SEOUL — Samsung Electronics unveiled its first Samsung multi folding phone on Monday as the company accelerates efforts to defend its early lead in the foldable smartphone market against rapidly advancing Chinese competitors.
The device, called the Galaxy Z TriFold, will debut in South Korea on Dec. 12 before expanding to several global markets.
The launch marks a significant step for Samsung, which has spent years developing multi hinge designs that combine portability with tablet like productivity. The new model opens into a 10-inch display and is priced at 3,594,000 South Korean won ($2,449).
“Samsung has been preparing this moment for a long time, and the TriFold reflects our push to combine innovation with usability,” TM Roh, Samsung’s newly appointed co-CEO and head of the Device eXperience division, said in an interview.
Samsung was the first major manufacturer to introduce a foldable smartphone in 2019, giving it an early advantage in shaping the category.
But the landscape has shifted as Chinese smartphone brands have moved aggressively into the premium foldable segment, offering slimmer designs and lower prices.
Brands like Huawei, Honor and Oppo now command a growing share of Asian markets, where consumer interest in foldable form factors is accelerating.
Analysts say the competition is particularly intense in China, where Samsung’s market presence is smaller than in other regions.
The Samsung multi folding phone arrives as companies race to differentiate themselves before Apple’s expected entry into foldable devices, likely beginning in 2026.
Industry observers believe Apple’s move could reconfigure the global dynamics of the foldable smartphone market.
“Samsung understands that the next two years are critical,” said Yuna Park, a Seoul based industry historian. “The TriFold is a symbolic product meant to show that the company is still at the forefront of foldable technology.”
The Galaxy Z TriFold uses two inward folding hinges to expand into a 10 inch, 2160 x 1584 resolution display. When folded, the device measures 12.9 millimeters thick, slightly more than earlier Galaxy Z Fold models but still compact for a tri fold design.
Liz Lee, associate director at Counterpoint Research, said the device will roll out in limited quantities but is meant to serve as a test bed for Samsung’s next generation of foldable products.
“Scale is not the goal here,” Lee said. “Samsung is trying to validate durability, refine hinge engineering and gather real world feedback before wider commercialization.”
The Samsung multi folding phone can run three apps simultaneously in vertical split screen mode and supports a desktop style experience without requiring an external monitor.
The device also features Samsung’s largest battery among its foldables and can reach fifty percent charge in about thirty minutes. Tech analysts say the design showcases Samsung’s intent to push foldables into productivity focused territory.
“Multi fold devices have long been the industry’s dream because they allow a smartphone to double as a tablet or even a compact workstation,” said Leonard Wu, a Hong Kong based mobile device engineer.
Samsung is taking the first serious step toward that future. Market data shows global shipments of foldable smartphones are expected to exceed thirty million units in 2026, according to IDC estimates.
Chinese manufacturers currently hold more than half of the foldable market share in Asia, due largely to aggressive pricing and slimmer designs.
- The Galaxy Z TriFold’s thickness compares with other Samsung models.
- Galaxy Z Fold6: 12.1 mm
- Galaxy Z Fold7: 8.9 mm
While thicker, the new model offers a larger expanded display and enhanced multitasking features. Its price point of $2,449 places it among the most premium devices in the category.
Among Chinese competitors, several tri fold prototypes have appeared in trade fairs, but none have reached global mass market release. That leaves Samsung positioned to be the first major international brand to commercialize a fully functional multi fold device.
“The global race has entered a new phase,” said technology consultant Melissa Chen. “With Apple preparing to enter, Chinese manufacturers pushing boundaries and Samsung trying to maintain leadership, the competition is shifting from simply folding phones to redefining what mobile computing can be.
In Seoul’s bustling Gangnam district, early reactions from consumers reflected curiosity about Samsung’s new approach. Min-ji Kang, a university student, said the idea of carrying a single device for both entertainment and schoolwork appealed to her.
“If it really replaces a tablet, then it’s worth considering,” she said. “But I will wait to see how strong the hinges are. Foldable phones still make people nervous.”
Store employee Daesung Lim, who has sold Samsung devices for six years, said customers increasingly compare Samsung’s foldables with Chinese alternatives.
“People want lighter phones and bigger screens, and they often mention how thin some Chinese models are,” he said. “This Samsung multi folding phone might attract users who want the biggest screen possible without carrying a separate tablet.”
In Dubai, where the phone will launch next, tech enthusiast Omar Rahman said high end foldables are gaining popularity. “The market here loves premium devices,” he said. “If Samsung brings something that no one else has yet, it will get attention for sure.”
Samsung plans to release the Galaxy Z TriFold in additional markets, including the United States, during the first quarter of 2026. More details, including carrier availability, are expected early next year.
Analysts say the company is likely to introduce improved multi fold models in the coming years as hinge technology evolves and production costs decrease. If consumer demand grows, multi panel foldables could eventually become a mainstream category.
Samsung’s next challenge will be balancing durability with design. Multi fold panels place greater stress on hinge mechanisms, and early consumer feedback will shape future development.
The Samsung multi folding phone also signals broader shifts in the premium smartphone segment, where devices increasingly blur the lines between phones, tablets and laptops.
Samsung’s introduction of its first Samsung multi-folding phone marks a pivotal moment for the company as it navigates rising competition from Chinese brands and a fast changing global market.
The Galaxy Z TriFold reflects years of engineering investment and serves as an early example of how multi fold technology could redefine mobile computing.
As competitors prepare their own foldable innovations, Samsung’s latest release offers a preview of the next stage in the foldable smartphone evolution.
