Samsung’s Galaxy Z Trifold, the company’s first triple-folding smartphone, is larger and thicker than typical phones, but early impressions suggest the extra bulk may be justified by the expanded screen real estate.
Shown at CES 2026 after going on sale in South Korea in December for the equivalent of around $2,400, the Z Trifold is Samsung’s biggest foldable to date. When closed, it offers a 6.5-inch cover display that functions like a standard smartphone screen. Unfolded, the device becomes a roughly 10-inch tablet, designed for watching video, gaming, reading, and multitasking.
Unlike book-style foldables such as Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold 7 or Google’s Pixel 10 Pro Fold, the Z Trifold’s triple-hinge design makes the internal display feel more like a full-size tablet than an enlarged phone. YouTube videos resembled the viewing experience on an iPad-style tablet, and reading long-form articles in portrait orientation benefited from the added vertical space.
With Samsung’s DeX mode enabled, the device can run multiple apps in resizable windows, mimicking a desktop-style interface. While the demo units were not paired with a wireless keyboard or mouse, the overall experience hinted at the potential to replace a separate tablet or even a lightweight laptop for some users.
Closed, the Z Trifold feels dense and tank-like in the hand, but when fully opened it becomes notably slim in tablet mode. During brief hands-on time, the device felt sturdy rather than fragile, with hinges that inspired confidence under light flexing. The two hinge creases appeared less visible than on previous Samsung foldables, though it remains to be seen whether this will hold true after extended use.
The exterior has a carbon fiber-like finish that adds grip, which helps when handling the device one-handed in phone mode or when opening and closing the panels.
There are clear trade-offs. When unfolded, the exposed outer surfaces are prone to fingerprints, and smudges become very noticeable on the large screen area. Users sensitive to greasy marks will likely want to keep a microfiber cloth nearby.
Battery life is another open question. The Z Trifold includes a 5,600mAh battery, which is substantial but smaller than the more than 7,000mAh silicon carbide batteries now shipping in some flagship phones such as the OnePlus 15. How the trifold’s power pack will cope with driving a 10-inch display for extended periods remains to be tested.
Pricing and availability outside South Korea are still unclear. Samsung has not yet confirmed U.S. pricing or a release date. Based on the roughly $2,400 Korean price, it is likely to cost at least as much in other markets. That would put it above the already expensive Galaxy Z Fold 7, raising the question of how many consumers will pay a premium for a larger foldable screen.
What is clear from this early hands-on is that the Galaxy Z Trifold feels more polished than might be expected from a first-generation triple-fold design. Samsung appears to be applying lessons learned from six generations of Galaxy Z Fold and Z Flip devices, aiming to turn a pocketable phone into a full tablet without compromising too much on durability or usability.
Gizmodo is reporting from Las Vegas throughout CES 2026, covering the latest product announcements and prototypes debuting at the show.