Samsung's tri-fold smartphone could fold inwards

Recent reports suggest that Samsung is working on a “tri-fold” smartphone by 2025. A recent report reiterates Samsung’s purported plans to introduce a tri-fold phone while also revealing that it will fold inwards.

Korean outlet ET News claims that Samsung has already begun developing a smartphone that folds twice. The company hopes to launch it sometime in 2025, according to the report. The outlet claims that the phone’s design will be ready by the end of this month. ET News obtained the information from secret industry sources.

Samsung’s tri-fold device may fold inward; design could be ready soon

Both Samsung and external component suppliers are may have started developing everything necessary for the device’s launch next year. Despite being a pioneer in the foldable smartphone segment, the South Korean giant lagged behind Chinese rivals when it comes to innovation. Other big brands such as Vivo and HONOR have launched much thinner and feature-rich foldable phones. Plus, the Huawei Mate XT became the first tri-fold mobile device on the commercial market.

The intense competition appears roused Samsung from its complacency. To show what it’s capable of, the company launched the Galaxy Z Fold Special Edition with a slimmer design. Plus, everything points to the brand working on its first tri-fold device. The source claims that the smartphone will have a key differentiating factor from the Huawei Mate XT. According to the report, Samsung’s product will fold inwards, a form factor they call “infolding.”

Display up to 9 and 10 inches when unfolded

For reference, when folded, the structure of the Huawei Mate XT uses a “zigzag” form factor. However, the latest leak suggests that Samsung’s smartphone will fold inward from its left and right sections. When fully unfolded, the product’s screen could extend to 9 or 10 inches.

So, while Samsung won’t be the first to launch a tri-fold phone, it might differ from Huawei’s in terms of the way it folds. This could give it a touch of uniqueness in a premium market niche yet to be explored. Samsung could also become the brand with the most diverse catalog of foldable phones next year. It already has a clamshell foldable and a book-style foldable. A tri-fold phone could complete the collection.