Samsung’s trifold prototype breaks cover at APEC: A glimpse at the next big leap in foldables

Samsung’s long-rumoured trifold phone just made a rare public appearance sort of. The company quietly showcased what looks like a prototype at the ongoing APEC summit in Korea, marking the clearest sign yet that its first triple-folding device is inching closer to reality.

The device was displayed in a glass case, shown both folded and unfolded, with an animation demonstrating how it transitions between the two forms. As expected, it folds inward on both sides in a “G” shape a design that sets it apart from Huawei’s accordion-style Mate XT. Unfortunately, no one was allowed to touch (or fold) it, and Samsung remained tight-lipped on whether this is the final design.

In a statement to SamMobile, a company spokesperson said, “The recent showcase reflects ongoing R&D efforts, and we plan to bring this next-generation device to users within this year.”

We’ve previously reported that Samsung has been working on a trifold for a while now and with this showcase, the company has essentially confirmed it’s on track to launch the device before the year wraps up.

Samsung’s tri-fold is set to be a major leap from its current foldable lineup — think Galaxy Z Fold 6 and the soon-to-drop Z Fold 7 both of which stick to a single hinge. This next-gen model is expected to introduce a dual-hinge setup, unfolding in a zig-zag (Z-like) motion to reveal a much larger screen. It’s a design that echoes Huawei’s Mate X Ultimate, known for its multi-hinge, tablet-style layout.

Earlier patents have hinted at even wilder concepts including configurations with two or three hinges connecting up to four screens. While today’s foldables basically double your screen real estate, this tri-fold could take things up a notch, unfolding into something that’s essentially a full-blown tablet. It’s a serious evolution in both form and function the kind of leap Samsung has been teasing for years.

Samsung Galaxy Tri-Fold: Expected Price

Innovation doesn’t come cheap — and neither will Samsung’s tri-fold. With an expected price tag between $3,000 (₹2.56 lakh) and $3,500 (₹2.99 lakh), this foldable is clearly aimed at a niche crowd of early adopters and tech purists. Production is likely to be limited at launch, and it’s still unclear if Samsung plans to scale up based on demand. At that price, it’ll sit comfortably above current foldables and even premium flagships like the Galaxy S25 Ultra or iPhone Pro Max.