Samsung Plans to Launch a Trifold Phone This Year, Says Executive

While Samsung has been showing off mobile display concepts with three screens at trade events like CES for several years, it looks like it’s finally bringing one to market.

The new phone model failed to debut at Samsung’s Unpacked event this week in New York. But in a press conference following the launch of its latest foldable phones, Roh Tae-moon, the acting head of Samsung Electronics’ Device Experience Division reportedly confirmed that the company plans to launch a trifold phone by the end of the year.

“We are working hard on a trifold smartphone with the goal of launching it at the end of this year,” The Korea Times reported Roh as saying. “We are now focusing on perfecting the product and its usability, but we have not decided its name. As the product nears completion, we are planning to make a final decision soon.”

Roh seems to have confirmed what we know from a leaked UI animation last week, which first suggested Samsung was actively working on a trifold phone. Samsung didn’t immediately respond to a request for further comment.

An animated image from a software build of One UI 8 appears to show what some are dubbing a “Galaxy G Fold” device with three display panels, as reported by Android Authority earlier this month. The screens would be capable of displaying different information or working in unison as one large display. 

Some websites have gone into overdrive trying to uncover details on what its new device might include and how much it may cost. Phone Arena reported that according to a Korean media report, it could be priced at around $3,000. 

Chinese phone maker Huawei released a trifolding phone in February, the Mate XT Ultimate Design, for 19,999 yuan (roughly $2,787 at time of initial publication).

More evidence of a trifolding phone

In addition to the leaked animations, Samsung watchers have other evidence to point to suggesting the phone is on its way. 

“The rumors are indeed pretty strong for a couple of reasons,” says Vikas Sharma, a senior director of patent services at Quandary Peak Research. He cites 2021 and 2023 patents the company filed in the US, China, Europe and Korea as well as what the company teased in January. 

“The images in the patents looked very similar to the image teased in its Galaxy Unpacked event, which indicated a strong likelihood of a future trifold phone in the markets where those patents were filed,” Sharma says.

The Huawei phone, Sharma says, has so far seen demand in China, which could give Samsung another reason to release a competing product. A Samsung trifolding phone would have the advantage of more Android OS and Samsung apps. A $3,000 price point would likely keep the phone as a niche product, at least until it drops below $2,000, Sharma says.

As for what potential buyers could expect from a Samsung trifolding Galaxy phone, Sharma says that better multitasking capabilities and a bigger screen would bring the experience, “closer to that of a laptop. Additionally, the device will offer the convenience and portability of a mobile phone, easily fitting into a pocket when folding.”

CNET Principal Writer Katie Collins contributed to this article.