Samsung's Galaxy Z Trifold Phone Is Unlike Anything I've Ever Seen - That's A Good Thing

Samsung

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ZDNET's cardinal takeaways

• Samsung has unveiled its adjacent foldable one, nan Galaxy Z TriFold.
• The instrumentality has a halfway outer surface that folds retired into a 10-inch canvas.
• The telephone is expected to motorboat successful Q1 2026.

After years of leaks and rumors, Samsung has unveiled its first tri-foldable phone, nan Galaxy Z TriFold. As expected, it's a handheld instrumentality that expands into a tablet, pinch a 10-inch elastic show that's astir arsenic ample arsenic Samsung's Galaxy Tabs -- isolated from nan Tab S11 Ultra; that point is fundamentally a laptop.

The Galaxy Z TriFold represents nan company's astir eager telephone motorboat yet, pinch Samsung confirming that nan upcoming instrumentality will characteristic a "flagship-level 200MP camera system," a 3.9mm thickness erstwhile unfolded, and a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy processor astatine nan helm. None of those specs is showstopping, per se, but they're commendable for what will beryllium considered a first-generation product.

Also: Google Pixel 10 Pro Fold vs. Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7: We compared both, and here's nan winner

Unlike different tri-foldable phones we've seen, including nan various conception devices Samsung has showcased astatine waste and acquisition shows complete nan years, nan Galaxy Z TriFold features a azygous show astatine nan halfway and 2 inward-folding sides that uncover a larger 10-inch surface connected nan back. This is compared to nan existing Z-shaped, accordion-like fold.

Samsung

This creation keeps nan soul show hidden erstwhile not successful use, reducing nan consequence of accidental scratches and damage.

What's conscionable arsenic absorbing are nan different durability stats -- namely, nan titanium hinge lodging and armor aluminum frame. Both aspects will beryllium captious successful keeping nan Galaxy Z TriFold protected capable to fend disconnected regular deterioration and tear, whether it's sliding into a lint-filled jean pouch aliases tumbling disconnected that java array that's ne'er not slippery. 

Also: I demoed this uncommon tri-foldable telephone astatine MWC - it gave maine glimpse astatine Samsung's adjacent large thing

The worldly prime present aligns pinch what Samsung has offered pinch its $1,999 Galaxy Z Fold 7 and $1,099 Galaxy S25 Edge, and it's a promising start.

The Samsung Galaxy Z TriFold measures astatine 3.9mm erstwhile unfolded, a tad thicker than Huawei's Mate XT Ultimate (3.6mm).

Samsung

Samsung besides claims that nan Galaxy Z TriFold will characteristic nan company's biggest artillery ever successful a folding shape factor. You'll person to return that pinch a atom of salt, arsenic nan existent grounds location is astatine a specified 4,400mAh. 

Since this is simply a 10-inch surface we're talking about, here's to hoping Samsung packs thing overmuch larger this clip around. Huawei managed to fresh 5,600mAh capacity successful its tri-foldable phone released earlier this year. Can (and will) Samsung do better?

Also: I tested Huawei's $3,600 tri-foldable telephone - now I'm wondering why Samsung hasn't made this yet

We'll person to hold and see, arsenic nan institution has announced that nan Galaxy Z TriFold will motorboat successful nan US sometime successful Q1 2026. We whitethorn spot thing astatine nan Consumer Electronics Show (CES) successful early January, aliases moreover astatine its adjacent Unpacked arena soon after. 

What's definite is that nan Galaxy Z TriFold is positioned to redefine what a foldable telephone tin be, forcing nan full manufacture to rethink its strategy for nan adjacent procreation of mobile devices. The shape is group for a monolithic reveal, and only clip will show if Samsung is fresh to present its adjacent large point -- and whether aliases not consumers are fresh to walk connected it.