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Samsung Electronics is set to launch the ‘Galaxy Z TriFold,’ a smartphone featuring dual folding capabilities, on December 5. Building upon foldable phones that fold the display in half, this device offers a fully extended screen size comparable to a tablet PC. Although Samsung Electronics pioneered the market by introducing the world’s first foldable phone in 2019, it has recently lost its leading position due to the aggressive supply strategies of Chinese companies. Samsung intends to increase its advantage over rivals and reclaim its position as a leader in the foldable phone market with the TriFold, highlighting its advanced technological capabilities.

◇TriFold Smartphone to Be Released Next Month

As per the tech industry reports on the 12th, Samsung Electronics has internally chosen to launch the Galaxy Z TriFold (provisional name) on the 5th of next month, with final preparations underway, including a public launch event. The company is anticipated to reveal the product’s details and features for the first time on that day and promptly initiate sales. The TriFold smartphone was officially confirmed by Roh Tae-moon, acting head of Samsung Electronics’ Device eXperience (DX) Division, who mentioned in July, “We anticipate launching the product this year.” A source from the tech industry noted, “Despite earlier predictions that a year-end release might be challenging, the decision was made to launch in early next month to ensure initial sales volume within the year.”

Samsung’s TriFold smartphone features a central rear external display, with the left and right screens folding inward. Once the left screen is folded over the center, the right screen—which houses the rear camera—is then folded over it. The external display has a size of 6.5 inches, comparable to the Galaxy Z Fold series, but when fully opened, it transforms into a 10-inch large display. This is broader than the Galaxy Z Fold 7 (8 inches) and offers a tablet-style aspect ratio, with a more extended horizontal dimension than vertical. The device measures approximately 4.2 mm in thickness when unfolded, similar to the Fold 7, and about 14 mm when folded. Even though it includes three screens, it is thinner than earlier foldable models. The battery is anticipated to be the biggest in Samsung’s foldable phone lineup, with a capacity of 5,600 milliampere-hours (mAh).

The TriFold is reportedly priced at about 3,000 dollars (around 4.4 million Korean won), with an initial delivery of 20,000 to 30,000 units. Instead of aiming for high sales numbers, Samsung’s approach is to emphasize its technological advancements and luxury image. The release is expected to be available only in Korea and certain Asian nations, with sales likely to focus on unlocked, carrier-free versions. A source from the tech industry stated, “Samsung doesn’t set high sales goals internally. The main objective is to showcase technological leadership through a highly refined TriFold design and assess consumer reaction.” Samsung also showcased the TriFold prototype at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in Gyeongju last month.

Samsung aims to generate new demand in the stagnant smartphone market by launching devices with various form factors. Last month, it stepped into the extended reality (XR) market with the release of the ‘Galaxy XR’ headset in South Korea and the United States. In its third-quarter financial report, Samsung mentioned, “We will concentrate on boosting premium sales by pioneering form factor innovations, like the newly introduced Galaxy XR and the upcoming TriFold, utilizing the unique competitive advantage of the Galaxy ecosystem.”

◇Foldable Phone ‘Three Kingdoms’

Samsung’s TriFold is anticipated to challenge Huawei. Huawei introduced the Mate XT, its first TriFold phone, in September of last year, and then launched the next version, ‘Mate XTs,’ in September this year. The base model starts at around 15,000 yuan (approximately 3 million Korean won), a decrease from the previous model’s 19,999 yuan (around 4 million Korean won). In contrast to Samsung’s design, Huawei’s folds one side outwards and the other inwards. Experts believe Samsung’s TriFold may have an advantage due to its improved technology, as Huawei’s model had issues with durability.

Apple is also expected to introduce its first foldable iPhone next year, with the TriFold acting as a test for Samsung’s dominance in foldable technology. According to market research company Canalys, Samsung had a 20% share in the foldable phone market during the first half of this year, falling behind Huawei’s 48%. A source within the tech industry stated, “Although the TriFold’s high cost and limited availability mean it won’t gain substantial market share, it will provide Samsung—originator of the foldable phone market—with a chance to reassert its technological superiority.”