Samsung Unveils Its First Triple-Folding Smartphone: Galaxy Z TriFold

Samsung has taken the wraps off its first triple-folding smartphone, the Galaxy Z TriFold, at an event today, signalling the company’s next big bet in foldable hardware. The device, which folds in a zig-zag “accordion” style, is aimed at users who want a tablet-sized screen that can still slip into a pocket.

What Samsung Announced Today

Unveiled this afternoon, the Galaxy Z TriFold is Samsung’s first commercial handset with three display segments and two hinges. Folded, it’s roughly the size and thickness of a chunky smartphone; unfolded, it opens into a near 8–9-inch tablet-class display, depending on the final regional configuration.

Samsung highlighted several key hardware details:

Triple-fold design: Two inward-folding hinges create three panels, allowing multiple configurations: fully folded, partially folded for “laptop” or “tent” modes, and fully flat as a tablet.
Large flexible OLED: A single continuous OLED panel spans the three sections, with Samsung claiming reduced crease visibility compared to its existing Z Fold line.
Flagship internals: A top-tier mobile chipset (expected to be a Snapdragon 8-series or equivalent), up to 16GB RAM and up to 1TB storage, depending on market.
Multi-cell battery: A split battery design spread across the three segments, with fast charging and wireless charging support.
Camera system: A triple rear camera array plus under-display or punch-hole selfie cameras, optimised for both phone and tablet orientations.

On the software side, Samsung is extending its foldable-focused interface ideas:

Adaptive layouts: Apps can automatically reflow from a narrow phone-style layout to a multi-column tablet layout as you unfold.
Three-way multitasking: Up to three apps can be pinned side by side, each occupying a panel, with drag-and-drop between them.
Flex modes: When partially folded, one panel can act as a keyboard or control surface while another shows content, similar to a mini laptop.

Samsung says the Galaxy Z TriFold will launch in select markets first, with wider availability “later this year”. UK pricing has not been formally confirmed, but the company hinted it will sit above the Galaxy Z Fold line, making it one of Samsung’s most expensive mainstream phones to date.

Why This Matters for Everyday Users

For most people, the Galaxy Z TriFold is less about an immediate upgrade and more about where smartphones could be heading. The triple-fold form factor is designed to give you:

Tablet space without carrying a tablet: When fully opened, you get a display closer to an iPad mini or small Android tablet, useful for streaming, reading, and productivity.
More flexible multitasking: Having three distinct panels makes it easier to run messaging, email, and a browser side by side without constant app switching.
New use cases: In theory, one panel could be used as a dedicated game controller, drawing pad, or editing timeline while the others show content.

However, there are trade-offs. Triple-fold hardware is inherently more complex, which usually means higher prices, more moving parts that can fail, and a learning curve as you figure out which folding mode works best for which task.

How It Compares to Existing Foldables

Until now, Samsung’s foldable range has centred on two main ideas: the phone-to-tablet Galaxy Z Fold and the clamshell Galaxy Z Flip. The TriFold sits above both, effectively trying to merge a small tablet, a phone, and a mini laptop into one device.

Compared with the Z Fold, the TriFold’s main advantages are likely to be:

More screen real estate: A wider, more square-like canvas for productivity and media.
More natural “panel” separation: Each segment can act like its own mini-screen, which could feel more intuitive for multitasking than a single wide panel.

On the downside, the TriFold will almost certainly be thicker and heavier than a standard flagship phone, and probably chunkier than the Z Fold when fully folded. Durability will be under particular scrutiny in the UK, where rain, dust and pocket lint are everyday realities. Samsung claims improved hinge sealing and a higher-rated fold count, but real-world testing will be the decider.

What UK Buyers Should Do Now

If you are in the UK and curious about the Galaxy Z TriFold, there are a few practical steps to take before considering a purchase:

Wait for UK pricing and carrier deals: Expect a premium price tag. Check whether UK networks plan to offer trade-in bonuses or extended warranties, which are especially relevant for foldables.
Look out for hands-on reviews: Pay attention to comments on hinge feel, crease visibility, battery life and app optimisation. Triple-fold software support will matter as much as the hardware.
Consider your actual use: If you mostly browse social media and take photos, a standard flagship or existing foldable may offer better value. The TriFold is likely to appeal most to people who work on the go, multitask heavily, or watch a lot of video.
Check repair and insurance options: Before committing, see what Samsung Care+ or third-party insurers will charge to cover a triple-fold device.

The Bottom Line

Samsung’s Galaxy Z TriFold marks a new phase in foldable phones, pushing beyond the now-familiar single-hinge designs. It is unlikely to be a mass-market best-seller on day one, but it sets the tone for where high-end mobile hardware could be heading over the next few years.

For UK consumers, the TriFold is one to watch rather than an automatic upgrade. If Samsung can deliver on durability, software polish and sensible pricing, today’s announcement could be the start of a new category rather than just another experimental flagship.