Earlier this year, we conducted a poll on the Huawei Mate XT Ultimate, the first commercially available tri-fold smartphone. Key findings revealed that 26.4% of respondents wanted a tri-fold device at a lower price, 22.1% desired the Mate XT Ultimate specifically, and 16.7% preferred a tri-fold phone from a brand other than Huawei. Samsung’s upcoming Galaxy Z TriFold could potentially address the first and third groups.
The Samsung Galaxy Z TriFold is set to go on sale next week, with only the Korean pricing available so far. It is priced approximately 40% higher than the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold7 with 512GB storage, suggesting that its global price may be below the €3,500 charged for Huawei’s 1TB Mate XT Ultimate model.
Samsung Galaxy Z TriFold Overview
The Z TriFold features an innovative design—essentially a Z Fold7 with an additional fold. While it is thicker at 12.9mm when closed and weighs a substantial 309g, it offers a significantly larger display. The cover screen remains a 6.5-inch panel, but unfold the device, and you get a tablet-sized 10.0-inch screen with an uncommon 15:11 aspect ratio. This wider display enhances media consumption and gaming experiences.
Samsung has engineered the fold carefully to protect the vulnerable display areas. Unlike the Huawei Mate XT Ultimate, which leaves one-third of its display exposed when folded, the Galaxy Z TriFold positions the hinge externally and keeps the screen safely inside when folded. This design choice only minimally affects thickness (the Huawei device measures 12.8mm folded) and weight (298g).
Battery capacity is another highlight. The Galaxy Z TriFold houses a 5,600mAh battery, nearly 30% larger than the 4,400mAh cell found in the Z Fold7. It also supports faster 45W charging, compared to 25W on the Fold7, though it is not considered truly 'fast' charging. Huawei’s tri-fold matches the 5,600mAh capacity but offers 66W wired charging.
Under the hood, the TriFold shares many specifications with the Z Fold7, including the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 Elite chipset (not Gen 5), a triple rear camera setup (200MP + 10MP + 12MP), and the same punch-hole selfie camera on the inner display.
Tri-fold smartphones remain a nascent category, with the Huawei Mate XT Ultimate and its slightly improved successor, the Mate XTs Ultimate—featuring a newer chipset and a 40MP ultra-wide camera—being the only major alternatives. Notably, Huawei’s models run HarmonyOS, distinguishing them from Samsung’s Android-based device.
Huawei Mate XT Ultimate and Mate XTs Ultimate
What is your opinion on the Samsung Galaxy Z TriFold? Could this form factor represent the future of smartphones or even become your next device? Do you consider its price justified, or do you see it as a gimmick?
Huawei Mate XT Ultimate
- 1TB 16GB RAM
$4,669.15
