Samsung launches its first multi-folding phone as competition from Chinese brands intensifies
Samsung phones seen at the store in Krakow, Poland, on February 21, 2024.
Jakub Porzycki | Nurfoto | Getty Images
Samsung Electronics On Monday, it announced the launch of its first multiple foldable smartphone as it races to keep up with innovations from fast-moving rivals.
The company said that the long-awaited “Galaxy Z TriFold” will go on sale in South Korea on December 12, followed by launches in other markets such as China, Taiwan, Singapore and the United Arab Emirates. Press release.
The South Korean technology giant added that the phone will be available for sale in the USA in the first quarter of 2026 and more details will be shared later. The Galaxy Z Trifold will be available as a single model in black with 16 GB memory and 512 GB storage and will be priced at 3,594,000 South Korean won ($2,449).
“With Apple’s anticipated entry into the foldable segment, Samsung is positioning this device as a versatile pilot to strengthen its technology leadership.”
Liz Lee
Deputy Director of Counterpoint Research
The device uses two inward-folding hinges to open up to a 10-inch screen with a resolution of 2160 x 1584, which is slightly smaller than the 11-inch screen of the 11th-generation iPad.
With the display panels folded, the device is 12.9 millimeters (0.5 inches) thick; That’s slightly more than the Galaxy Z Fold6 at 12.1mm and the latest Galaxy Z Fold7 at 8.9mm.
“Samsung’s first triple-folder will be released in very limited volume, but scale is not the goal,” Liz Lee, deputy director of Counterpoint Research, said in a statement shared with CNBC.
“In an environment where competitive dynamics will change significantly in 2026, and Apple in particular is expected to enter the foldable segment, Samsung is positioning this device as an all-round pilot to strengthen its technology leadership.”
Lee added that Samsung’s newest product aims to test durability, hinge design and software performance while gathering real-world user insights before broader commercialization.
The phone’s three foldable panels can also run three apps vertically side by side and desktop-like mode without a separate screen.
TriFold has the largest battery capacity among Samsung’s foldable models and supports super-fast charging, reaching 50% in 30 minutes.
Who was T.M. Roh? recently appointed Samsung Electronics co-CEO and head of the Device eXperience division said the Galaxy Z TriFold reflects years of work on foldable designs and aims to balance portability, performance and productivity in a single device.
Samsung became one of the first innovators of foldable smartphones by launching its first foldable device in 2019. Although the market remains relatively small, new competitors have continued to enter the market, including Chinese brands that have proven competitive in both price and size.
In September, telecommunications giant Huawei announced its second-generation tri-fold phone, which is 12.8 mm thick when folded, for the Chinese market.
This year also saw Chinese brands like Honor launch foldable smartphones in international markets. Honor spun off from Huawei in 2020 to avoid US sanctions and gain access to international markets.
Like Samsung’s other new foldable devices, the TriFold is rated IP48; This means it’s water resistant to 1.5 meters for up to 30 minutes, but offers limited protection against dust.
