Samsung has launched its first tri-foldable smartphone, the Galaxy Z TriFold, positioning it as a strategic pilot project to assert technological leadership and innovate ahead of anticipated market shifts, rather than for immediate mass adoption.
The company’s goal with the new device, which carries a price tag of over $2,200 USD, is not widespread sales volume, according to Liz Lee, deputy director at Counterpoint Research. Instead, it serves as a testing ground for future multi-foldable designs.
This move comes as the smartphone market anticipates significant competitive shifts in 2026, including the expected entry of Apple into the foldable segment. Samsung appears to be testing advanced designs to maintain its edge.
The Galaxy Z TriFold will allow Samsung to evaluate durability, hinge design, and software performance while gathering real-world usage data before any broader commercialization.
Initial availability for the Galaxy Z TriFold begins in South Korea on December 12. Subsequent launches are planned for other markets, including China, Taiwan, Singapore, and the United Arab Emirates.
The device will arrive in the United States during the first quarter of 2026, with details expected closer to that time. Its availability in European countries remains unclear.
The Galaxy Z TriFold features two hinges that fold inward, opening to reveal a single 10-inch screen with a resolution of 2160 x 1584 pixels. It will be available in a single black version, equipped with 16 GB of memory and 512 GB of storage.
The device will sell for 3,594,000 South Korean won, which converts to approximately $2,269 USD.
When folded, the smartphone measures 12.9 millimeters thick. This makes it slightly thicker than Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold6 at 12.1 mm and the newer Galaxy Z Fold7 at 8.9 mm.
The three foldable panels enable users to run three applications simultaneously, arranged vertically side-by-side.
The Galaxy Z TriFold boasts the largest battery capacity among Samsung’s foldable models and supports super-fast charging, capable of reaching 50% battery life in thirty minutes.
It carries an IP48 rating, indicating resistance to water up to 1.5 meters for thirty minutes. However, its protection against dust is limited.
TM Roh, Samsung Electronics’ co-chief executive officer and head of the Device eXperience division, stated that the Galaxy Z TriFold is the culmination of years of work on foldable designs. The device aims to balance portability, performance, and productivity within a single unit.