Samsung’s upcoming Samsung Galaxy Z TriFold emerged as one of the most talked-about devices at CES 2026. It showcased a bold triple-fold design that transforms a 10-inch display into a device small enough to fit in a pocket.
The folding mechanism is central to the experience. When closing the phone, users must fold the left panel first, followed by the right. If the input is incorrect, the handset vibrates to alert the user. To unfold, users gently pull back the rear panel before opening the inner display. Reviewers noted that the hinges feel smooth, sturdy, and premium, reinforcing confidence in daily use.
Samsung has equipped the Galaxy Z TriFold with large outer and inner displays, flagship-level specifications, a high-capacity battery, and what the company describes as its fastest processor to date. Early impressions suggest the device aims to combine productivity, portability, and power. It brings these features together in a single form factor.
The U.S. will soon get its first mass-market smartphone that folds not just once, but twice with the Samsung Galaxy Z TriFold.
Here’s why you might want one: 🔗 https://t.co/GenuXipkG1 pic.twitter.com/egs951QovX
— The Wall Street Journal (@WSJ) December 2, 2025
The handset was made available for limited hands-on testing at CES 2026 ahead of its US launch. According to several major technology outlets, the device exceeded expectations, particularly in build quality and hinge durability.
The TriFold also highlights how far Samsung’s foldable lineup has evolved. In 2019, the company introduced its first folding phone, the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold, which debuted with a bulky design, a small outer screen, modest battery life, average cameras, and a premium price tag. Since then, Samsung has steadily refined materials, displays, and engineering.
Just keep foldin', just keep folding…. Samsung's Galaxy Z TriFold is a foldable phone you can fold twice. Here's our look at it from CES 2026. pic.twitter.com/gmDKo2wd8q
— Engadget (@engadget) January 7, 2026
In terms of design, the Galaxy Z TriFold directly competes with the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7. The TriFold adds a third folding panel to the Fold 7’s concept, resulting in a thicker body. It measures 3.9mm when unfolded and 12.9mm when folded, compared with the Fold 7’s 4.2mm unfolded and 8.9mm folded profile.
Samsung’s latest trifold may not be the thinnest foldable, but it advances the category by offering a tablet-like experience in a pocketable form factor. For potential buyers, analysts suggest that the true appeal will only be felt hands-on. This is because photos and videos struggle to capture the scale and fluidity of the folding experience.
If early reactions are any indication, the Galaxy Z TriFold could mark a major step toward a single device that replaces both smartphones and tablets.