The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 and Z Fold 8 Ultra are officially here, and the race to snag the best preorder deal is on. Amazon has come out swinging, giving buyers a whopping $350 Amazon gift card with any Galaxy Z Fold 8 preorder—a move that leaves Samsung’s own $200 credit for non-trade-in customers in the dust.
The Z Fold 8 lands with a starting price of $1,899.99 (or £1,699 / AU$2,699), making these incentives more important than ever as component and RAM prices push device costs higher. For those without an old device to trade in, Amazon’s $350 gift card is the clear winner. But if you’re a Galaxy device owner with a recent flagship to part with, Samsung’s trade-in values are tough to beat: for example, a Galaxy S24 Ultra nets you $850 at Samsung, compared to just $396 on Amazon. The Fold 6? That’s $1,100 trade-in value at Samsung, versus $350 on Amazon.
Incremental Upgrades, New Form Factor
This year’s Z Fold 8 refresh focuses on subtle but meaningful improvements. The Z Fold 8 Ultra keeps the same design philosophy as last year’s Z Fold 7, but it’s now flatter, lighter, with better battery life and upgraded cameras. It remains the ultimate two-in-one device—phone and tablet in one folding flagship. The standard Z Fold 8, meanwhile, shakes things up with a wider, shorter form factor and a 10:16 cover display, making it a more comfortable fit for reading and streaming media, and reducing letterboxing compared to taller competitors.
Should You Buy Now or Wait?
With rumors swirling about Samsung repeating its “PAYPAL100” code (which previously knocked $100 off for PayPal users), and the possibility of further price drops around competing devices like the iPhone Fold, some shoppers may want to hold off. Trade-in values, however, may not stay this high.
There’s also the stylus factor. While the Fold 8 Ultra continues to support S Pen (sold separately), the standard Fold 8 omits a built-in digitizer. That omission could push heavy stylus users toward rivals like the Motorola Razr Fold, which boasts active stylus support and a beefier battery.
Bottom line: If you want the best no-trade-in deal, Amazon’s $350 gift card is hard to pass up. For loyal Galaxy users with a recent trade-in, Samsung’s direct site still offers the best bang for your buck. Either way, foldable fans have more options—and more incentives—than ever before.
