Huawei made headlines with the launch of its first tri-fold phone, showcasing tri folding technology and setting a new standard in the foldable market. While Samsung may be seen as late to the game, the tech giant is actively working on its own tri-fold device, set to debut in 2025.
According to reports from ZDNet Korea, Samsung Electronics is set to introduce a device featuring a screen that can fold twice. Component suppliers for Samsung Display have reportedly completed the necessary parts for this tri-fold model, indicating that they are ready for commercialisation. However, the final decision rests with Samsung’s mobile division.
This upcoming tri-fold phone follows Samsung’s established position as a leader in the foldable segment, building on the momentum from its existing Galaxy Z Fold series. While there are high expectations for this new device, it appears that Samsung is not interested in developing a lower-priced version of the Galaxy Z Fold. A Samsung engineer was quoted as stating there are no plans for a cheaper alternative within the Z Fold lineup. Instead, the company aims to expand user options with products like the recently launched Galaxy Z Fold 6 Special Edition.
Samsung has previously patented a tri-fold smartphone and showcased prototypes during CES 2022, further revealing its intentions in this phone space. However, the company is also facing challenges, such as declining sales for its OLED panels due to the underwhelming performance of the Galaxy Z Fold 6 and Galaxy Z Flip 6. An industry insider has predicted that sales of existing and new models could drop by approximately 10% year-on-year.
In light of this, the introduction of a tri-fold phone could serve as a strategic pivot to boost demand and rejuvenate the foldable market. Samsung has set ambitious projections for next year, aiming to ship over 10 million units, a significant increase from the expected 5 million units this year.
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