You’re going to have to wait a while longer for Samsung’s first tri-fold phone

Huawei

We already know quite a bit about Samsung’s 2025 schedule. The company plans to launch the Samsung Galaxy S25 in January, as well as the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7 and the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 later in the year. There have also been rumors of a tri-fold phone, and it seems like they might be more than rumors. Unfortunately, an insider says not to expect Samsung’s first tri-fold until early 2026.

Ross Young commented on a post on X, stating that the suspected Galaxy tri-fold is more likely to launch in 2026. From a business perspective, the tri-fold gives Samsung an opportunity to draw in customers who want more real estate than anything in the lineup currently offers.

The timing also lines up with rumors of a foldable iPhone. If Apple releases a foldable in 2026, then Samsung — its biggest competitor — will likely launch something around the same time to keep its hold on the market. A folding iPhone will be a big deal, but so will a tri-fold foldable from Samsung.

More like early 2026.

— Ross Young (@DSCCRoss) December 3, 2024

However, it’s still a disappointment. After earlier rumors suggested a potential 2025 release, we’ve been eager to learn more. Huawei is the only company with a workable tri-fold in the Huawei Mate XT, and it’s mind-blowingly expensive. Samsung’s entrance to the tri-fold market will result in competition that could bring the price down, although we still expect a price point north of $2,000.

A tri-fold phone is an entirely different beast than what Samsung has tackled so far. If the company plans for a 2026 release, it means the research and development phase has been taking place for a while now. A 2026 release makes a lot of sense, but Samsung could also feel pressured to bring something new to the market before then — not only to regain its market share but also to strike a preemptive blow against whatever Apple has in the works.