Samsung Electronics today unveiled its first tri-folding smartphone in an attempt to strengthen its position in a sector of the phone market where competition is expected to intensify.
The launch of the Galaxy Z Tri Fold phone represents a step by Samsung to consolidate its foothold in a category in which Chinese companies are making significant progress, although analysts say that foldable devices will not achieve wide spread at the present time due to their high prices and the challenges that hinder production.
The price of the phone is about 3.59 million won ($2,440.17) and it can be unfolded to turn into a 253.1 mm (10-inch) wide screen consisting of three panels, which is about 25 percent larger than the latest Samsung foldable phone, the Galaxy Z Fold 7.
“I believe the foldable market will continue to grow, and the TriFold in particular can act as a catalyst that drives greater growth in key parts of this segment,” said Alex Lim, Executive Vice President and Head of Sales and Marketing in Korea at Samsung Electronics.
The Trifold model, manufactured in South Korea, will be launched in the local market on December 12, and will be launched in China, Singapore, Taiwan and the UAE before the end of the year.
It is expected to begin rolling out in the United States early in the first quarter of next year.
The device includes the largest battery in the leading Samsung phone category and supports ultra-fast charging technology, which allows the phone to be charged to 50 percent within 30 minutes.
Lim said the prices of memory chips and other components are rising sharply, making pricing the device a “difficult decision.”
($1 = 1467.0900 won)
