Samsung launches its first multi-folding phone as competition from Chinese brands intensifies

Samsung Electronics has officially introduced its first multi-folding smartphone, the Galaxy Z TriFold, as it strives to keep up with the rapid advancements from its competitors. This highly anticipated device is set to hit the South Korean market on December 12, with plans to expand to additional regions, including China, Taiwan, Singapore, and the UAE. The U.S. release is scheduled for the first quarter of 2026, with further details to follow. The Galaxy Z TriFold will be available in a single black model, featuring 16GB of RAM and 512GB of storage, priced at 3,594,000 South Korean won, approximately $2,449. The innovative design includes two inward-folding hinges, transforming the phone into a 10-inch display, slightly smaller than the 11-inch screen of the 11th-generation iPad, and boasting a resolution of 2160 x 1584. When folded, the device measures 12.9 millimeters thick, which is a bit more than the Galaxy Z Fold6 at 12.1 mm and the Galaxy Z Fold7 at 8.9 mm. According to Liz Lee, associate director at Counterpoint Research, this initial release of the tri-fold model will be limited in quantity, as Samsung aims to gather valuable insights into durability, hinge design, and software performance before a broader rollout. As the competitive landscape is expected to shift significantly in 2026, particularly with Apple's anticipated entry into the foldable market, Samsung is positioning the TriFold as a pilot project to reinforce its leadership in technology. The TriFold's unique design allows multiple applications to run side by side on its three foldable panels, offering a desktop-like experience without requiring an additional display. Additionally, it features Samsung's largest battery capacity among its foldable lineup and supports rapid charging, reaching 50% battery in just 30 minutes. TM Roh, co-CEO of Samsung Electronics and head of the Device eXperience division, emphasized that the Galaxy Z TriFold represents years of refinement in foldable technology, striving to combine portability, performance, and productivity into a single device. Samsung has been at the forefront of folding smartphone technology since it launched its first foldable device in 2019. Despite a relatively small market, new entrants, especially from China, have begun to challenge Samsung's dominance in price and design. Notably, Huawei has recently announced its second-generation trifold phone for the Chinese market, measuring 12.8 mm when folded, while other brands like Honor have also begun to introduce foldable models internationally. Like other recent foldables from Samsung, the TriFold is rated IP48, providing water resistance up to 1.5 meters for up to 30 minutes, but it offers limited protection against dust.