Foldables from Samsung Electronics rolled out in 40 countries

Customers look at new Galaxy Z Fold 3 and Galaxy Z Flip 3 foldables at the Samsung Experience Store in Garden City, New York. [SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS]

The new foldables from Samsung Electronics were made available in 40 countries on Friday, with a significant number of orders already lodged.

Sales of the Galaxy Z Fold 3 and Galaxy Z Flip 3 foldable smartphones started Friday in about 40 countries worldwide, including the United States, Canada, the Britain and France.

Galaxy Watch 4 smartwatches and Galaxy Buds 2 wireless earphones were also made available in those countries.

“We plan to expand our launch to some 130 countries by October,” said a spokesperson for Samsung Electronics.

Many advanced orders have been place for the smartphones, with the device being marketed as being more durable, having better designs and being affordable. The Z Fold 3 starts as $1,799.99 compared to the Fold 2’s $1,999.99.

In the United States, orders for the foldables were greater than those of the Galaxy Z series smartphone, made available there this year. First day orders in India were 2.7 times greater than those for the Galaxy Note 20, the most recent of the company's Note series. The Galaxy Z Fold 3 and Z Flip 3 will start selling in India Sept. 10.

Various promotional events will run in the release countries, and customers will be allowed to try the newest smartphones at Samsung Experience Stores worldwide.

BY KIM TAE-YUN, LEE TAE-HEE [lee.taehee2@joongang.co.kr]