Samsung's Galaxy Z Tri Fold Unfolds into 10-Inch Tablet

Samsung Electronics introduced the ‘Galaxy Z Tri Fold,’ a smartphone with a dual-folding design, on the 2nd. This product represents the culmination of Samsung’s foldable technology development since launching the ‘Galaxy Fold’ in 2019. When folded, it resembles a standard bar-shaped smartphone, but when unfolded, it reveals a large screen comparable to a tablet PC. As Chinese companies increase their share of the foldable phone market and Apple plans to release its own foldable phone next year, Samsung aims to highlight its technological capabilities through this new form factor and maintain its leadership in the foldable market.

Folds into a Phone, Unfolds into a Tablet

The Galaxy Z Tri Fold features an external screen of 6.5 inches, typical for a smartphone. However, when fully unfolded, it transforms into a 10-inch screen that rivals a tablet PC. The screen is wider than the existing Galaxy Z Fold 7 (8 inches), with a longer horizontal aspect ratio similar to a tablet. The device uses an 'in-folding' method, where both sides of the screen fold inward. This design is optimized for protecting the main display. The part with the external display on the back moves to the center. The left screen folds first, followed by the right screen, which includes the rear camera. If the right side is folded first, the device provides alerts and vibrations to notify the user.

The display thickness measures 3.9 mm when unfolded, making it the thinnest among all Galaxy foldable phones. When folded, the thickness is 12.9 mm, thinner than the Galaxy Z Fold 5 (13.4 mm) released in 2023. It is even thinner than single-fold foldable phones. Weighing 309 grams, it is approximately 100 grams heavier than other Samsung foldable phones. The application processor (AP), acting as the smartphone's brain, is equipped with Qualcomm’s Galaxy-specific Snapdragon 8 Elite, the same as the Galaxy Z Fold 7. It features the largest battery in the Galaxy foldable series, with a 5,600 mAh capacity, and supports up to 45W ultra-fast charging, a first in the Galaxy Z series.

During testing, the Galaxy Z Tri Fold showcased productivity and immersion benefits from its large screen. Users could open three apps—internet, email, and memo—side by side for multitasking. Watching YouTube videos offered an immersive experience similar to a tablet PC without needing to rotate the screen. Mobile games could also be enjoyed on the spacious display. When unfolded, the weight distribution was stable, making the 309-gram weight feel unnoticeable. Even holding it with one hand posed no issue for content viewing. However, when folded, it definitely felt heavier than a regular phone.

Samsung Electronics will release the Galaxy Z Tri Fold domestically on the 12th. It plans to launch it in China, Taiwan, Singapore, the UAE, and the U.S. afterward. The device will be available in a single model called ‘Crafted Black,’ priced at 3,594,000 Korean won.

Accelerating Foldable Competition

The Galaxy Z Tri Fold is expected to face challenges in mass sales due to its high price range and initial shipment volume of only a few thousand units. For this reason, the tech industry views Samsung’s move as an attempt to demonstrate its overwhelming technological prowess and showcase the gap with latecomers in the market. According to market research firm TrendForce, Samsung Electronics’ market share in the foldable phone sector is projected to decline from 45.2% last year to 35.4% this year. Huawei, the second-place Chinese company, holds 34.3%, closely following after preempting the market last year with the ‘Mate XT,’ a tri-fold phone that folds in a Z-shape. The 3rd to 5th places—Honor, Motorola, and Xiaomi—are also Chinese companies. Apple plans to release its first foldable phone next year. A source from the tech industry stated, “Huawei’s tri-fold product has faced durability issues, and Apple’s market entry itself is late,” adding, “Samsung is showcasing technical perfection to fend off the pursuit of latecomers.”

There is also analysis suggesting that the tri-fold form factor will expand the foldable phone market. Lim Seong-taek, Samsung Electronics Korea Head Vice President, said on that day, “I believe the Galaxy Z Tri Fold could be a trigger for explosive growth in the foldable phone market,” adding, “Because we have the capability built over many years of making foldables, we will continue to lead the market and provide consumers with satisfying experiences.”