Samsung is pushing the boundaries of mobile technology with the unveiling of its first tri-fold smartphone, the Galaxy Z TriFold. The device, launching December 12th in South Korea and eventually expanding to other markets, represents a significant investment in foldable display technology despite its currently limited consumer adoption. The launch also arrives ahead of anticipated announcements from competitors like Apple, signaling an intensifying race for innovation in the premium smartphone sector.
Samsung Electronics unveiled its first foldable smartphone featuring three panels, showcasing its engineering prowess in the evolving foldable device market, despite the technology’s limited mainstream adoption.
The device, dubbed the Galaxy Z TriFold, joins a small but growing segment of foldable phones distinguished by their dual-hinge design. This allows the phones to transform into larger, tablet-sized displays.
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Samsung will initially launch the TriFold in South Korea on December 12, priced at 3.59 million won (approximately $2,450). The company plans to sell the phone in the U.S., though pricing details for the American market have not yet been disclosed. Availability is also planned for other markets including China, Taiwan, Singapore, and the United Arab Emirates.
The unveiling, which took place Tuesday in Seoul, precedes an expected announcement from Apple Inc. (AAPL) of its first foldable iPhone. Reports indicate Apple’s product, slated for release next fall, will adopt a book-like design, similar in concept to Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold 7, which launched in July.
Huawei Technologies Co. was the first to enter this specific subcategory with its Mate XT in 2024, followed by an updated Mate XTs this year that carries a price tag comparable to the Galaxy Z TriFold. This sets the stage for strong competition in China, currently the largest market for foldable phones, though Huawei’s compatibility with Android applications isn’t as extensive as Samsung’s. Samsung’s TriFold utilizes a different hinge design, folding inward from both sides, while the Mate models fold in a Z-shape.
When closed, the TriFold’s exterior screen offers dimensions similar to a standard smartphone. However, when unfolded, it delivers a tablet-like experience with a 10-inch display, exceeding the screen size of the Galaxy Z Fold 7. In tablet mode, each of the device’s screens can independently run different applications, effectively providing the functionality of three separate 6.5-inch bar-style displays side-by-side.
Leveraging Samsung’s DeX software, specifically tailored for this hardware, the TriFold can also emulate a desktop computer experience directly on the expansive interior screen. (Other Samsung phones require connection to an external monitor to activate DeX mode.) In DeX, the TriFold can operate up to four distinct workspaces, each capable of running five applications simultaneously.
To address concerns about durability, Samsung stated it has refined the phone’s hinges, aluminum frame, and screen technology to enhance long-term resilience. The company will also offer a one-time 50% discount on screen repair costs should they become necessary.
At its thinnest point, the TriFold measures 3.9 millimeters (0.15 inches). Internally, it houses a 5,600 milliampere-hour battery, representing Samsung’s highest capacity yet for a foldable phone. The battery provides up to 17 consecutive hours of video playback with the TriFold fully unfolded. However, the company did not specify typical battery life in specifications shared with Bloomberg.
During a brief hands-on session, the TriFold proved intuitive to use. If a user attempts to fold the device incorrectly – for example, closing the right side before the left – the phone quickly alerts them with on-screen notifications and physical vibrations.
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The company has equipped the TriFold with its suite of Galaxy AI software features, including Generative Edit, Photo Assist, and Writing Assist, among others. Purchasers will receive a six-month trial of Alphabet Inc.’s (GOOGL) Google AI Pro subscription.
Recent sales of Samsung’s latest foldables have surpassed those of previous models, but remain a small fraction compared to more affordable conventional models like the Galaxy S25 Ultra. If the company follows its typical release schedule, it is likely to unveil the Galaxy S26 line early next year.
With assistance from Vlad Savov.
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