Samsung has unveiled its first triple-folding smartphone, the Galaxy Z TriFold — a bold leap forward in mobile design. But what’s the real advantage of two folds instead of one, or none at all? It’s a question many consumers are likely to ask.

The answer becomes clear quickly. With two folds, a device that starts with the familiar width of a smartphone can expand into something closer to a full-sized tablet. That means more screen real estate to work with across the page, and a welcome departure from the square-shaped photos typical of single-fold devices.

“Through years of innovation in foldable form factors, Galaxy Z TriFold solves one of the mobile industry’s longest-standing challenges — delivering the perfect balance between portability, premium performance and productivity all in one device,” says Samsung co-CEO TM Roh.

“Galaxy Z TriFold now expands the boundaries of what’s possible for mobile work, creativity and connection.”

The Galaxy Z TriFold features a 10-inch display and measures just 12.9 mm thick when folded, slimming down to 3.9 mm at its thinnest point when fully opened. Despite its dual-fold complexity, it’s the slimmest model in Samsung’s Galaxy Fold lineup to date.

However, it’s also heavier than previous Samsung flagships, weighing in at 309 grams. As The Korea Herald notes, the weight difference is noticeable in side-by-side comparisons, making extended one-handed use impractical. Two-handed operation is a must.

“Nevertheless, the benefits of a large, immersive display are substantial. The unfolded screen delivers a near-tablet experience, while its ability to fold into a smartphone-sized body offers a level of versatility that conventional tablets cannot match.”

The Korea Herald highlights the seamless video playback on platforms like YouTube and other streaming services, powered by a 120Hz OLED screen — a standout feature for media consumption.

“The TriFold particularly excels in productivity. Supporting up to three apps simultaneously, it elevates Samsung’s multitasking capabilities. The layout resembles three smartphone screens aligned horizontally — providing sufficient space for document editing, video conferencing and messaging — all at once.”

” Furthermore, the folding sequence is fixed — right panel first, then left — and reversing the order triggers a system alert. While likely essential to the hardware design, this may be vexing to some users, particularly those accustomed to more intuitive folding motions.”

The Galaxy Z TriFold supports three apps running simultaneously on what looks like three smartphones running side-by-side.

Pricing is c US$2440 ($3709) so it’s not cheap.  But it’s close to Huawei’s first trifold model, Mate XT, which costs US$2550 ($3877). It was released three months ago.

Reports say Samsung will provide a one-time 50 percent discount on display repair costs, in cases of screen damage.

Nikkei Asia reports that according to analysts, Samsung wants to reaffirm its tech leadership ahead of the anticipated launch of Apple’s foldable phone next year.

“Nikkei Asia reported in September that Apple had held talks with suppliers about the possibility of building a test production line for a foldable iPhone in Taiwan, with an eye toward mass producing the device in India for release in 2026.”

Counterpoint Research Associate Director Liz Lee told Nikkei Asia that this first Trifold model was “a strategic pilot to validate durability, software maturity and consumer response ahead of a more refined and broader second-generation release”.

The TriFold will go on sale in South Korea from December 12.

(Samsung Galaxy Z TriFold smartphone image – Lee Sang-sub/The Korea Herald)