Last month, rumors began swirling about Samsung’s potential development of a trifold phone, and now, those whispers are gaining more credibility. New reports from a reliable leaker have resurfaced, revealing that Samsung may indeed be working on not just the Galaxy Z Fold 7, but a trifold variant of the phone. Although details remain scarce, the leaks provide enough information to get excited about what Samsung could be bringing to the foldable smartphone market in 2025.
What We Know About Samsung’s Foldable Plans for 2025
The most recent leak comes from Yeux1122, a prominent leaker known for their accurate predictions, who shared the details on Naver, a popular platform in South Korea. According to Yeux1122, Samsung is preparing to release three versions of the Galaxy Z Fold 7 lineup in 2025:
- Galaxy Z Fold 7
- Galaxy Z Fold 7 FE (Fan Edition)
- A trifold variant of the Fold 7
While the Fold 7 and Fold 7 FE are expected to launch simultaneously, the timeline for the trifold variant is still unclear. This new device would mark a significant shift in Samsung’s foldable phone strategy, adding a third foldable screen for a more versatile user experience.
What Makes a Trifold Phone Different?
The idea of a trifold phone isn’t entirely new. Huawei has already entered this space with their Huawei Mate X series, which folds open in three stages. Based on the initial leaks, Samsung’s potential trifold phone could follow a similar design strategy, providing users with a larger and more flexible display. Here’s how it might compare to current foldable phones on the market:
- Folded Mode: The device could feature a compact 6.4-inch screen when fully folded, offering the user a more traditional, smaller phone experience.
- Partially Opened: When the device is partially unfolded, it might open into a 7.9-inch screen, striking a balance between portability and screen real estate.
- Fully Unfolded: When all three panels are opened up, the phone could reveal a 10.2-inch display, which is significantly larger than what we currently see with devices like the Galaxy Z Fold 6, which has a 7.6-inch screen when fully opened.
This unique design, with three panels instead of two, would provide users with more options for customizing their screen experience. Whether you want a narrow portrait display for reading or a wide, expansive screen for streaming shows, a trifold device could deliver a highly flexible solution.
How a Trifold Phone Could Change the User Experience
Samsung’s potential trifold phone could offer a host of advantages over current foldable devices, especially in terms of multitasking and user customization. The concept of a phone that opens up into three separate panels gives users more flexibility to adjust the screen based on what they need. Here are some potential use cases for such a device:
- Compact Mode for On-the-Go: In its fully folded state, the phone would remain small enough to slip into a pocket or bag, making it convenient for users who prefer a compact device. The 6.4-inch display would be perfect for quick tasks like checking notifications, sending messages, or making calls.
- Dual-Panel Mode for Productivity: With two panels opened, users would have a screen size similar to current foldables, ideal for activities like browsing the web, working on documents, or chatting on social media. This mode strikes a balance between a compact form and a larger screen experience.
- Triple-Panel Mode for Media and Gaming: When fully opened, the phone would offer an expansive 10.2-inch display, providing ample space for watching movies, playing games, or multitasking between apps. A larger screen size makes media consumption and gaming experiences more immersive, while multitasking could allow users to view multiple apps at once.
In essence, a trifold phone could make the device much more adaptable to different tasks, allowing users to “fold” their phone to fit their specific needs at any given moment. This flexibility could make the device far more user-friendly compared to traditional smartphones.
Challenges of a Trifold Phone: Larger Screens and Practical Use
While the idea of a trifold phone is exciting, there are practical concerns that Samsung will need to address in order to make the device truly user-friendly. One of the most significant challenges with foldable devices, in general, is managing the screen size.
A larger screen provides more space to work with, but it also introduces a couple of challenges:
- Portability: As screens get bigger, so does the overall size of the device. A phone that unfolds into a 10.2-inch screen might be cumbersome for some users to handle. While a 7.6-inch screen on the Galaxy Z Fold is already large, adding another panel could make the phone even bulkier, which might be uncomfortable for daily use.
- Touch Input: Larger touchscreens, especially those as big as 10 inches, can sometimes be tricky to navigate. For instance, it’s not as easy to use a large tablet-like screen with touch input alone. While the Galaxy Z Fold 6 remains manageable with its 7.6-inch display, a larger screen will require more careful consideration of usability to ensure it remains intuitive and practical for everyday tasks.
- Durability: Foldable screens, by nature, are more vulnerable to wear and tear than traditional ones. Adding a third foldable screen could increase the risk of damage, especially when the device is fully unfolded. Samsung would need to ensure that the trifold phone is just as durable as their existing foldable phones, with robust materials and protective features.
The Future of Foldables: The Trifold Revolution?
The introduction of a trifold phone by Samsung would be a major leap forward for foldable technology, providing users with a highly customizable and versatile device. While details about the phone remain limited, the concept has immense potential. If Samsung can overcome the challenges of size, portability, and durability, the trifold Fold 7 could revolutionize the way we think about foldable smartphones.
For now, we’ll have to wait until 2025 to learn more about Samsung’s trifold phone and whether it will live up to the hype. With three separate panels, a larger screen, and enhanced multitasking capabilities, the trifold phone could offer the perfect balance of size and versatility that users have been waiting for in a foldable device.
