On December 1, Samsung presented what foldable phone fans have been waiting for for years. The company officially unveiled the Galaxy Z TriFold – a smartphone that folds into three parts and unfolds into a 10-inch mini-tablet. This is Samsung's boldest model in this segment to date, which has led to industry rumors that Apple is also developing its own foldable device.
The first market to receive the TriFold will be South Korea. Sales there begin on December 12th. The price is far from cheap – 3.59 million won, or approximately $2,450. The phone is planned to be launched in other key markets afterwards: the US is expected in the first quarter of 2026, and it will be officially launched for sale in China, Taiwan, Singapore and the United Arab Emirates. In other words, Samsung is not keeping it just for its domestic market.
How the TriFold works and what makes it different
The Galaxy Z TriFold folds inwards and has two hinges of different sizes. This allows the screen to be divided into three "folds", while remaining protected when closed. This design differs from models like the Huawei Mate XT, where the screen folds outwards and is more susceptible to bumps and scratches. When unfolded, the TriFold is only 3.9mm thick – even thinner than the Galaxy Z Fold 7, which is about 4.2mm thick. Essentially, you're holding a device the size of a small tablet, but thinner than many regular phones.
Samsung sees this design as the next step in the evolution of foldable devices. "Building on years of innovation in foldable form factors, the Galaxy Z TriFold solves one of the longest-standing challenges in the mobile industry – achieving the perfect balance between portability, superior performance and productivity in one device," said T.M. Roh, President of Samsung and Head of Device eXperience. The idea is simple: a phone in your pocket, a convenient screen for work and entertainment on the table.
To support its large display, the TriFold uses a three-cell battery with a total capacity of 5600 mAh – the largest battery Samsung has ever installed in a foldable device. The cells are distributed in three panels, which prevents overloading the device on one side only and ensures even power distribution. Under the hood is the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy chipset – a flagship processor designed specifically for Samsung. The camera system is also top-notch: a 200MP main sensor, a 12MP ultra-wide-angle lens and a 10MP telephoto lens with a variable lens.
The Galaxy Z TriFold is more than just a new model. This is Samsung's attempt to set the tone for the next generation of foldable devices. While the price will be prohibitive for some, for others the TriFold will answer the question: "Is there finally a phone that can replace my tablet?"