Samsung Galaxy Z TriFold Review: A Promising Device with Some Drawbacks

When the first mainstream folding phone hit the market, it was a game-changer. The original Samsung Galaxy Z Fold made waves at the IFA trade show in Berlin, marking a pivotal moment in the evolution of smartphones. Fast forward to today, and the Samsung Galaxy Z TriFold is once again pushing boundaries in the world of folding phones. While not the first tri-folding phone to launch, it stands out for its unique folding mechanism and innovative design, injecting new life into the folding phone market.

Having had the opportunity to test the Samsung Galaxy Z TriFold at CES 2026, here are my initial impressions.

An incredible design, but it’s not perfect

The Samsung Galaxy Z TriFold surprised me with its lightweight build. Weighing in at 309g, it strikes a good balance between being sturdy and portable. The device unfolds to a slim 3.9mm thickness, making it one of the slimmest devices in its category. Despite its size, it is easy to handle and feels comfortable in hand.

While the folding mechanism of the Galaxy Z TriFold is unique, it does have some drawbacks. Unlike other folding phones, it folds inwards, limiting the flexibility in adjusting viewing angles. Additionally, there is no midpoint support for propping up the device for hands-free use.

The external display of the Galaxy Z TriFold is a 6.5-inch AMOLED screen with a Full HD+ resolution, offering sharp detail and vibrant colors. When unfolded, the device reveals a 10-inch internal AMOLED display, providing a tablet-like experience with excellent visual quality. Despite the presence of creases on the internal display, they are not overly distracting during everyday use.

Very impressive displays

The internal display of the Galaxy Z TriFold shines with its 10-inch AMOLED panel, offering a rich and immersive viewing experience. The device excels in multitasking, allowing users to run three apps side by side seamlessly. The inclusion of Samsung DeX further enhances the productivity potential of the device.

One standout software feature of the Galaxy Z TriFold is its intuitive warning system that alerts users when closing the device incorrectly, preventing accidental damage. While the device lacks S Pen stylus support, it compensates with a range of camera features, including a 200Mp main sensor, 12Mp ultra-wide sensor, and a 10Mp telephoto sensor.

A small step down in performance

Powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite processor, the Galaxy Z TriFold delivers smooth performance with swift app loading and multitasking capabilities. However, the choice of the older chip may disappoint some users looking for the latest hardware in a premium device.

Despite the slight downgrade in performance, the Galaxy Z TriFold remains a capable device for everyday use, with a flagship-level camera setup and a user-friendly software experience. The device’s lightweight design, impressive displays, and clever software features make it a compelling option for those seeking a futuristic smartphone.

The software is very clever

The Galaxy Z TriFold runs on Android with Samsung’s One UI 8 overlay, providing a familiar yet feature-rich user experience. The device excels in multitasking, allowing users to run multiple apps simultaneously and take advantage of the large internal display for enhanced productivity.

One area where the Galaxy Z TriFold stands out is in its software optimization for the folding form factor. The device offers a seamless user experience with intuitive features like side-by-side app usage and desktop-like functionality with Samsung DeX.

Still one big caveat

While the Samsung Galaxy Z TriFold impresses with its design and features, its limited availability is a major drawback. Currently exclusive to South Korea, the device’s future launch in the US is promising, but there is uncertainty about its availability in other regions. Despite its drawbacks, the Galaxy Z TriFold remains a forward-thinking device that showcases the future of smartphones.