.Samsung Introduces Its First Multi-Fold Phone Amid Growing Competition from Chinese Brands

Samsung Electronics announced on Monday the launch of its first multi‑folding smartphone, stepping up its pace as rivals accelerate their own foldable roadmaps.

The long‑awaited “Galaxy Z TriFold” will debut in South Korea on Dec. 12, with subsequent rollouts planned for China, Taiwan, Singapore and the United Arab Emirates, according to a press release.

U.S. availability is slated for the first quarter of 2026, with further specifications to follow. The device ships as a single black model equipped with 16 GB of RAM and 512 GB of storage, priced at 3,594,000 won (approximately $2,449).

The TriFold unfolds via two inward‑folding hinges into a 10‑inch display—just shy of the 11‑inch screen on the latest iPad—offering a 2160 × 1584 pixel resolution.

When folded, the device measures 12.9 mm (0.5 in) in thickness, marginally thicker than the Galaxy Z Fold 6 (12.1 mm) but thinner than earlier tri‑fold concepts.

“Samsung’s first tri‑fold model will ship in very limited volume; scale is not the objective,” Liz Lee explained. “With competitive dynamics set to shift materially in 2026, especially with Apple’s expected entry, Samsung is using this device as a technology‑leadership signal.”

Lee added that Samsung is treating the TriFold as a durability, hinge‑design, and software performance testbed, gathering real‑world user data before any broader commercial push.

The three foldable panels can run three apps vertically side‑by‑side and feature a desktop‑like mode without the need for a separate monitor.

The TriFold also houses Samsung’s largest battery among its foldables and supports ultra‑fast charging—reaching 50 % capacity in roughly 30 minutes.

TM Roh, recently appointed co‑CEO of Samsung Electronics and head of the Device eXperience division, said the TriFold reflects years of iterative foldable engineering, aiming to balance portability, performance, and productivity in a single form factor.

Since unveiling its first foldable in 2019, Samsung has remained the market’s de‑facto pioneer, but the segment is heating up. Chinese manufacturers such as Huawei, Honor, and Xiaomi are delivering competitive price points and increasingly thin form factors, tightening margin pressures across the board.

In September, telecom giant Huawei rolled out a second‑generation trifold phone for the Chinese market, measuring 12.8 mm when folded—illustrating how quickly rivals are narrowing the thickness gap.

Honor, spun off from Huawei in 2020 to sidestep U.S. sanctions, has also begun shipping foldables internationally, expanding the competitive set beyond Samsung.

The TriFold carries an IP48 rating, offering water resistance up to 1.5 m for 30 minutes while providing limited dust protection—a standard that aligns with Samsung’s recent foldable lineup.

Market Context and Business Implications

According to market research firms, the global foldable smartphone market—valued at roughly $7 billion in 2024—is projected to exceed $20 billion by 2027, driven by consumer appetite for larger screens without sacrificing pocketability. Samsung currently commands approximately 70 % of that share, but its lead is eroding as Huawei, Xiaomi, and emerging players invest heavily in hinge technology and cost‑efficient production.

R&D expenses for foldables have surged. Samsung’s device‑experience division alone has allocated upwards of $2 billion annually to hinge engineering, ultra‑thin glass development, and software optimization. The TriFold, positioned as a limited‑run pilot, allows Samsung to amortize a portion of those costs while collecting usage data that will inform the next generation of mass‑market foldables.

Apple’s rumored entry into the foldable arena, likely timed for 2026, adds a strategic dimension. Apple’s brand equity could shift consumer expectations, compelling Samsung to double‑down on differentiation—particularly in durability, battery life, and multi‑tasking capabilities. By releasing the TriFold ahead of Apple’s debut, Samsung seeks to set a performance benchmark that it can claim ownership of, reinforcing its narrative as the “technology leader” in the segment.

Supply‑chain considerations also play a pivotal role. The TriFold’s larger battery and dual‑hinge design rely on specialized suppliers such as LG Chem (for high‑capacity cells) and Corning (for the ultra‑thin flexible glass). Securing long‑term contracts with these partners mitigates risk but also locks Samsung into a cost structure that could be challenged if competitors succeed in sourcing lower‑priced alternatives.

From a financial perspective, the TriFold’s premium price tag—roughly $2,450—places it in a niche segment that commands higher margins but limited volume. Samsung’s strategy appears to be one of “high‑margin, low‑volume” testing, preserving overall profitability while it fine‑tunes the economics for a future, more scalable foldable model.

In summary, the Galaxy Z TriFold represents both a technological showcase and a strategic market maneuver. It allows Samsung to gather critical data, demonstrate leadership ahead of Apple’s anticipated foray, and maintain its dominance in a rapidly diversifying foldable ecosystem.