Unfolded the Samsung tri-fold is about as thick as the iPhone Air and the OG MagSafe battery pack attached to it. While that can work in a pinch when you're really desperate for some juice, it's not comfortable to use for long periods. Thicc is thicc. I like the idea of a tri-fold over a regular folding phone. It's gonna have to get much thinner for me to be interested, like <1 cm.
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Samsung Shows Off Tri-Fold Smartphone
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It might not be a race however it’s getting harder for certain apple fans to still maintain that apple are still at the forefront of innovation regarding mobile devices now
Yeah I suppose Apple’s foldable is coming out soon? Because they are innovative regarding foldable’s
I would actually count that as a plus if only foldable screens weren't so damage-prone—the current two-fold designs all add another exposed screen to the outside, which means a completely redundant part that drives up complexity and BOM.
What's great is that Samsung are testing the waters for these types of products to see if they sell, and if they do, Apple can perfect them later HAHAHA.
First question is "Why?" I don't see anything positive from adding more breakable parts to a phone!
Samsung has been working on a smartphone with not just one fold, but two, and the first photos of the upcoming device surfaced today (via The Chosun Daily).
Image via The Chosun Daily
Samsung displayed the tri-fold smartphone at APEC 2025 Korea. The device is designed to transform from a ~6.5-inch smartphone into a ~10-inch tablet-style display. It will fold twice, rather than just once like the standard Galaxy Fold smartphones.
There was no opportunity for APEC attendees to try the smartphone because it was displayed in a transparent case, but The Korea Economic Daily was still able to share some details. The smartphone appears to be about 4.2mm thick when it's unfolded, and 1.2 to 1.5cm thick when folded up. Crease lines are said to be "barely noticeable."
Samsung could begin production on its tri-fold smartphone as soon as next month, and it is apparently going to be launching before the end of 2026. Samsung has yet to announce pricing, but analysts estimate that it could sell for around $2,800.
Article Link: Samsung Shows Off Tri-Fold Smartphone
They are innovative regarding not having their phones fall apart.
Yeah good one 😂 but seriously apple are that innovative they have decided that foldable’s aren’t for them
Don't need a big device that transforms into a bigger device. If a phone is going to unfold to triple the size, then I'd want a small device when folded. Wouldn't ideal be a one-handed phone when folded (quick look ups, audio, texting), and small tablet when unfolded (consumption, reading online menus when dining in restaurants that are too lazy to print hardcopies)?
What's the story with these foldable phones? I still don't get it. Why should I buy such crap? I am using a premium product with solid and sturdy construction made of premium materials. It's robust enough, dust and water resistant and holds up very well in all situations while looking great. I would go mental if I switched to a hideous piece of crap that costs much higher price, has moving parts, plastic screen with an awful crease, complicated design and lots of things that can quickly go wrong. As someone here already said it's a solution to a problem that doesn't exist.
Have to agree here. I never understood the desire for a foldable phone. Still don't.
I’ve said this ad nauseam, but here we go.
It’s always funny when people say, I don’t get why anyone would want a foldable phone. Cool…you don’t want one. But there’s a big difference between not for me and no one wants this.
Some people work almost entirely from their phones when they’re traveling or out in the field. Being able to expand your screen for multitasking, documents, video calls, or content creation isn’t a gimmick it’s a productivity boost. Others just prefer the versatility or the compact form factor when folded.
Technology doesn’t have to fit your use case to be valid. If you don’t see a reason to buy a foldable, totally fine. It’s just a stretch when people who don’t want foldables attempt to speak for everyone else.
It’s always funny when people say, I don’t get why anyone would want a foldable phone. Cool…you don’t want one. But there’s a big difference between not for me and no one wants this.
Some people work almost entirely from their phones when they’re traveling or out in the field. Being able to expand your screen for multitasking, documents, video calls, or content creation isn’t a gimmick it’s a productivity boost. Others just prefer the versatility or the compact form factor when folded.
Technology doesn’t have to fit your use case to be valid. If you don’t see a reason to buy a foldable, totally fine. It’s just a stretch when people who don’t want foldables attempt to speak for everyone else.
I’ve had a foldable as my second device past two years and this year swapped to one as my primary, from my iPhone (been using iPhones since the original). I won’t go back to a traditional slab phone. The flexibility of having a large screen in a form factor comparable to a large slab style phone is wonderful. Multi tasking is far more functional. Actual useful ‘AI’ tools is icing on the cake.
The reaction I get from regular consumers watching me open my phone is always enjoyable. When I let them hold it and show just a few of the things it’s capable off, most express interest in trying one. It’s still early days for the foldable form factor as regular consumers are just starting to see them in real life.
I’m hoping the rumors that Apple has their version coming out next year are true because I still generally prefer iOS and I’d love to see Apple’s take on the foldable phone. Otherwise I won’t be switching back to iOS anytime soon.
Kinda like the iPhone 17 Pro max with its ugly aluminum. The S25FE is built with a more premium feel.
Spoken like a true apple fan until they bring out their own foldable then it will be amazing
Have you owned one yet? I didn’t like the idea initially but after using an ex’s for a significant amount of time I really enjoyed it, and got a Fold 3. Most photos are 3:2 or 4:3, so showing people pictures and editing pictures on the bigger screen is really nice.
People got by using all kinds of things with moving parts in the days before iPhones, and a lot of them are still kicking. Film cameras have moving parts. Tape and CD players and record players. Sliding phones, flip phones. A mechanical watch has a lot of moving parts. Eventually these things may need servicing, but I think a single hinge can survive long enough for the average phone’s lifespan
Sure you can’t treat it exactly like you could something solid state, but it’s a tradeoff a lot of people are willing to make to have a bigger display always with them in their pocket
Did you watch the Jerryrig bend test on the Fold 7? It’s pretty impressive the abuse it can take, imo
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As someone who carries a foldable as my second phone, I can tell you. Phone screens, despite their “massive” 6.6-6.9” screens, are still teeny tiny and unusable for anything important. I barely use my iPhone for anything but making calls and checking what my smart ring has registered for the day. Otherwise, the phone screen is too small to do anything with. Even web browsing and YouTube watching is painful. This is one reason I have an iPhone Air. The battery life is meaningless to me as someone who rarely goes over 1/2 hour of screen time, and on many days, I don’t even take the phone off of its charger. Bigger screen and easy heft makes the Air the best phone form factor from what’s available. The rest are far too bulky and have unnecessary battery life I’ll never use. Yes, that makes me unusual in that I don’t care about battery life at all. The thinner and lighter, the better.
When I actually need a reasonable screen size, that’s when I pull out the foldable (Z Fold 7). The foldable’s screen is 7.9” and is barely adequate for other purposes, but is infinitely more usable than a standard pathetic phone screen. The issue I have with Android foldables is their aspect ratio. They try to optimize for the outer screen, making the inner screen nearly square. When watching videos or web browsing, there’s a lot of wasted, unused space. That’s why I look forward to the Apple foldable. They are optimizing for the inner screen and making it nearly the same shape and size as the original iPad mini when unfolded. THAT will be so useful. At that point, I will carry only one phone.
At home, I’m almost exclusively using my iPad.