not only improves Samsung’s ability to retain its existing premium customer base but also creates direct competition for Apple’s upcoming foldable, widely speculated to be called the iPhone Fold Ultra.
Local Manufacturing Gives Samsung an Additional Advantage
Samsung’s manufacturing strategy further strengthens its competitive position in India. The company is expected to assemble 100% of the Galaxy Z Fold 8, Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra, and Galaxy Z Flip 8 locally for domestic consumption. This significantly reduces the need to import fully built devices, thereby lowering the customs duty burden and improving cost structure. The economics become even more favourable following the Indian government’s decision to remove customs duty on select smartphone components.
Apple’s Manufacturing Strategy May Initially Differ
Apple, on the other hand, is believed to follow a different manufacturing approach for its first foldable iPhone. While there have been reports of preparations to manufacture the device in India, we believe production is likely to be split between China and India during the initial phase. Historically, Apple has preferred to stabilize manufacturing of entirely new form factors in China before expanding production to other markets. Although the manufacturing gap between China and India has narrowed considerably over the past few years, China is still expected to remain the primary production hub during the initial production ramp-up.
Conclusion
This contrast gives Samsung an additional operational advantage, improves its cost competitiveness, enhances margins, and further strengthens its position ahead of Apple’s entry into India’s premium foldable smartphone market.