Samsung launches tri-fold phone ahead of Apple

Samsung Electronics has released its first tri-fold smartphone, showcasing its engineering prowess in this emerging field ahead of competitor Apple’s anticipated entry into the foldable market, with the intention of consolidating its technological lead. The new device, named Galaxy Z TriFold, was unveiled on Tuesday in Seoul. It features two hinges and transforms into a tablet-sized device when unfolded. The device will debut in South Korea on December 12, with a price tag of 3.59 million Korean won (approximately $2,450 USD). This move comes months before Apple is expected to launch its first foldable iPhone next fall. According to Bloomberg, Apple's product will adopt a book-like design, similar to Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold 7 concept released in July. By launching a more complex tri-fold device ahead of Apple, Samsung aims to further highlight its lead in foldable technology and set a new benchmark in the high-end market. Samsung stated that the Galaxy Z TriFold will also be released in markets such as the United States, China, Taiwan, Singapore, and the UAE, but pricing for the U.S. has not yet been announced. Although foldable smartphones have yet to gain mainstream consumer acceptance, Samsung’s move will undoubtedly intensify the technological race in the high-end smartphone sector. **A New Form Factor and Powerful Multitasking** The core highlight of the Galaxy Z TriFold lies in its innovative form and robust multitasking capabilities. When folded, the external screen matches the size of a conventional smartphone; when fully unfolded, it presents a 10-inch display, providing a tablet-like experience—larger than Samsung’s existing Galaxy Z Fold 7. In tablet mode, each of its three screens can independently run different apps, equivalent to using three 6.5-inch bar-type phones side by side. Additionally, with Samsung DeX software optimized for this hardware, users can enjoy a desktop-like experience directly on the large internal screen without connecting to an external monitor, as is required by other Samsung phones. In DeX mode, the device can support up to four separate workspaces, with each workspace capable of running five apps simultaneously. **Facing Competition in the Chinese Market** Samsung’s tri-fold phone will directly face competition from Huawei Technologies, particularly in China—the world’s largest foldable phone market. In 2024, Huawei pioneered this segment with its Mate XT and this year launched an upgraded Mate XTs model with comparable pricing to the Galaxy Z TriFold. Although Huawei poses strong competition in China, its devices lag behind Samsung in Android app compatibility. The designs of the two phones also differ: Samsung’s device folds inward from both sides, while Huawei’s Mate series employs a Z-shaped folding method. **Focus on Design and Durability** To allay consumer concerns about reliability, Samsung emphasized improvements made to the Galaxy Z TriFold’s hinge, aluminum frame, and display technologies to enhance long-term durability. The company will also offer a one-time 50% discount on display repairs for users. In terms of design, the thinnest part of the device is just 3.9mm (0.15 inches). It is equipped with a 5,600mAh battery, the largest ever used in Samsung’s foldable phones, capable of supporting up to 17 hours of continuous video playback with the screen fully unfolded. However, in specifications shared with Bloomberg, Samsung did not disclose expected battery life under typical usage. In a brief hands-on experience, the device operated intuitively and, if an attempt was made to fold it incorrectly (such as folding the right side first), the phone would quickly alert the user via a screen notification and physical vibration. **AI Features and Market Outlook** On the software side, the Galaxy Z TriFold is equipped with Samsung’s Galaxy AI toolkit, including generative editing, photo assistant, and writing assistant features. Buyers will also receive a six-month trial of Alphabet Inc.'s Google AI Pro subscription service. Although early sales of Samsung’s recently released foldable phones have surpassed previous models, their sales remain insignificant compared to more affordable traditional models such as the Galaxy S25 Ultra. If Samsung continues its recent release schedule, the Galaxy S26 series is expected to launch early next year. Whether the Galaxy Z TriFold can attract more high-end consumers with its unique form factor and features remains to be seen. Risk Warning and Disclaimer The market has risks, and investment requires caution. This article does not constitute personal investment advice and does not take into account individual users’ specific investment goals, financial situation, or needs. Users should consider whether any opinions, views, or conclusions in this article fit their own circumstances. Investing based on this article is at your own risk.