Samsung has introduced its first triple-folding smartphone, the Galaxy Z TriFold, marking a bold expansion of its foldable lineup with a device aimed squarely at tech enthusiasts rather than the mass market.
The premium handset, unveiled on Tuesday, will officially go on sale on December 12 at a price of $2,443 (KSh316,270), more than double the cost of Apple’s new iPhone 17.
The device unfolds into a 10-inch display and is designed to offer enhanced multitasking and content-creation capabilities, the South Korean technology giant said. Ultra-thin and engineered for portability, the Galaxy Z TriFold weighs 309 grams and measures less than 0.2 inches at its thinnest point. It will be available exclusively in black.
While the launch represents a major milestone for Samsung, it is not a world first. China’s Huawei introduced a similar triple-folding model last year at a similarly steep price, as smartphone manufacturers increasingly experiment with new form factors to stand out in a maturing market.
The TriFold also comes equipped with built-in generative AI tools capable of offering real-time assistance through screen sharing or the camera interface, part of Samsung’s push to integrate next-generation software features into its flagship devices.
Samsung acknowledged that the Galaxy Z TriFold is a niche product. Alex Lim, the company’s executive vice president, described it as a “special edition” device, emphasizing that it is not designed for mass-market adoption.
The launch arrives at a critical moment for Samsung. Industry projections indicate Apple is poised to overtake it as the world’s top smartphone manufacturer for the first time in 14 years, possibly as early as 2025.
Research firm Counterpoint estimates Apple’s global smartphone share will reach 19.4 percent next year, edging out Samsung at 18.7 percent.
Apple is also widely rumored to be preparing its own foldable iPhone, potentially debuting in 2025, setting the stage for a new round of competition in the high-end handset segment.
Source: AFP
Written By Rodney Mbua
