It’s no longer a secret that Samsung’s latest foldable devices have received a lukewarm response from mobile consumers worldwide. This has forced the company, which was once dominant in the market, to explore new ways of diversifying its otherwise stale and repetitive product portfolio. While the Galaxy Z Fold 7 and Z Flip 7 are expected to resemble their moderately successful predecessors, the lower-priced Galaxy Z Flip FE model and the yet-to-be-named triple-folding handset could breathe some fresh air into Samsung’s otherwise dull foldable lineup this year.
However, don’t expect the new tri-fold phone to set the world on fire regarding sales numbers! There are two main reasons why this potentially groundbreaking product is unlikely to succeed at the global box office, and a recent Korean media report (translated here) fully explains and details both of them.
First, due to the incredible challenges and complexities in the production process, Samsung did not plan to make many tri-folding Galaxy phones. Overall, the current goal is to have “less than 300,000 units” ready by “the second half of this year,” which is a drop in the ocean compared to the production scale of the Galaxy Z Flip 7 and Z Fold 7.
This almost certainly means that Samsung’s first device will only be released in one or two (Asian) markets in 2025, following a similar approach to the recent special edition availability of the Galaxy Z Fold. Since Samsung wants to focus on durability and build quality, it is likely to adopt the so-called “G-type” form factor for its first tri-fold smartphone, instead of the Huawei Mate XT’s S-shaped design. In simple terms, this means that, unlike the competitor’s mysterious bad boy which folds both in and out, Samsung’s device will likely be a fully in-folding device.
This would undoubtedly allow the larger primary screen to be better protected when not in use, though Samsung is still expected to spend a lot of money on delicate hinge mechanisms and, indeed, the actual double-folding display. This leads us to the second reason why this product is unlikely to sell much this year, which is its considerably higher price compared to the current “traditional” foldable.
It’s nearly impossible to predict how much Samsung’s Huawei Mate XT alternative will cost in South Korea and/or China, but it can be easily assumed that very few people will be able to afford this experimental device. Therefore, it makes sense for Samsung to release it as a test model sometime in the summer or fall of 2025.
What about specifications and features?
There’s very little to report on that front at the moment, although one possible theory suggests that Samsung’s tri-fold device will offer a stunning 12.4-inch screen, effectively aiming to replace both your traditional phone and tablet.
This figure would be achieved when the display is fully opened, easily surpassing Huawei’s leading Mate XT’s 10.2-inch screen size. Coincidentally (or not), Samsung’s exceptional first-generation foldable super-flagship could reach about 10.5 inches when partially opened, which is quite impressive.
Another intriguing detail circulating today is the potential absence of under-display camera technology, which could be good news for the quality of this device’s front-facing snapper. On the not-so-bright side, this means Samsung will need to drill a hole in the primary screen of its first triple-folding phone/tablet, which will slightly diminish its overall aesthetics.
