Samsung said its latest range of foldable phones, launched in late July, is outpacing pre-order sales of last year’s version by 30 percent, as it faces the imminent launch of an Apple iPhone foldable.

The company said it has sold 1.44 million of the Galaxy Z Fold 8, Fold 8 Ultra and Flip 8 handsets, a level previously reached during pre-orders by the Galaxy Note 10 in 2019.

Samsung’s Galaxy Z Flip 8, Fold 8 Ultra, and Fold 8. Image credit: Samsung New form-factor

The eighth-generation foldable range is made up of the small, vertical-format Flip 8, the tall and thin Fold 8 Ultra, and the Fold 8, which uses a new, passport-shaped form-factor that’s also expected to be used by the foldable iPhone.

The Fold 8 is more compact than the taller Fold 8 Ultra when folded, and when opened, the internal screen presents a wider form-factor that Samsung says is better suited for media such as films.

Samsung said that this format is making up nearly half of all pre-orders, indicating that the new design is spurring interest from customers.

Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold 8 uses a passport-shaped, wide-screen form factor. Image credit: Samsung Foldable iPhone

The devices are set to become available starting on 7 August.

Apple is expected to announce its foldable iPhone with a similar passport shape in September.