If the current pre-order numbers for the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3 and Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 3 are as positive as Samsung says they are, people are ready for a new type of phone.

According to a report in The Korea Herald, unnamed industry sources claim that both foldable phones have already attracted 450,000 pre-orders. Estimates predict that total pre-orders will reach 800,000 units before the phones go on sale on August 27.

Incidentally, the Galaxy Z Fold 2 only collected 80,000 pre-orders when it was launched in Korea last September. Samsung itself has commented on the pre-order status of the Galaxy Z Fold 3 and Z Flip 3, and it seems really positive.

"We appreciate the great customer response to the new Galaxy Z Fold 3 and Galaxy Z Flip 3. Interest in foldable smartphones has never been higher, and Z Fold 3 and Z Flip 3 pre-orders have already surpassed total Galaxy Z device sales so far in 2021," a Samsung representative said in an emailed statement to the press. We are committed to providing consumers with the most innovative experience possible."

Samsung did not share pre-order numbers for the U.S. or Europe. However, if the pre-order numbers are really outpacing sales of the Galaxy Z Fold 2, Galaxy Z Flip 5G, and the original Galaxy Z Flip, then perhaps the foldable device is finally turning the corner.

"Samsung has been developing foldable handsets for three generations, and the new Z Flip and Fold promise better durability, fewer compromises, and lower prices," said Avi Greengart, founder of Techsponential. 'The Galaxy Z Flip 3 in particular looks a lot like the Galaxy S21, which folds in half for the same price as other premium smartphones.' Samsung has made the folding mechanism a steady feature, not a gimmick."

The Z Flip 3 is a great example of a phone that can be folded in half at the same price as other premium smartphones.

It is unclear why interest in the Z Fold 3 and Z Flip 3 has increased over the last year, but it seems to have been boosted by the lower prices; reviews of the Galaxy Z Fold 2 and Galaxy Z Flip were more apprehensive, warning buyers of the fragility of the device They were. The price points of $1,999 and $1,380, respectively, didn't seem to help either.

The Galaxy Z Flip 3 starts at just $999 and the Galaxy Z Fold 3 at a more reasonable (but still expensive) $1,799. Also, the addition of IPX8 water resistance to both models is certainly not a bad thing.

"I've been using my new phone for almost two weeks now, and while the previous version was multifunctional (Fold) or, happily, compact (Flip), being able to use it in the rain is very reassuring," Greengart said.

It seems that better economic prospects and favorable reviews were enough to get buyers to commit to Samsung's latest folding attempt. It also helped that Samsung continues to offer generous trade-in incentives, allowing buyers to barter up to four devices for $800 off when they purchase the Z Fold 3.

Carriers such as T-Mobile and AT&T also offered generous trade-in incentives of up to $1,000 for certain devices. We actually managed to save $850 on the Z Fold 3 thanks to this pre-order trick.

It's not just older Z devices that are outperforming the upcoming foldables, but this year's S devices as well: according to the Korea Herald, pre-orders for the Z Fold 3 and Z Flip 3 are twice as many as Samsung's Galaxy S21 and 1.5 times as many as the Galaxy Note 20.

This is not so surprising given that Samsung's 2021 flagships are selling 47% less than the Galaxy S10 series, which is below sales expectations; according to Michael Allison of Digital Trends, this is not only a problem for Samsung, but for the Android ecosystem as a whole. Basically, mid-range Android devices offer enough of what consumers want, so there is little desire to spend an extra $300-500 on a flagship. And of course, there is the growing dominance of Apple, which holds itself up as an aspirational brand.

According to The Korea Herald, the Z Fold 3 and Z Flip 3's low prices of $1,799 and $999, respectively, may have contributed to the surge in pre-orders, but younger consumers are also interested. In Korea, 49% of Z Fold 3 pre-orders came from customers aged 20-30; the Z Flip 3 was even higher at 57%.

This may suggest that the current glass thin devices that have dominated the market since the launch of the iPhone in 2007 are losing their appeal. Those who grew up with the Galaxy S series wanted something different, and the Z series surprised many enough to take the plunge.

For those still interested, Samsung will continue to offer trade-in incentives until Thursday, August 26, at midnight Eastern time. According to Samsung, shipping schedules are fluid, so it is best to pre-order early. In addition, Z Fold 3 and Z Flip 3 orders will receive a $200 and $150 credit, respectively. This preferential treatment is not limited to those who pre-ordered on Samsung's website, but also applies to those who purchased from carriers. Other Galaxy Z pre-order perks include a one-year CLEAR membership that lets you skip lines at more than 38 airports, six months of obé Fitness, six months of LinkedIn Premium Career, and a Michelin Guide dessert box.