Samsung Electronics today unveiled the Galaxy Z TriFold, its long-rumoured triple-folding smartphone, at an event in Seoul, announcing it as the latest addition to its leadership in next-generation form factors for the mobile AI era. Built on a decade of innovation in the foldable category, the Galaxy Z TriFold showcases Samsung’s most advanced engineering yet, featuring cutting-edge foldable technologies optimized for the unique demands of a multi-folding design.
According to the official Samsung Blog,”The Z TriFold is not just an incremental update; it is a declaration of technological dominance, featuring two complex hinges and a screen that unfolds into a near-square 10.5-inch AMOLED display, a full tablet experience that fits into a jacket pocket”.
According to TM Roh, President and Head of Mobile eXperience Business, “ It’s the convergence of the smartphone and the tablet, perfected”.
The Double-Hinge Design and Display Prowess
For years, patents hinted at Samsung’s multi-fold ambitions, and the Z TriFold delivers on the promise with the new FLEX Hinge Pro system. The device employs a unique “W-Fold” configuration, folding inwards twice to achieve a compact, traditional smartphone footprint. When fully closed, the Z TriFold presents a 6.2-inch cover screen (Dynamic AMOLED 2X, 120Hz) familiar territory for Galaxy Z Fold users.
The real magic happens upon unfolding. The device first opens to a large 8.5-inch inner screen, similar to the current Z Fold 6. A second, simultaneous outward fold then transforms the device into a massive 10.5-inch display. Samsung engineers stressed that advancements in Ultra-Thin Glass (UTG) and the application of a third-generation hydrophobic polymer layer have drastically reduced the visibility of both creases, a long-standing complaint in the foldable sector.
Despite housing two separate hinges and three display segments, Samsung managed to keep the device remarkably svelte. It measures 14.5mm when folded only marginally thicker than the original Galaxy Fold and weighs in at 320g.
“The greatest challenge was managing the thickness and durability of the two separate creases,” explained Dr. Lee Jiyoon, Head of Display Technology at the launch. “The FLEX Hinge Pro uses a modified waterdrop design with micro-gear components to minimize the screen’s bending radius while ensuring zero gap when closed, resulting in an IPX8 water resistance rating that matches our latest Z Fold 6.”
Powering the Next-Gen Multitasking
To utilize this vast canvas, Samsung is introducing Flex OS, a dedicated multi-tasking layer running atop Android 16. Flex OS allows users to run three full-sized applications simultaneously, utilizing the 10.5-inch display in a dynamic split-screen layout. A new “Canvas Mode” transforms the second fold into a persistent toolbar or keyboard area when the main screen is partially folded, ideal for drawing or editing documents.
Under the hood, the Z TriFold is powered by the custom Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 for Galaxy chipset, paired with 16GB of LPDDR6 RAM. Powering this massive display and high-performance hardware is an equally massive 6,500mAh triple-cell battery—a necessity, given the surface area and complexity. The device supports 65W wired charging and 45W wireless charging.
The camera system, often a point of compromise in foldable phones, has been significantly upgraded. It features the same 200MP main sensor found in the Galaxy S25 Ultra, along with a 12MP ultra-wide lens and a 10MP 5x optical periscope telephoto lens. This ensures the Z TriFold competes directly with flagship slab phones, removing one of the last remaining hurdles for mass adoption.
The Price of Innovation and Market Impact
The Z TriFold’s innovation comes with a hefty price tag. Samsung announced the starting price for the 512GB model will be $2,599, positioning it firmly as a niche, ultra-premium device far above the current Z Fold 6’s entry price. Pre-orders begin immediately, with retail availability slated for the end of December in select markets including the US, South Korea, and parts of Western Europe.
This price makes Samsung’s position as the undisputed leader in folding technology, challenging competitors like Xiaomi and Honor, which are also developing multi-fold patents. Second, it directly attacks the small-to-mid-sized tablet market. Why buy a standard 10-inch tablet when you can have a device that acts as a phone, a phablet, and a tablet?”
The inherent challenges of a multi-folding device including the complex repairability, battery management for such a large screen, and the sheer bulk compared to a non-folding flagship mean the Z TriFold faces a steep climb to mainstream acceptance. Yet, for a tech industry starved for genuine innovation, Samsung’s Z TriFold delivers a compelling vision of the future, daring users to imagine a world where the boundaries between phone and tablet truly disappear.
