Updated Nov.1 with further details, including where the new phone will be released.
Samsung’s folding phone range, the Galaxy Z series, is to gain a new model, and it’s coming soon. That’s what was learned when the Korean electronics giant showed off the new phone behind a transparent display. The phone will have a screen that folds multiple times — but should we really call it trifold? More on that below. And where will the new phone be released, when it comes? An Asia-only launch could be on the cards, it seems.
The next Samsung folding phone could have two folds, not one like on the Galaxy Z Fold 7.
AFP via Getty Images
The unveiling took place at the Asia-Pacific Economic Co-operation summit in Gyeongju, South Korea. Samsung’s transparent display showed animations of the folding action and then focused on two physical units seen behind the display, one open, one closed. Here’s what was revealed.
The Fold Is Unique
Samsung’s not first with a three-screen folding phone. Huawei already announced the Mate XT, which unfolds in a Z shape. Samsung’s animation, however, shows a different system. The top screen unfolds to the left and underneath is a second display which hinges on the right, so both hinges are inward-folding. Huawei’s device has one inward-folding hinge and one outward folding hinge instead.
“Earlier reports suggested the phone might be called ‘Galaxy G Fold’. Samsung’s design choice should help better protect the flexible display when folded, while keeping the outer screen easily accessible,” Android Authority reported.
Display Sizes
When it’s fully opened, the Samsung display is similar in shape to a regular tablet.
A post on X from Trakin Tech English features a video showing the animation at the APEC summit, credited to Chosun Media. The post claims that the screen will measure 6.5 inches when folded, 10 inches when unfolded. Which would make it the same size as a regular tablet as well as the same shape.
How About The Thickness And The Creases?
A prominent crease cursed the first folding phones, though things have got much better. “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,’ ” according to MacRumors.
What’s In A Name?
I don’t want to be too pedantic here, but I really hope it’s not called Samsung Galaxy Z TriFold. To be clear, it folds twice, not three times. It has two screens, one of which folds out. There could be three ways to position the display, as there are with the Huawei but it emphatically doesn’t have three folds, so trifold seems a ridiculous name for me.
Galaxy G Fold makes more sense to me as the folding mechanism could, just, be seen to resemble the letter G. The name will only be revealed when the phone is closer to going on sale. Samsung is smart where it comes to names (like Galaxy S25 Edge for its slim model) so I am hopeful it will come up with something neat.
And ideally sooner rather than later so I hope we can have one fewer reference to trifold — though to be honest I’m not confident.
Release Date
Samsung made an official statement to SamMobile. “Samsung said, “Samsung continues to advance innovative technologies, including next-generation form factors in the era of mobile AI, to deliver meaningful user experiences. The recent showcase reflects ongoing R&D efforts, and we plan to bring this next generation device to users within this year,” it said.
That sounds like it’s expected within weeks. Perhaps more information will come much sooner than that — previous reports have focused on Friday, Oct. 31 or Saturday, Nov. 1 (yes, today or tomorrow) as a launch date. However, these dates were related to APEC, and Samsung beat that date with its announcement on Oct. 29, so personally I don’t think this weekend will deliver more news.
If it does, I’ll be reporting on it.
Where Will It Go On Sale?
Along with when it’ll be available, the question of where you’ll be able to buy it is also waiting to be answered.
“Samsung’s Galaxy Z Trifold will be officially launched soon. Well, here is if you live in one of the markets where the phone will likely launch; that doesn’t include North America. Of course, nothing is official until it’s said out loud and made official, but I don’t see any indication of a worldwide launch. That’s smart,” according to Android Central.
The thinking here is that pushing the phone straight out to the U.S. or Europe could bring greater scrutiny for a first-gen product, citing the issues found by the original Galaxy Z Fold.
I hear the logic but I also think Samsung has now developed such experience with producing folding phones that the possibility of a global release is more likely this time.
That said, a reliable tipster, Evan Blass, has suggested that the phone will first be released in Korea, China, Singapore, Taiwan and possibly the UAE. “I’d love to be wrong, though,” he adds, commenting that it “might be a blessing in disguise: how many OG Fold buyers wish they’d waited until the second gen to dive in?”
Again, I think Samsung is now such an old hand with foldables that this logic may not apply now. Still, if the initial launch is limited and goes well, a greater international launch will likely follow swiftly.
