Apple's first foldable, the iPhone Duo, starts at $1,999 and sold out within minutes of pre-orders opening on October 16; new orders now ship in late January 2027. Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold 8 starts at $1,899.99, has been on sale since August 7, 2026, and is in stock. Both are discounted by all three big carriers, but the deals are bill credits paid over 36 months, so the real price depends on the plan you are willing to keep and whether you have a phone to trade in.
Price at a glance
| iPhone Duo | Galaxy Z Fold 8 | |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price (256GB) | $1,999 | $1,899.99 |
| Other storage | 512GB $2,199 · 1TB $2,599 · 2TB $3,199 | Fold 8 Ultra from $2,099 |
| On sale since | October 23, 2026 (new orders ship late January) | August 7, 2026 (in stock) |
| Best carrier credit | Up to $1,200 (AT&T) | Up to $1,900 (T-Mobile, AT&T) |
| Best deal without a trade-in | Verizon Simplicity Pro, about $72/mo for switchers | Verizon Simplicity, $30/mo for 48 months |
Size and specs
| iPhone Duo | Galaxy Z Fold 8 | |
|---|---|---|
| Inner screen | 7.6 inches, matte (nano-texture) finish | 7.6 inches, glossy |
| Cover screen | 5.4 inches | 5.5 inches |
| Weight | 254 g (8.96 oz) | About 201 g (7.09 oz) |
| Thickness | Thicker than the Fold 8 | 4.5 mm unfolded |
| Starting storage | 256GB | 256GB |
| Bigger model | Up to 2TB ($3,199) | Fold 8 Ultra: 215 g, 6.5-inch cover screen, from $2,099 |
Both have the same 7.6-inch inner screen, but they feel different. The iPhone Duo is about 53 g heavier and noticeably thicker, and its matte inner screen cuts reflections but looks less deep in dark scenes than Samsung's glossy panel. Early reviews also point out that some iPhone apps don't fill the Duo's inner screen yet and show black bars, while Android apps on the Fold 8 mostly use the full display.
Which is better?
- For most people buying today, the Galaxy Z Fold 8. It is cheaper, lighter, thinner, in stock, and has bigger carrier credits. Samsung is on its eighth generation of foldables.
- For iPhone owners, the iPhone Duo. It works with your Apple Watch, AirPods, Mac and iMessage history, and app support for the inner screen should improve with updates.
- Wait if you're unsure. The Duo is Apple's first foldable, and early owners have reported screen problems. Delivery for new orders is late January anyway, so there is time to read long-term reviews.
In a PhoneArena reader poll in September 2026, the Fold 8 won about 40% of votes to the Duo's 29%.
AT&T
| iPhone Duo | Galaxy Z Fold 8 | |
|---|---|---|
| Top offer | Up to $1,200 off | Up to $1,900 off (as low as $0/mo) |
| Plan needed | Premium 2.0 or higher | Premium 2.0 |
| Trade-in | Worth $230 or more | Worth $290 or more, good condition |
| Paid as | Bill credits over 36 months | Bill credits over 36 months |
With the top trade-in, the Fold 8 is effectively free at AT&T, while the iPhone Duo still costs about $22 a month (about $799 over three years). AT&T will also pay up to $800 toward your old phone's balance if you switch.
T-Mobile
| iPhone Duo | Galaxy Z Fold 8 | |
|---|---|---|
| Top offer | Up to $1,000 off | Up to $1,900 off (free) |
| Plan needed | Experience Beyond | Experience Beyond (or Go5G Next) |
| Trade-in | Any condition | Eligible device |
| Other offers | Up to $830 on Experience More; up to $730 with a new line on most plans | Smaller credits on Experience More |
T-Mobile is the only carrier with iPhone Handoff working today, for $5 a month. If you want to use the Duo alongside another iPhone on the same number, that can matter more than the credit.
Verizon
| iPhone Duo | Galaxy Z Fold 8 | |
|---|---|---|
| Top trade-in offer | Up to $1,000 off, new line on Unlimited Ultimate, any condition | Up to $1,100 off on Unlimited Plus or Ultimate |
| No trade-in route | Simplicity Pro, about $72/mo for switchers | $30/mo for 48 months on Simplicity (saves about $460) |
| Extras | Apple Watch Series 12 or iPad for switchers; $40 activation waived | Bundle with Simplicity from about $59.98/mo for phone and service, new customers |
What you really pay over 36 months
Credits only work if you stay. Leave early or pay the phone off, and the remaining credits stop. A free phone on a $105 plan can cost more than a full-price phone on a $40 plan. Here is the phone cost alone, before the plan:
| Carrier | iPhone Duo (256GB) | Galaxy Z Fold 8 (256GB) |
|---|---|---|
| AT&T, top trade-in | About $22/mo ($799) | About $0/mo |
| T-Mobile, top trade-in | About $28/mo ($999) | About $0/mo |
| Verizon, top trade-in | About $28/mo ($999) | About $22/mo ($800) |
| Full price, 36 months | About $55.53/mo | About $52.78/mo |
Which should you buy?
- Buy the iPhone Duo if you are staying on iPhone, already use Apple Watch, Mac or AirPods, and can wait until late January for delivery.
- Buy the Galaxy Z Fold 8 if you want a foldable now, have a phone worth $290 or more to trade in, or want the biggest credit. It is cheaper at every carrier.
- Skip both carrier deals if you don't want a $100+ plan for three years. Buying unlocked and putting it on a cheaper carrier can cost less overall.
Can you use them on a cheaper carrier?
Yes, if you buy unlocked. Both phones work on prepaid carriers that use the big three networks, though new phones sometimes take a few weeks to be fully supported on smaller carriers. Check your carrier's compatibility tool before switching, and see our guide to buying the iPhone Duo on a prepaid plan.
Frequently asked questions
Is the iPhone Duo bigger than the Galaxy Z Fold 8? +
Which is better, the Galaxy Z Fold 8 or the iPhone Duo? +
How much is the iPhone Duo? +
How much is the Galaxy Z Fold 8? +
Which carrier has the best iPhone Duo deal? +
Which carrier has the best Galaxy Z Fold 8 deal? +
Is the iPhone Duo or Galaxy Z Fold 8 cheaper? +
Can I get the iPhone Duo now? +
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Jean Gilles has researched personal finance, consumer technology, and wireless pricing for over a decade. He founded ShopCellPlans in 2019 and writes every review on the site.