Samsung Debuts Tri-Fold Galaxy Device Highlighting AI and Productivity Focus

Samsung Electronics formally introduced the Galaxy Z TriFold during its 'The First Look' press conference at CES 2026 in Las Vegas on January 4, 2026. The unveiling aligned with CEO TM Roh's stated 2026 strategic commitment to serve as a "companion for AI living," positioning the new device as a central hardware demonstration of that philosophy.

The device features a novel tri-folding architecture, distinguishing itself from single-hinge foldables by employing two inward-folding hinges. This design transforms a 6.5-inch cover display into a substantial 10-inch main screen. This engineering choice impacts portability metrics; the device measures 12.9mm thick when folded and weighs 309g, a notable increase over the Galaxy Z Fold7's 8.9mm thickness. When fully opened, the main display achieves a profile as thin as 3.9mm at its narrowest point, though the dual-hinge structure results in two visible creases.

The internal 10-inch QXGA Dynamic AMOLED 2X display supports a 120Hz adaptive refresh rate and reaches 1,600 nits peak brightness. The cover screen is optimized for external use, boasting up to 2,600 nits brightness, enhanced by Vision Booster technology. Powering the hardware is the customized Snapdragon 8 Elite Mobile Platform for Galaxy, which integrates a second-generation custom Qualcomm Oryon CPU and a Hexagon NPU specifically tailored for on-device artificial intelligence operations. This platform is supported by 16GB of RAM and storage configurations of 512GB or 1TB.

The imaging system features a 200-megapixel main camera on the rear, accompanied by a 12-megapixel ultrawide lens and a 10-megapixel telephoto lens, supplemented by dual 10-megapixel selfie cameras. Energy is supplied by a 5,600 mAh three-cell battery, the largest capacity in a Galaxy foldable, distributed across the three panels for balanced power management. In a departure from current industry trends, Samsung confirmed the device will ship with both a 45W super-fast charger and a dedicated protective case.

Initial market reception in South Korea, where sales began on December 12, 2025, indicated strong consumer demand, with initial stock selling out rapidly, including a subsequent restock on December 17 that reportedly concluded in two minutes. The Galaxy Z TriFold is scheduled for a U.S. market launch in the first quarter of 2026, with pricing anticipated near $2,500. Reviewers have noted that the 10-inch unfolded surface provides genuine tablet-like utility, exceeding the screen real estate of devices such as the Galaxy Z Fold7 and the iPad Mini. The software is engineered for enhanced productivity, supporting the concurrent operation of three applications and featuring a local DeX experience that approximates a personal computer workflow.