Samsung reveals its first tri-fold phone – and its desktop mode
- Reference: 1764658835
- News link: https://www.theregister.co.uk/2025/12/02/samsung_galaxy_z_trifold/
- Source link:
DeX debuted with 2017’s Galaxy S8 range and allowed users to connect their smartphones to a monitor, keyboard, and pointing device. The software presented a WIMP interface that more closely resembled ChromeOS than Windows.
The Register tested DeX and found it impressive, but also a [1]solution in search of a problem . Samsung has kept DeX alive ever since, and some of its tablet computers can run it natively in addition to offering a standard Android interface.
[2]
Now DeX can also run natively on a smartphone – or at least on the Galaxy Z TriFold that Samsung [3]announced today.
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Like Huawei’s [6]Mate XT , Samsung’s three-screen-machine can face the world in a form factor that looks like a conventional single-screen smartphone – the 6.5-incher, 2520 x 1080 “cover screen” – or fold out to offer a tablet-like experience in which three panes combine into a 10.0-inch 2160 x 1584 “main screen”.
The phone weighs 309 grams and hides a 5,600 mAh three-cell battery under each of its leaves.
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When folded so only the cover screen is visible, the phone measures 159.2 x 75.0 x 12.9 mm. After opening, it measures 159.2 x 214.1 x 3.9 mm.
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Samsung's Galaxy Z TriFold - Click to enlarge
A Snapdragon 8 Elite Mobile does the driving, helped by 16GB of memory. A trio of rear-facing cameras offer 12MP ultra-wide shots, 200MP wide-angle snaps, and a 10MP telephoto unit that can achieve 30x digital zoom. Identical 10MP selfie-cams are available from the Main or Cover screen.
[9]Apple’s lousy AI didn’t stop it beating Samsung’s smartphone sales for the first time since 2011
[10]Outdated Samsung handset linked to fatal emergency call failure in Australia
[11]Memory boom-bust cycle booms again as Samsung reportedly jacks memory prices 60%
[12]Previously unknown Landfall spyware used in 0-day attacks on Samsung phones
Samsung is trying to talk up this device as more than just a large phone, as the inclusion of DeX means “users can access up to four workspaces that can each run five apps simultaneously.”
“From there, they can review and edit a meeting presentation in one workspace and then quickly navigate to another to chat with friends and shop online.”
If you fancy one, buy a ticket to South Korea as that’s where it will be on sale from December 12th for around $2400.
Samsung promises “other markets” including China, Taiwan, Singapore, the UAE and USA will follow at an unspecified time.
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The Korean giant has made much of the clever engineering that went into the phone, and made it resilient. “The folding mechanism has been precisely engineered for easy opening and closing, with an auto-alarm alerting the user of incorrect folding through a series of on-screen alerts and vibrations,” gushes the company’s launch announcement.
The company has nonetheless also introduced an “exclusive display repair benefit” for buyers that gives them “a one-time 50 percent discount on display repair costs.” ®
Get our [14]Tech Resources
[1] https://www.theregister.com/2018/07/18/samsung_dexpad_review/
[2] https://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/jump?co=1&iu=/6978/reg_onprem/personaltech&sz=300x50%7C300x100%7C300x250%7C300x251%7C300x252%7C300x600%7C300x601&tile=2&c=2aS7GtwDaMgUnOuIu6KOxegAAAFY&t=ct%3Dns%26unitnum%3D2%26raptor%3Dcondor%26pos%3Dtop%26test%3D0
[3] https://news.samsung.com/global/introducing-galaxy-z-trifold-the-shape-of-whats-next-in-mobile-innovation
[4] https://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/jump?co=1&iu=/6978/reg_onprem/personaltech&sz=300x50%7C300x100%7C300x250%7C300x251%7C300x252%7C300x600%7C300x601&tile=4&c=44aS7GtwDaMgUnOuIu6KOxegAAAFY&t=ct%3Dns%26unitnum%3D4%26raptor%3Dfalcon%26pos%3Dmid%26test%3D0
[5] https://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/jump?co=1&iu=/6978/reg_onprem/personaltech&sz=300x50%7C300x100%7C300x250%7C300x251%7C300x252%7C300x600%7C300x601&tile=3&c=33aS7GtwDaMgUnOuIu6KOxegAAAFY&t=ct%3Dns%26unitnum%3D3%26raptor%3Deagle%26pos%3Dmid%26test%3D0
[6] https://www.theregister.com/2025/03/03/ithe_registeri_gets_its_claws/
[7] https://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/jump?co=1&iu=/6978/reg_onprem/personaltech&sz=300x50%7C300x100%7C300x250%7C300x251%7C300x252%7C300x600%7C300x601&tile=4&c=44aS7GtwDaMgUnOuIu6KOxegAAAFY&t=ct%3Dns%26unitnum%3D4%26raptor%3Dfalcon%26pos%3Dmid%26test%3D0
[8] https://regmedia.co.uk/2025/12/02/supplied_samsung_galaxy_z_trifold.jpg
[9] https://www.theregister.com/2025/11/27/counterpoint_smartphone_market_predictions/
[10] https://www.theregister.com/2025/11/18/samsung_emergency_call_failure/
[11] https://www.theregister.com/2025/11/14/samsung_price_jump/
[12] https://www.theregister.com/2025/11/07/landfall_spyware_samsung_0days/
[13] https://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/jump?co=1&iu=/6978/reg_onprem/personaltech&sz=300x50%7C300x100%7C300x250%7C300x251%7C300x252%7C300x600%7C300x601&tile=3&c=33aS7GtwDaMgUnOuIu6KOxegAAAFY&t=ct%3Dns%26unitnum%3D3%26raptor%3Deagle%26pos%3Dmid%26test%3D0
[14] https://whitepapers.theregister.com/
So, now it's tri-fold
When are we going to get six-fold ? What is this nonsense ?
You want a phone, you buy a phone. You want a desktop, you buy a PC.
Why not a sports car that tri-folds into a motorcycle ?
Madness.
Re: So, now it's tri-fold
I'm waiting for the Samsung Accordion.
Re: So, now it's tri-fold
I'm waiting for the Samsung Accordion.
Pfft! I'm waiting for the Samsung Origami...
Re: So, now it's tri-fold
What is this nonsense ?
Tsk, task ...
You just do not understand.
There are countless millions of fools out there who are more than willing to pay good money for this sort of crap.
A good part of those countless millions will actually do it.
Modern marketing was invented just for them.
Whilst the phrase ' A fool and his money are easily parted' is said to be from the 16th century, the concept behind it is probably as old as the wind.
.
Re: So, now it's tri-fold
I'm just wondering if this will go to the (il)logical conclusion of so many screens that you get mixed up in how to fold it back up again and it ends up in a crumpled ball.
Something like an old-school map. Even better if it's used to display the navigation app of your choice at the time...
Re: There are countless millions of fools
Oh, you must be talking about the 'Apple Sheeple' who, according to the anti-apple media, are willing to spend thousands on the latest i-gadget so that they can boast about it on anti-social media for a few clicks. I'm sure that samesung's advertising will be aimed squarely at them in the hope of converting them to Android.
Yes, that is a jaundiced view but there again, I'm an old git who uses a secondhand iPhone SE and finds it suits me perfectly.
I was in London at the weekend and there was this young woman with a folding phone using it on the tube to post selfies on some site. Then she folded it up and stuck it in her jeans back pocket when the train stopped at Oxford Circus.
If there was a sign saying 'Steal Me' then this was it. One move by a thief and she'd be down a grand and more. My phone stays in a zipped pocket when I'm on the street or the tube unless I have to use it.
Re: There are countless millions of fools
"Oh, you must be talking about the 'Apple Sheeple' "
How did you end up making this about Apple? They don't even have a folding phone ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
309 g and 12.9mm ?
Reminds me of the early 1990s pre GSM (analogue) Nokia 100 with the "thin" battery.
Back to the future.
" alarm alerting the user of incorrect folding " — immediately thought of Capt Parmenter (F-Troop) attempts at map folding.
Connecting to external screen
I think MS cracked that nicely over 10 years ago. Good to play with for a few minutes but never used again.
I miss my Lumia 950XL.
Re: Connecting to external screen
Looked similar to W10, as I recall. But very much a solution looking for a problem!
That said, the phones were alright though - Windows Mobile was much better than the versions of Android available at the time.
Trifold?
Looks to only have two folds, albeit three screens. Am I missing something or being unnecessarily pedantic? Both not unlikely.
Re: Trifold?
You missed something. It can also be unfolded into a small sheep containment and protection device - should your miniature sheep be menaced by wolves - or in fact large insects.
I really don't know why El Reg missed that vital bit of the press release...
Re: Trifold?
You'd need a really small sheepdog though...
Re: Trifold?
The digital rendering (for such it is), seems to have 2 hinges that fold in the same way. IE, each fold will put the two outer "leaves" being folded into a "face-face" arrangement with the central "leaf".
So ... if BOTH hinges work like that... which part of the time-space continuum is the left (or right) "leaf" pushed into when it tries to move into the same spatial coordinates as the right (or left) "leaf" which has been folded over the central "leaf".
I assume that this HAS been thought about.... but the rendering would suggest otherwise.
Re: Trifold?
Depends whether "tri-fold" is referring to the number of folds or the number of screens! The term onefold could happily be applied to a "normal" phone, denoting it has a "single part", therefore trifold for three screens would hold true - in this regard the meaning of "fold" seems to come from the Old English "-feald" suffix, denoting a multiplier, although confusingly the modern English "fold" is also derived from the same root, so your own comment is also a perfectly sound assumption - you've just gotta love english...
My "bifold" doors at home have 5 panels - go figure... ツ
Super trooper
It's right on time for my [1]late 2015 or early 2016 X-Mas!!! ;)
[1] https://www.theregister.com/2013/11/06/samsung_foldable_display_timeline/