The recent Galaxy Unpacked event left many tech enthusiasts eagerly waiting for a sneak peek of Samsung’s rumored tri-fold phone, the Galaxy G Fold. While we were introduced to the latest Galaxy Z foldables and the Galaxy Watch 8, the highly anticipated tri-fold phone was noticeably absent. 
This device, which was first teased back in 2021 during the Korea Display Exhibition, had generated significant buzz, but as of now, it seems we’re still some way off from seeing it in stores.
So, why the delay? According to Samsung’s own statements, the company is ready to move forward with the Galaxy G Fold but isn’t quite ready to launch it. TM Roh, Samsung’s mobile business head, mentioned that the company is working hard on perfecting the tri-fold device, with plans to launch it by the end of the year. However, the product’s name is still undecided, and more importantly, Samsung is still evaluating whether there’s enough demand for the device to justify mass production.
For now, the biggest obstacle Samsung faces appears to be the practicality and demand for a tri-fold phone. Despite completing the design, Samsung is pondering whether this futuristic concept truly has a place in the market. In fact, an internal source revealed that the company has had a tri-fold phone ready for some time but is focused on assessing the viability of such a device.
Looking at the only commercially available tri-fold phone, Huawei’s Mate XT, provides some insights. When I first encountered the Huawei Mate XT, I was impressed by its sleek design and powerful features. Its 10.2-inch tri-folding screen, offering a tablet-like experience, was something to behold. At under 300 grams, it was lighter than many tablets and boasted a top-tier camera system. But after extensive use, the Mate XT revealed its shortcomings. Although it impressed at first, its practicality became questionable. The heavy, bulky design and the constant folding and unfolding proved to be more of a hassle than a benefit, which led to the decision to move back to a simpler dual-folding device.
This raises a crucial question: Do we really need a tri-folding phone? Samsung seems to be questioning the same thing. While the concept is undoubtedly innovative, the practicality and cost of such a device remain major concerns. At around $4000, it would be hard for most consumers to justify the purchase of a tri-folding phone, especially when a regular tablet could do the same job for a fraction of the price.
Folding and unfolding a phone regularly can be inconvenient, and this issue is amplified with a tri-fold design. Additionally, many people prefer compact laptops over large foldable phones for productivity, and Android’s multitasking limitations still prevent foldables from replacing a proper laptop. As for media consumption, while a large screen is great for watching movies, it’s hard to justify spending thousands of dollars just for the convenience of a foldable screen when an inexpensive tablet would suffice.
In conclusion, the concept of a tri-fold phone may be ahead of its time, but at its current price point and design, it may not be a viable solution for most users. Samsung’s hesitation is understandable, and it remains to be seen whether the tri-fold phone will ever make its way to the market in a meaningful way.