Samsung Electronics unveiled its first multi-foldable smartphone on Tuesday, in a bid to strengthen its position in a sector of the phone market where competition is expected to increase.
The launch of the Galaxy Z TriFold marks Samsung’s desire to consolidate its presence in a segment where Chinese competitors are gaining ground, although analysts point out that the high price and manufacturing challenges mean that foldable devices remain, for now, a niche category.
The model, priced at around 3.59 million won ($2,440.17), opens up to a 253.1-millimeter (10-inch) display, using three panels, making it nearly 25 percent larger than Samsung’s latest foldable model, the Galaxy Z Fold 7.
“I believe the foldable device market will continue to grow and the TriFold in particular could act as a catalyst, spurring more explosive growth in key areas of the segment,” said Alex Lim, Executive Vice President of Samsung Electronics and head of the Korea Sales & Marketing Office.
Lim explained that the new foldable device is designed for customers who specifically want it, rather than to be a mass-produced product.
The TriFold, made in South Korea, will go on sale domestically from December 12 and will launch in China, Singapore, Taiwan and the United Arab Emirates later this year. The US launch is expected as early as the first quarter of next year.
The device boasts the largest battery among Samsung’s flagship models and supports super-fast charging, allowing you to reach 50% charge in 30 minutes.
Lim added that the costs of memory chips and other components have risen sharply, making pricing a “difficult decision.”
COMPETITION FROM HUAWEI AND APPLE
Analysts believe the TriFold is more of a showcase of new technology than a flagship product intended for large sales volumes.
“The trifold is a first-generation product and it is the first time a trifold design has been commercialized, so it is difficult to think that Samsung is aiming for large volumes at this stage,” explained Ryu Young-ho, senior analyst at NH Investment & Securities.
He noted that while Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold line has evolved through seven generations with lower cost structures, “the trifold may still face completeness or durability issues,” making it important to gauge market response first.
Competition in the foldable smartphone market is set to intensify, with China’s Huawei launching the industry’s first triple-folding phone last September and Apple expected to unveil its first foldable next year. However, analysts say high prices and limits on mass production will likely slow the industry’s growth.
Foldable smartphones are expected to account for less than 2% of the total market this year and less than 3% by 2027, according to Counterpoint Research.
Samsung’s share of shipments in the foldable market rose to 64% in the third quarter, up from 9% in the previous quarter, according to Counterpoint, demonstrating how market share can vary depending on the timing of product launches.
The company expects the foldable smartphone market to grow 14% this year, followed by annual growth in the range of 30% in 2026 and 2027, as Apple enters the segment.
(1 dollar = 1,467.0900 won)
