[DigitalToday reporter Jin-ho Lee] Samsung Electronics' new foldable smartphone Galaxy Z8 series set a new record for Galaxy smartphone preorders.

Samsung Electronics said on Monday that a total of 1.44 million units of the Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra, Fold8 and Flip8 were sold in South Korea during the seven-day preorder period from July 28 to Aug. 3.

That is about 140 units sold per minute during the preorder period. The previous record was 1.38 million units set by the Galaxy Note10 over 11 days in August 2019. The Galaxy Z8 series surpassed that after 7 years.

The all-time highest preorder record for the Galaxy S series was 1.35 million units set by the Galaxy S26 series this year. Among foldable products, the highest was 1.04 million units set by the Galaxy Z Fold7 and Flip7 last year.

By model, the Galaxy Z Fold8 accounted for about 70 percent of sales. Demand was interpreted as having concentrated on the Fold8, which applies a new screen ratio and design. By color, cream and graphite for the Galaxy Z Fold8 showed high preference.

For the Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra, graphite and violet shadow were popular, while for the Galaxy Z Flip8, pink and cream were popular. Among exclusive colors for Samsung.com and Samsung Gangnam, pistachio and mint were highly preferred.

Samsung Electronics analysed that interest from consumers in their teens to 30s, an increase in female customers and preorder benefits drove sales. Among customers who pre-purchased products on Samsung.com, those in their teens to 30s accounted for half. The large screen and multitasking features suited to content use such as short-form videos, webtoons, games and e-books drew interest from younger consumers.

The number of female customers also increased. On Samsung.com, the number of female customers in their teens to 30s who bought the Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra and Fold8 more than doubled from the previous model, the Galaxy Z Fold7. The company said the Galaxy Z Fold8 drew in female customers as well with its new 4:3 screen ratio and design.

The AI subscription program, the New Galaxy AI Subscription Club, and the double storage benefit were also cited as factors behind the strong sales.

Samsung Electronics analysed that among preorder customers who bought unlocked models on Samsung.com, half joined the New Galaxy AI Subscription Club. It said the double storage benefit, which increases storage from the 256GB model to the 512GB model, and a program that guarantees up to 50 percent of the standard price when returning the device after one year helped drive sign-ups.

Samsung Electronics also newly introduced 'Flip Youth Subscription', which provides up to a 50 percent residual value guarantee and a language-learning application pass when buyers of the unlocked Galaxy Z Flip8 join a two-year Subscription Club plan.

Preorder customers for the Galaxy Z8 series can activate their devices sequentially from Monday. The official launch is on Aug. 7. It will be released sequentially in about 100 countries worldwide, including South Korea.