Samsung unveils first tri-fold smartphone to rival Huawei

• TriFold uses three panels to unfold into a 10-inch display, roughly 25% larger than Samsung’s latest Galaxy Z Fold 7.
• Analysts say the device is likely to function as a technology showcase given its high price and manufacturing complexity, with the broader foldables category expected to remain niche for now.
• Foldable phones are forecast to account for less than 2% of the global smartphone market in 2025 and under 3% by 2027.

Samsung Electronics unveiled its first multi-folding smartphone on Tuesday, the Galaxy Z TriFold, as the company seeks to reinforce its position in the premium foldable segment amid intensifying competition from Chinese rivals.

Priced at about 3.59 million won ($2,440), the TriFold uses three panels to unfold into a 253.1 mm (10-inch) display, roughly 25 per cent larger than Samsung’s latest Galaxy Z Fold 7. The device features Samsung’s largest battery among its flagship phones and supports super-fast charging to 50 per cent in 30 minutes. Production is based in South Korea.

“I believe the foldable market will continue to grow, and the TriFold in particular could act as a catalyst that drives more explosive growth in key parts of the segment,” said Alex Lim, executive vice president and head of Samsung Electronics’ Korea Sales & Marketing Office.

Lim added that the model targets enthusiasts rather than serving as a mass-volume driver, noting sharply rising component costs made pricing a “difficult decision.”

Global launch dates

Samsung said the TriFold will go on sale in South Korea on December 12, followed by launches in China, Singapore, Taiwan, and the United Arab Emirates before year-end. A US release is expected as early as the first quarter of 2026.

Analysts said the device is likely to function as a technology showcase given its high price and manufacturing complexity, with the broader foldables category expected to remain niche for now. Foldable phones are forecast to account for less than 2 per cent of the global smartphone market in 2025 and under 3 per cent by 2027, according to Counterpoint Research.

Still, Samsung’s shipment share in foldables surged to 64 per cent in the third quarter from 9 per cent in the prior quarter, highlighting the volatility driven by launch cycles. Counterpoint expects foldable shipments to grow 14 per cent this year, with annual growth in the 30 per cent range in 2026 and 2027 as Apple is widely anticipated to enter the segment.

Competition is set to intensify after Huawei introduced the industry’s first three-way folding phone in September and with Apple expected to debut a foldable next year.