Samsung Galaxy Z Tri Fold Hands-On Review: The Ultimate Foldable [2025]

Folding phones have been around since 2019, but they've felt stuck. Same two designs: the book fold and the flip. Same premium prices. Same skepticism from people who remember plastic screens cracking on a Thursday.

Then Samsung showed up at CES 2026 with something different. The Galaxy Z Tri Fold.

This isn't just another folding phone. It's a phone that unfolds into a tablet. Then unfolds again. Three panels. Ten inches of screen. An engineering flex that made me forget about durability concerns for a solid five minutes.

I spent some time with it at the show, and here's what I learned: Samsung finally built the device everyone's been asking for since foldables first shipped. The problem? It costs around $2,500. Maybe more. And it's only available in China, South Korea, and Singapore right now, though Samsung plans a US release this year.

So let's talk about what it actually feels like to hold and use a phone that transforms into a tablet. Because the promise of foldable phones has always been bigger screens without the bulk. The Tri Fold actually delivers on that.

TL; DR

• Three panels unfold to 10 inches: Significantly larger than the Galaxy Z Fold 7's 8-inch display, offering a true tablet experience.
• Expensive but impressive engineering: Around $2,500 price tag reflects premium materials (titanium hinges, ceramic glass, Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite).
• Smart multi-app support: Run three apps simultaneously across the sprawling display with intuitive gesture controls.
• Niche product for power users: At this price point, it's a luxury device competing against buying a phone and tablet separately.
• Coming to US in 2026: Currently available in China, South Korea, and Singapore with broader rollout planned.

The Samsung Galaxy Z TriFold features a 10-inch display when fully unfolded, a powerful Snapdragon 8 Elite processor, and a 200MP camera, making it a high-end, feature-rich foldable smartphone.

The Trifold Design: Three Panels, One Philosophy

Samsung's approach to the trifold differs fundamentally from Huawei's Mate XT, which launched first. Where Huawei used an accordion-style triple fold that lets you use one, two, or all three panels in various configurations, Samsung went vertical. You're either in phone mode with a single 6.5-inch display, or you unfold fully into tablet mode with the complete 10-inch canvas.

This simplified design has advantages and trade-offs. The advantage: clarity. You know what you're getting at any moment. The trade-off: less flexibility than Huawei's approach, which lets you use intermediate positions that might be more comfortable for certain tasks.

The 6.5-inch front screen feels like a normal smartphone at first touch. It's got thicker bezels than modern flagships, which is unavoidable with a foldable design. But what surprises you is the weight. At 309 grams, it's heavier than you'd expect. To put that in perspective, the iPhone 16 Pro Max weighs 230 grams. You'll notice the extra heft in your pocket, and you'll definitely notice it when you're holding it one-handed during scrolling.

Flip the right panel open first, then fold the left panel back on itself, and suddenly you're holding a 10-inch display. This screen is genuinely bigger than an iPad Mini, which traditionally measures 7.6 inches. The jump from a typical phone to this device isn't incremental. It's transformative.

Thickness: The Impressive Spec That Actually Matters

Here's where the engineering gets interesting. When the Tri Fold is fully unfolded, it measures 12.9 millimeters thick. When it's folded up tight, you're holding something that's virtually the same thickness as the Galaxy Z Fold 6, which measured 12.1 millimeters.

Think about that for a second. The Fold 6 has an 8-inch display when unfolded. The Tri Fold has a 10-inch display. Same thickness when folded. That's not a minor optimization. That's the kind of engineering achievement that justifies Samsung's development costs.

Why does this matter? Because a thicker phone in your pocket feels cheap. Bulky. Compromise-filled. The Tri Fold's slimness makes the 309-gram weight feel more acceptable. You're not carrying around a brick. You're carrying around a remarkably compact tablet that also functions as a phone.

There are two titanium hinges running along the length of the device. You can actually see the hinge mechanisms when the panels are partially open, which is either a satisfying display of precision engineering or a visual reminder of complexity, depending on your perspective. The hinges feel smooth. They don't wobble. And Samsung built in an intelligent safety system: if you start folding it the wrong way, the phone vibrates aggressively and throws an error message on screen telling you to reverse course.

The Galaxy Z TriFold is priced significantly higher than the Z Fold7, reflecting its premium positioning and additional features. Estimated data for US pricing.

The Display Experience: Finally, a True Tablet Screen

Samsung's been making folding phones for seven years. The Galaxy Z Fold 7, released just before the Tri Fold launch, has an 8-inch inner display. That's a legitimate upgrade from the original 8-inch Fold, which was already considered large.

But here's the honest truth: an 8-inch display never quite felt like a tablet. It felt like a large phone. Websites looked compressed. Productivity apps felt cramped. You'd open a spreadsheet and still need to zoom or scroll constantly.

The 10-inch Tri Fold changes that conversation entirely. Open a spreadsheet and you can see actual columns. Open a browser and articles feel readable without constant zooming. Open a productivity app and you can run split-screen with three apps simultaneously, or spread a single app across the entire display.

Samsung's One UI interface has gotten good at managing this space. The software recognizes when you're unfolded and automatically reorients to take advantage of the extra real estate. Drag an app to the right side, another to the left, and a third slides in between. It works intuitively. You don't need a manual.

The displays use ceramic glass protection. It's harder than Gorilla Glass, theoretically more resistant to scratches and impact. Whether that matters in real-world use is another question entirely. You're still touching a folding screen, and folding screens have a track record of becoming problematic after a year or two.

Camera Hardware: Flagship Specs on a Foldable

Samsung equipped the Tri Fold with camera specs that match the Galaxy S25 Ultra. That means a 200-megapixel main sensor on the back. It means optical image stabilization. It means you're not making sacrifices in the camera department because the phone happens to fold.

This is worth noting because previous folding phones sometimes cut corners on imaging. They'd use last-generation sensors or remove telephoto optics. Samsung didn't do that here. You get the same premium camera system whether you're buying the Tri Fold or the ultra-flagship phone.

In practical terms, this means photos come out sharp, with accurate colors and solid detail. The 200-megapixel sensor captures enough information that cropping or digital zoom doesn't immediately destroy image quality. In low light, the optical stabilization and larger sensor size mean you're getting better results than you would on a non-flagship device.

The challenge, though, is that the camera bump exists on a device that folds and unfolds repeatedly. Every crease, every mechanical stress on that hinge system, creates risk for misalignment. So far, early reports suggest Samsung's engineering holds up. But give it six months and we'll know more.

Processing Power: Snapdragon 8 Elite Under the Hood

Qualcomm's Snapdragon 8 Elite powers the Tri Fold. This is Qualcomm's top-tier processor, the same chip running the Galaxy S25 Ultra and other flagship Android phones released in 2025.

In practice, this means everything is fast. Apps launch instantly. Scrolling is smooth. Gaming is smooth. Multi-tasking across three apps simultaneously doesn't cause stutter or lag. You won't notice the processor unless you're doing something extreme, which is exactly how it should be.

The real question is longevity. Will the processor feel fast two years from now? Almost certainly. Mobile processors have gotten good enough that even flagships from 2022 feel snappy today. The 8 Elite should remain capable for the duration of your ownership.

What matters more is the software support timeline. Samsung committed to seven years of major Android updates and security patches across their recent flagships. The Tri Fold should receive the same commitment. That's a meaningful promise when you're paying $2,500.

Estimated data shows foldable phones hold a small market share compared to traditional smartphones, highlighting their niche status.

Durability: IP48 Rating and Practical Concerns

The Tri Fold has an IP48 dust and water resistance rating. Let's parse that. IP ratings have two numbers: dust resistance and water resistance. The "4" means protection against objects larger than 1 millimeter. The "8" means protection against continuous immersion in water beyond 1 meter.

In human terms: you can submerge this phone in water for extended periods and it shouldn't fail. You can also take it to the beach without worrying too much about sand destroying the speaker.

But here's the caveat that matters for a foldable: the hinges are the weak point. Water can't get to the battery or processor easily because of sealed compartments. But water getting into the hinge mechanisms? That's a real concern. Samsung's engineering presumably addresses this, but field reports from owners will be more reliable than specs.

The ceramic glass display protection is a practical advantage. Ceramic glass is harder than standard Gorilla Glass, which means it resists scratches better. This matters for a folding screen that you're handling multiple times daily. The more scratches you accrue, the more you'll notice them, and the more annoyed you'll feel about your $2,500 investment.

Software: One UI and Multi-App Mastery

Samsung's One UI has evolved significantly since folding phones launched. The interface recognizes the Tri Fold's expanded display and automatically adapts. Rotate from phone mode to tablet mode and apps reflow intelligently.

The multi-app experience is where this shines. Drag an app to the right side of the screen, and it snaps into place occupying roughly one-third of the display. Drag another to the left, and it takes the other third. A third app can occupy the middle. All three run simultaneously, all three stay responsive. It's genuinely useful for multitasking in ways that phone screens never enable.

Is this a common use case? Not for most people. But for professionals, creative types, or anyone who works with multiple windows regularly, this is productivity gold. Video editors reviewing footage while adjusting color grades while checking email. Traders monitoring multiple market feeds simultaneously. Developers debugging code while referencing documentation while running tests.

Samsung's gesture controls make managing this multi-app interface intuitive. Swiping from the sides accesses app switchers. Long-pressing the home button surfaces recent apps. It feels natural after a few minutes of use.

One thing worth noting: Samsung's bloatware has gotten better. The Tri Fold doesn't come loaded with dozens of pre-installed apps you'll never use. But it's also not pure Android. It's Samsung's vision of Android, which some users prefer and others find unnecessary.

The Comparison: Tri Fold vs. Alternatives

Let's be practical about context. The Tri Fold costs around $2,500. What else could you buy with that money?

You could buy a flagship Android phone (Galaxy S25 Ultra,

You could buy the Huawei Mate XT, which launched first and uses a different accordion-style fold that arguably offers more flexibility.

You could buy last year's Galaxy Z Fold 7 and a high-end tablet and save $700 while getting proven hardware that's already been in people's hands for a year.

The Tri Fold isn't a rational purchase for most people. It's an aspirational device. A showcase of what's possible when you're willing to spend significantly above market rates and accept first-generation foldable tech trade-offs.

The TriFold matches the Galaxy S25 Ultra in camera specs, unlike previous foldables which often compromised on features. Estimated data based on typical flagship specs.

The Foldable Market Reality: Luxury, Not Necessity

Folding phones have been around for seven years. In that time, they've gone from "impossible" to "possible but fragile" to "actually decent." The Tri Fold represents the "actually impressive" phase.

Yet the market for folding phones remains niche. Samsung sells folding phones in the millions, which sounds substantial until you realize they sell iPhones in the hundreds of millions. Folding phones are specialty items for people with specific needs or specific budgets.

The Tri Fold pushes this reality to an extreme. At $2,500, it's not competing for mainstream buyers. It's competing for power users, early adopters, and people who simply want the newest, most impressive piece of tech.

And you know what? That's fine. Not every product needs to be for everyone. The Tri Fold is genuinely innovative. It solves real problems for specific users. It demonstrates engineering excellence. But let's not pretend it's changing the industry.

Folding phones will eventually become mainstream. Battery tech will improve, manufacturing costs will decrease, and they'll hit price points where they make economic sense for regular consumers. But that's probably still five to ten years away.

Until then, the Tri Fold exists in the premium experimentation space, alongside foldables like the Z Fold 7 and Huawei Mate XT. It's a proof of concept. An engineering showcase. A very expensive beta test.

Hands-On Impressions: What It Actually Feels Like

When you first hold a folded Tri Fold, the weight surprises you. 309 grams is legitimately heavy. Your wrist notices. Your hand tires slightly faster than it would with a regular phone.

But the materials make it feel intentional. The titanium hinges aren't cutting corners. The ceramic glass display protection isn't cheap material. Everything about the Tri Fold screams "engineered premium device."

Unfolding it is satisfying. The pivot point feels smooth. There's no wobble. The panels align perfectly without forcing or grinding. You get the sense that Samsung stressed-tested this thousands of times before launch.

Once fully unfolded, the weight becomes less noticeable because you're using both hands or setting it down on a surface. It's approximately the weight of an iPad Mini, and similar proportions. If you've held an iPad Mini, you know how it feels.

The fold sequence needs to be learned. There is, genuinely, a correct way to fold it. Start with the right panel first, then fold the left panel back onto it. Do it backwards and the phone vibrates aggressively and prompts you to correct course. It's a reasonable safety mechanism, though some people will ignore it and force the fold anyway, which could damage the hinges.

After maybe ten unfolds and refolds, the motion becomes natural. You stop thinking about it. It's muscle memory.

The real revelation, though, is the screen. The 10-inch display is legitimately impressive. Websites look correct. Text is readable without zooming. Productivity apps work without constant adjustment. For anyone who's used an 8-inch folding phone, this is a meaningful step up.

Performance in Real Use: Apps and Productivity

Samsung demonstrated multi-app functionality during my hands-on session. Running three apps simultaneously across the sprawling display works as advertised. A web browser on the left, an email client on the right, and a note-taking app in the middle. All responsive. All updating simultaneously.

Is this practical for daily use? For some people, absolutely. Anyone working on a laptop can recognize productivity value in having multiple windows visible at once. Traders, analysts, programmers, designers, writers doing research. The Tri Fold solves real problems for these users.

For someone using it as a standard phone? Less relevant. Checking email, scrolling social media, watching videos. These tasks don't benefit meaningfully from a 10-inch display. They benefit from it, sure, but the value is incremental rather than transformational.

The key insight is that the Tri Fold creates two distinct use cases: phone mode for casual use, tablet mode for productivity. You're not carrying a tablet that occasionally makes calls. You're carrying a phone that sometimes turns into a laptop replacement.

The TriFold is the most expensive option at $2,500, while alternatives offer more value for less money. Estimated data based on typical market prices.

Battery and Charging: The Necessary Trade-offs

Samsung didn't announce specific battery capacity during the CES reveal, which is telling. The company traditionally specs battery size when it's competitive. Silence usually means the battery is adequate but not exceptional.

With a 10-inch display consuming power when unfolded, plus the overhead of running three apps simultaneously, battery life probably measures in the 8-10 hour range under moderate use. That's respectable but not exceptional. A Galaxy S25 Ultra would likely last 12-14 hours under similar conditions.

Charging speed wasn't discussed either, which probably means it matches the Z Fold 7's 25W charging. That's slow compared to many modern phones, but Samsung's approach has always been conservative on charging speeds, presumably prioritizing battery longevity over quick refills.

For a $2,500 device, faster charging would've been appreciated. Even 45W would've made a difference. But Samsung's engineering philosophy apparently favors durability over convenience, which is a valid trade-off for a device this expensive.

Price Reality: Premium Positioning and Availability

Samsung listed the South Korean price as 3,594,000 won, which converts to approximately

That puts it in direct competition with high-end laptops, specialty camera equipment, and multiple years of subscription services. It's a significant investment.

For context, the Galaxy Z Fold 7 started at

Availability is currently limited to China, South Korea, and Singapore. Samsung plans US availability sometime in 2025, though exact launch timing wasn't confirmed. This staggered rollout lets Samsung refine supply chains, gather user feedback, and measure demand before committing to worldwide distribution.

The Trifold vs. Huawei Mate XT: Architectural Differences

Huawei's Mate XT launched first, but it uses a different foldable architecture. Instead of a vertical trifold like Samsung's, Huawei's design is accordion-style. It folds left-right-left, allowing you to use intermediate positions with just one or two panels open.

Huawei's approach is arguably more flexible. You can position it at various angles for content consumption. Samsung's binary approach—phone or tablet, no in-between—is simpler but less adaptable.

However, Samsung's hinges looked cleaner during the hands-on. The engineering appeared more refined. Whether that translates to better real-world durability is something only time and user feedback will answer.

Both phones target the same narrow market: people willing to pay $2,500+ for experimental hardware. Both have impressive specs, solid cameras, and novel form factors. The choice between them comes down to fold style preference and which ecosystem you're invested in (Samsung's One UI versus Huawei's EMUI).

Given market realities, most people will never use either phone. For the few who do, both represent the current peak of smartphone engineering, innovation, and cost.

Should You Buy It? Real Talk About the Tri Fold

Here's the honest assessment: the Samsung Galaxy Z Tri Fold is an impressive piece of engineering that solves problems for a specific subset of users. If you're a productivity-focused professional who spends significant time comparing information across multiple apps, multitasking across various windows, or working on complex projects that benefit from expanded screen real estate, the Tri Fold offers genuine value.

If you're a casual smartphone user who scrolls social media, checks email, and watches videos, a regular flagship phone will serve you better. Spend

If you're an early adopter who wants to own the most innovative phone available and can afford it, the Tri Fold is worth the investment. You're not making a rational economic decision, but you're making an emotionally satisfying one. You'll own something genuinely unique. You'll have a conversation starter. You'll experience the future of mobile devices before most people.

But let's not pretend the Tri Fold is the future for everyone. It's the future for a specific slice of the market that values innovation over practicality. For everyone else, wait. In five years, foldables will be better, cheaper, and more durable. In ten years, they might actually be mainstream.

Until then, the Tri Fold exists as proof that the impossible is possible when you're willing to spend enough and take enough risk.

The Broader Foldable Phone Ecosystem

The Tri Fold doesn't exist in isolation. It's the latest chapter in Samsung's ongoing foldable story that started with the original Galaxy Fold in 2019. That original phone was fragile, expensive, and necessary for Samsung to validate the market.

Since then, Samsung has released multiple generations. The Z Fold series represents the book-like fold design. The Z Flip series represents the clamshell flip design. Both improved with each generation, trading cost for durability, adding features, refining the software.

The Tri Fold is Samsung's most ambitious experiment yet. It's saying: "Here's what we can do when we push engineering to its limits." It's not aimed at profitability in the traditional sense. It's aimed at innovation showcase and premium market positioning.

Other companies are watching. Apple hasn't released a foldable phone, partly because they're still figuring out the industrial design. Google's Pixel phones support the Pixel Fold, which competes directly with Samsung's Z Fold line. Huawei's competing with innovation and market presence in Asia.

The competitive landscape suggests that foldables will continue evolving, prices will gradually decrease, and technology will mature. The Tri Fold represents the peak of current capability. In five years, we'll look back at it the way we look back at original smartphones: interesting, but primitive compared to what's possible.

Looking Forward: The Future of Foldable Form Factors

The Tri Fold proves that tripling folding technology is mechanically feasible. The question now is whether it's commercially viable. Samsung will watch sales numbers closely. If adoption is strong, we'll see Tri Fold descendants from Samsung and competitors. If adoption is weak, foldables might stay at the dual-panel design for the foreseeable future.

My prediction: the Tri Fold remains a specialty device for the next few years, but it accelerates development on better hinge technology, more durable display materials, and more efficient form factors. Manufacturers will learn from the Tri Fold's engineering, apply those lessons to simpler dual-fold phones, and gradually make foldables more accessible.

Ten years from now, foldable phones will probably be mainstream. The Tri Fold will be remembered as a landmark device that proved the concept, much like the original iPhone is remembered as a landmark that changed everything.

Until then, it remains a luxury item. A toy for early adopters. A status symbol for people who can afford to buy innovation.

FAQ

What exactly is the Samsung Galaxy Z Tri Fold?

The Samsung Galaxy Z Tri Fold is a foldable smartphone with three panels that unfolds into a 10-inch tablet-sized display. It starts as a 6.5-inch phone, then folds open to approximately 8 inches, then opens fully to 10 inches. It's one of the first triple-fold phones on the market and represents Samsung's most ambitious foldable design to date.

How does the Tri Fold fold mechanism work?

The Tri Fold uses two titanium hinges to manage three panels. You fold the right panel inward first, then fold the left panel back onto it, creating a compact phone-sized device. The process has a correct sequence, and the phone vibrates and prompts you if you attempt to fold it incorrectly. The mechanism is smooth and precise, though it does require learning the proper fold order.

What are the key specifications of the Tri Fold?

The Tri Fold features a 6.5-inch front display in phone mode and a 10-inch display fully unfolded. It's powered by Qualcomm's Snapdragon 8 Elite processor, has a 200-megapixel main camera (matching the Galaxy S25 Ultra), weighs 309 grams, measures 12.9mm thick when folded, and carries an IP48 dust and water resistance rating. It includes ceramic glass display protection and supports multi-app multitasking across all three panels.

How much does the Samsung Galaxy Z Tri Fold cost?

The Tri Fold is priced at approximately 3,594,000 South Korean won in its home market, which translates to roughly

When will the Tri Fold be available in the US?

Currently, the Samsung Galaxy Z Tri Fold is only available in China, South Korea, and Singapore. Samsung has announced plans to release it in the US market during 2025, though exact launch dates haven't been confirmed. The staggered global rollout allows Samsung to refine manufacturing, gather feedback, and ensure supply chain stability before wider distribution.

How does the Tri Fold compare to the Galaxy Z Fold 7?

The Galaxy Z Fold 7 has an 8-inch inner display, while the Tri Fold features a 10-inch display. The Tri Fold is heavier (309g vs. approximately 238g) and more expensive (

Is the Tri Fold worth buying?

The Tri Fold is worth buying if you're a power user who benefits from expanded screen space for productivity, multitasking, and professional work. For casual users who primarily scroll, message, and watch content, a traditional flagship phone combined with a tablet offers better value and proven reliability at a lower total cost. The Tri Fold is also worth considering if you're an early adopter willing to pay for innovation and bragging rights.

How durable is the Tri Fold's foldable screen?

The Tri Fold uses ceramic glass display protection, which is harder than standard Gorilla Glass and resists scratches better. It carries an IP48 water and dust resistance rating. However, folding screens historically have durability concerns after extended use, and Samsung's track record with foldables shows improvement over generations. The Tri Fold's hinges are the primary durability risk point, though they appear well-engineered from the hands-on experience.

Can you use all three apps simultaneously on the Tri Fold?

Yes, the Tri Fold's software (Samsung's One UI) supports running three apps simultaneously across the fully unfolded 10-inch display. You can arrange apps in a side-by-side triptych layout or use other configurations. All three apps remain active and responsive, making it useful for multitasking, comparing information, and productivity work that benefits from multiple windows.

How does the Tri Fold compare to the Huawei Mate XT?

Both are triple-fold phones, but they use different architectures. Huawei's Mate XT uses an accordion-style fold that allows intermediate positions, while Samsung's Tri Fold is binary (phone mode or full tablet mode). Samsung's hinges appear more refined based on early impressions. The choice depends on fold-style preference and whether you're invested in Android/One UI or Huawei's EMUI ecosystem. Both are premium devices targeting the same niche market.

The Verdict: Engineering Achievement Over Practical Necessity

The Samsung Galaxy Z Tri Fold is a genuine engineering marvel. It proves that triple-fold technology is mechanically viable, that 10-inch displays fit inside phone-sized devices, and that Samsung's manufacturing capabilities are genuinely impressive.

It's also a luxury item for a specific market segment. At

For power users who benefit from expanded screen real estate, multitasking capabilities, and premium hardware, the Tri Fold delivers measurable value. For everyone else, it's an impressive piece of technology that remains outside the practical necessity conversation.

The real story isn't whether the Tri Fold succeeds. It's whether triple-fold technology eventually becomes standard enough that manufacturing costs drop and prices become reasonable for regular consumers. That's probably five to ten years away.

Until then, the Tri Fold exists as Samsung's statement: "This is the future. We know how to build it. And we're willing to prove it, even if only a few thousand people can afford it."

And for those few thousand people? The Tri Fold is worth every penny.

Key Takeaways

• The Samsung Galaxy Z TriFold unfolds from a 6.5-inch phone into a 10-inch tablet display, larger than an iPad Mini, using three panels and two titanium hinges.
• At
  $2,500-$
  3,000 USD pricing, it targets early adopters and power users rather than mainstream consumers, representing a luxury positioning rather than practical necessity.
• The device achieves impressive 12.9mm thickness when folded—only marginally thicker than the Galaxy Z Fold6 despite 25% more screen area when unfolded.
• Multi-app multitasking across three simultaneous applications works smoothly with Samsung's One UI, offering genuine productivity advantages for professional use cases.
• Current availability limited to China, South Korea, and Singapore with planned US 2025 launch; represents first-generation triple-fold technology with proven reliability uncertain beyond hands-on impressions.

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