What’s happened? The Korean tech giant Samsung recently unveiled its first tri-folding smartphone, the Galaxy Z TriFold, and a report now suggests that it could be thinner than most of the company’s other foldables.
- Samsung showcased the Galaxy Z TriFold at the K-Tech Showcase, held on the same day as the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) CEO Summit.
- As rumored, the device features two inward-folding mechanisms that unfold twice to transform into what appears to be a 10-inch tablet.
- According to a report by The Korea Economic Daily, the Galaxy Z TriFold “appeared about 4.2 millimeters thick” when unfolded and between 1.2 and 1.5cm when folded shut.
Why is this important? Since the company showcased the tri-folding smartphone behind a nearly-transparent glass display, and reporters were only allowed to take photos from a distance, we must factor in a margin of error in both measurements. Despite that, the Galaxy Z TriFold appears to be an engineering feat from Samsung.
- The reported thickness of the phone — 4.2mm when unfolded — puts it on par with Samsung’s latest Galaxy Z Fold 7, currently the company’s slimmest foldable to date.
- When folded, the thickness should be at least three times this number, or around 12.6mm. However, due to the hinge mechanism and the screen’s curvature, the phone could measure around 13–14mm thick.
- If true, the Galaxy Z TriFold is thinner than most Samsung foldables, including the Fold 4 (15.8mm), the Fold 3 (16mm), and older models. In fact, the TriFold’s side profile could be similar to that of the Fold 5 (13.4mm).
- Although we’re not sure of the device’s weight, prioritizing a slim design might also translate into a lighter, more comfortable in-hand experience.
Why should I care? For now, Samsung isn’t directly competing with the Huawei Mate XT. Instead, the company seems to be taking cautious steps toward developing a mechanically robust, comfortable, and ergonomic tri-folding phone. This research and development could soon materialize in the form of a globally available tri-foldable. However, rumors suggest that the phone will be available in a limited regions at launch. When and if Samsung showcases the product in other markets, it should reveal more details about the handset’s availability and specifications.
