Samsung is considering launching its upcoming tri-fold smartphone in the United States — a first for both Samsung and the US market — as the company looks to reinvigorate consumer excitement for smartphones.
The tri-fold device, which folds in two places to create a screen larger than Samsung’s current foldables, would mark the company’s most radical smartphone design since its first Galaxy Fold debuted in 2019. Samsung has previously limited new models, such as the Galaxy Z Fold 6 SE, to markets like South Korea and China. A US launch would signal a major shift, especially as Chinese rival Huawei already offers a tri-fold device but is barred from selling in the US.
The move comes as Samsung, Apple, and other phone makers experiment with new form factors to attract buyers at a time when consumers are holding onto devices longer and analysts question whether AI-powered devices could eventually replace smartphones. Apple is set to debut the iPhone Air — its biggest redesign in nearly a decade — and may release its first foldable by 2026, according to reports.
Samsung executives say the tri-fold will build on the success of its Galaxy Z Flip and Z Fold series, which recently saw a 25% rise in preorders. The device is expected to deliver a much larger display experience than the current Z Fold 7, which unfolds to eight inches. While the company has not disclosed final specifications or pricing, Samsung has showcased tri-fold prototypes such as the Flex G and Flex S at global trade shows.
The device is likely to be a premium, niche product similar to the Galaxy Z Fold. Still, Samsung sees foldables as a way to differentiate itself and win over customers from rival brands. Executives note that foldables attract twice as many switchers from non-Samsung devices compared to standard Galaxy flagships.
Alongside the tri-fold, Samsung plans to refresh its Galaxy S series next year, including a slimmer successor to the Galaxy S25 Edge, expected to launch in early 2026 with the Galaxy S26 lineup.
By betting on innovative form factors like the tri-fold, Samsung aims to stay ahead in the global smartphone race — where it and Apple together control about 35% of worldwide shipments.
