Samsung to debut its first trifold smartphone this month

Samsung Electronics will showcase its first trifold smartphone at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in Gyeongju, South Korea, later this month.

The device features two hinges, allowing it to function as both a standard smartphone and a larger tablet when unfolded.

It will be displayed at an exhibition of Korean technology during the summit, though attendees are not expected to have hands-on access.

A commercial launch of the trifold model is anticipated later in 2025.

Samsung, which introduced its first foldable phone in 2019, faces increased competition from Huawei, which released a trifold phone in China last year, and from Apple, which is expected to enter the foldable phone market next year.

🔗 Source: Bloomberg

🧠 Food for thought

Implications, context, and why it matters.

Samsung’s trifold appears at APEC (Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation), limited run hints at halo product over mass-market push

Samsung plans to show a trifold, a two-hinge phone that opens into a tablet-like screen, at the APEC summit in South Korea later this month 1. A commercial launch should follow before year-end 1.
Early supply looks tight at about 300,000 units, with an initial focus on South Korea plus China and a rumored price between $2,500 and $3,500 2 3 4. Last year’s Korea and China only Galaxy Z Fold Special Edition offers a template, though UAE and other regions may join at launch 5 6 1 3.
The small run and steep price put this device in halo territory for early adopters, with limited impact on sales volume 1 4.

Third-party developers and Software as a Service (SaaS) platforms can prep apps for trifold three-panel layouts to reach early enterprise adopters

Samsung’s One UI 6 (the company’s Android-based user interface) includes layout and component guidance for foldables, plus Flex mode and adaptive UI requirements 7. Use these to map three-panel setups now.
An unfolded display near 10 inches with a tablet-like aspect ratio gives space for multitasking and content creation 4 2. Productivity, video conferencing, and collaboration tools look like strong fits.
Given the premium price and early focus 1 4, apps that unlock the form factor can charge more for mobile professionals and power users.