The world of foldable smartphones, while initially revolutionary, has settled into a predictable rhythm of book-like and flip designs since Samsung ignited the trend in 2019. While concepts have teased more ambitious forms, the market has largely seen incremental refinements. However, a new dawn is breaking, promising not just slimmer profiles—like last year’s impressive Samsung Galaxy Z Fold7—but a genuine transformation. Enter Samsung’s “TriFold,” a device poised to redefine the very essence of a phone-tablet hybrid by truly expanding into a sprawling 10-inch tablet.
While Huawei may have edged out Samsung with its Mate XT in bringing a multi-panel foldable to market, the Galaxy Z TriFold carves its own distinct path with a slightly different design philosophy. Currently gracing select markets such as China, South Korea, and Singapore, Samsung has confirmed its imminent arrival in the US later this year. The price remains a closely guarded secret, though an estimated 3,594,000 South Korean won hints at a US sticker price potentially exceeding $2,500. Having had a brief, yet impactful, encounter with this triple-panel marvel at CES 2026, here’s an exclusive first look.
A New Era of Foldables: The TriFold Unveiled
The Galaxy Z TriFold, as its name boldly declares, employs a sophisticated trifold mechanism, distinguishing it from Huawei’s Z-fold approach. While Huawei’s design offers the flexibility of using one, two, or all three panels in an accordion style, Samsung’s TriFold transitions directly from a single, compact smartphone to a fully unfurled triple-panel tablet.
In its folded state, the 6.5-inch front screen presents a familiar smartphone experience, albeit with noticeably thicker bezels and a substantial 309-gram weight that demands acclimatization. The magic truly unfolds when you engage its dual titanium hinges. A swift flip of the right screen, followed by the inner layer to the left, reveals a breathtaking 10-inch display. To put this into perspective, the Galaxy Z Fold7’s 8-inch screen now feels modest in comparison. This isn’t just an enlarged phone; it’s an instant immersion into an Android tablet experience, surpassing any foldable Samsung has crafted before.
Beyond the Book: A True Tablet Experience
For years, “book-like” foldables promised a tablet experience, yet the marginal increase in screen real estate often fell short of delivering the utility of a dedicated slate. The TriFold shatters this ceiling. Its 10-inch canvas is larger than an iPad Mini, finally embodying the true definition of a “phablet.” The expansive screen empowers users to run three full-sized applications side-by-side, utilize a larger split-screen configuration, or immerse themselves in a single app stretched across the entire display. Configuring these setups proved intuitive and seamless during my hands-on, making the prospect of simultaneous multi-app usage genuinely appealing. While holding a 10-inch device can be inherently unwieldy, the TriFold’s remarkably slim profile in its unfolded state significantly mitigates this.
Engineering Marvel Meets Premium Specifications
When folded, the TriFold measures a mere 12.9 millimeters thick—just a hair chunkier than the previous generation Galaxy Z Fold6 (12.1 mm). The ability to pack a dramatically larger screen into a comparable thickness is a testament to Samsung’s engineering prowess, making its bulk surprisingly palatable. The device even incorporates a clever haptic feedback system: attempt to fold it incorrectly (right screen first), and the phone violently buzzes, displaying an on-screen alert to guide you to the correct sequence. While a determined user might still override this, it’s a thoughtful touch.
Beneath its exquisite exterior, the TriFold boasts top-tier hardware, aligning more closely with the flagship Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra. It features a formidable 200-megapixel main camera, powered by Qualcomm’s cutting-edge Snapdragon 8 Elite processor. The displays are fortified with ceramic glass, and an IP48 dust- and water-resistance rating provides an added layer of durability.
The Price of Innovation: A Niche for the Few?
Despite the undeniable excitement and technological brilliance, the TriFold remains, at its heart, a niche device. Nearly a decade into the foldable revolution, these handsets continue to command a premium, a trend exacerbated by Samsung’s own price hikes on its folding devices in 2025. In an era of economic uncertainty, the TriFold’s anticipated price tag makes it feel undeniably luxurious, a significant investment when a high-end smartphone and a decent tablet can be acquired for less.
Yet, it’s impossible not to be profoundly impressed by this engineering marvel. The Samsung Galaxy Z TriFold is a bold statement, a glimpse into a future where our devices truly adapt to our needs, seamlessly transitioning between pocketable phone and expansive workstation. It’s a shame, however, that its formidable capabilities will likely remain the privilege of a select few.
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