Samsung could Launch a Tri-Fold smartphone in 2023

Apr 28,2023
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According to a recent tweet by popular tipster Yogesh Brar, Samsung might be launching a tri-fold smartphone in 2022, alongside the Galaxy Z Fold 5 and Galaxy Z Flip 5 models. However, it’s worth taking this information with a grain of salt, given that there have been rumors about a tri-fold phone from Samsung in the past that turned out to be false.

In 2019, the Korean tech giant launched the Galaxy Fold, becoming one of the first major players to jump on the trend. Although not many other companies have entered this unconventional smartphone category yet, Samsung is reportedly taking it to the next level with a tri-fold device that could be released later this year. Here are the details.

Galaxy tri-folding phone could launch later this year

Reliable tipster Yogesh Brar claims that Samsung will not launch the Galaxy S23 FE this year, contrary to numerous other reports. So, it is hard to know which report to believe right now. Instead, the South Korean firm will reportedly unveil its first tri-foldable device before the end of this year.

Not much is known about this tri-folding Galaxy device, but it is expected that it can turn from a compact smartphone to a large-screen tablet thanks to its foldable OLED screen with two hinges.

Design & Patent

The patent revealed the device will have not one, but two hinges. With one hinge enabling an inward fold and the other hinge enabling an outward fold, the phone will take on a Z shape when partially folded. What’s interesting about this design is that the outward-folding hinge will allow part of the screen to be used as a smartphone display, eliminating the need for a separate screen for the phone panel.

Samsung’s tri-fold concept from 2020

Since 2020, there has been talk about Samsung developing a tri-fold smartphone. The company initially demonstrated the technology and filed a patent for it around that time. Additionally, the brand’s display arm showcased a concept of a triple-folding smartphone along with other unconventional phone designs during MWC this year.

Either way, the concept and patent point to a device with two hinges. One of the hinges enables an inward fold while the other hinge enables an outward fold, resulting in a Z shape of sorts when partially folded.

The outward-folding hinge would allow for part of the folding screen to be used as a smartphone display, as opposed to using a separate screen for the smartphone panel. However, we do wonder what this means in terms of durability. All folding screens are made out of plastic, so having part of it on the outside means it’s exposed to more wear and tear, potentially leading to more scratches.