Samsung has a hit on its hands with the Galaxy Z Fold 8, to the point where the company is taking parts production from its 2027 smartphones just to meet demand for the foldable.
ZDNet Korea reports that Samsung has run into a wall when it comes to boosting Galaxy Z Fold 8 production, with demand for the foldable far outpacing initial supply. Shipping delays were seen immediately after launch, and Samsung even set out to produce one million more units.
The problem Samsung has run into, the report brings out, is around Display Driver ICs (DDIs). This specific part is built by a Taiwan-based semiconductor foundry, UMC, on a 22nm process with the partner having “reached its limit” around building these parts. As a result, Samsung is prioritizing DDI volume that was already secured for 2027 products and shifting that to boosting production of the Galaxy Z Fold 8.
Samsung isn’t directly using parts designed for other devices here, though, as the DDI is built specifically for each individual phone model. It’s the production of these parts that is being shifted around, which is still a major change on Samsung’s part. Samsung has also requested a “super hot run” – i.e. “express service” – for the Fold 8’s DDIs in order to meet demand.
This comes as the Fold 8 is partially out of stock on Samsung.com in the US, and the foldable continues to contribute to a rapidly growing foldable market. Omdia this week reports that foldable shipments will double by 2028 to the tune of around 36 million units.
More on Galaxy Z Fold 8:
- Review: The Galaxy Z Fold 8’s new shape isn’t for you – it’s for everyone
- Galaxy Z Fold 8 is convincing Z Flip owners to switch, Samsung says
- Samsung confirms Galaxy Z Fold 8’s record-breaking sales numbers
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