Samsung might launch its first triple foldable smartphone in 2025

After Huawei Mate XT Ultimate Edition, Samsung is also reportedly working on a tri-fold smartphone. To recap, Samsung is the first company to introduce foldables into the market and others followed. However, here, it seems it will be tracing the footsteps of the Chinese company, Huawei. Interestingly, this is not the first time Samsung has been linked to the development of a tri-fold smartphone. In March 2023, rumours claimed that the company would delay the launch of the Galaxy S23 FE (which was eventually released in October 2023) and instead focus on unveiling a smartphone with a triple folding display. In fact, Samsung showcased its tri-fold smartphone concept during the Samsung Developers Conference (SDC) in October 2023. While the tri-fold model did not materialise at that time, it seems that Samsung is still actively working on this innovation, which could finally debut in 2025.
A report from ZDNet Korea, citing industry insiders, reveals that Samsung Electronics is considering the release of two new foldable devices in 2025: an entry-level clamshell-style foldable phone and a tri-fold model, capable of folding the screen twice. The tri-fold model would represent a significant innovation, allowing the display to fold in multiple directions.
The report mentions that Samsung Display’s partners have already finalised the development and commercialisation of components for the tri-fold model. However, the ultimate decision to launch the device rests with the head of Samsung Electronics’ MX division, according to the report. This decision could potentially align with Samsung’s broader strategic plans in the foldable phone market.
Meanwhile, orders for OLED displays used in foldable devices have dropped by 10 per cent year-on-year. This decrease is attributed to lower-than-expected demand for the Galaxy Z Flip 6 and Galaxy Z Fold 6, which were released earlier in 2023. As a result, Samsung has reportedly reduced its “rolling plan” (R/P) for OLED panels to adjust to the declining demand. This suggests that while Samsung continues to innovate in the foldable phone space, the market response to existing models has been somewhat lukewarm, influencing their production strategies.
If launched, the tri-fold model could mark a major leap forward in foldable phone technology, potentially reshaping the market and setting new trends for future smartphones.
Huawei Mate XT is currently the only tri-fold smartphone. The smartphone has three folds that looks like a tablet when fully unfolded. It features a 6.4-inch front display, but when fully unfolded, the display size increases to 10.2-inch. Interestingly, the Huawei Mate XT is only 3.6mm thick when unfolded and has a thickness of 12.8mm when folded. The Mate XT has been released in China and the prices are as high as expected. In China, the starting price of the triple-fold device is 19,999 Yuan (around Rs 2,35,000).
Other smartphone makers like Xiaomi, Honor, and Oppo are also tipped to be working on their own smartphones with tri-fold displays that can be expanded to form a much bigger screen.