Samsung opens U.S. preorders for new Galaxy foldables after Paris event, carriers push weekend bill credits
Enzo Reno ·
Samsung began U.S. preorders for its latest Galaxy Z foldables on Wednesday, two days after its Paris Unpacked showcase, with carrier and big box incentives aimed at shoppers this weekend. The phones are listed on Samsung.com and major carriers, with in store availability set for later this month in the United States.
The timing matters because carriers are layering bill credits and aggressive trade ins through Sunday, which historically sets the price floor for the launch window. AT&T, T Mobile, and Verizon each list up to 800 to 1000 dollars in credits with eligible trade ins on unlimited plans, while Best Buy advertises gift cards on top of carrier offers for activations placed by the end of the weekend.
Pricing and weekend availability
Samsung is holding list prices in the premium tier, and is using preorder bundles to close early buyers. The company is offering storage upgrades at no added cost during preorder, a tactic it used with the Galaxy Z Fold5 and Flip5 in 2023 and the Fold6 and Flip6 in 2024, along with credits toward Galaxy Watch and Buds accessories.
Best Buy and carrier stores are prioritizing appointment slots for hands on demos beginning this weekend in larger metro locations, with broader retail floor availability rolling in ahead of first deliveries later in July. Retailers typically tighten or adjust bill credit terms on Monday after launch weekend, which is why carrier locked preorders tend to see the steepest effective prices before Sunday night.
Why foldables now
Foldable demand recovered last year after a slower 2023. Counterpoint Research reported that global foldable shipments grew 49 percent year over year in the first quarter of 2024, and that Samsung’s share dipped below 50 percent as Huawei and Motorola gained units in China and the Americas. IDC said total global foldable shipments passed the mid teen millions in 2024, and it forecast a double digit compound annual growth rate through 2027 as prices compress and hinges and ultra thin glass improve.
Carriers see foldables as a way to lift average revenue per user without waiting for a 2026 iPhone cycle, which is why bill credits on these models often match or exceed slab flagships. Early upgrades also help move customers onto newer 5G plan tiers that bundle streaming or cloud storage, benefits carriers highlight in their preorder pages.
For the broader tech landscape, the weekend sprint around a foldable launch underscores how U.S. phone retail still leans on carrier financing and stacking promotions to move premium Android hardware. That dynamic shapes how component makers like Qualcomm and display suppliers pace upgrades, and it pressures midrange phones to compete on features outside the carrier channel, especially as buyers evaluate big ticket electronics on a Friday with incentives expiring by Sunday.