After a long period of development and growing anticipation throughout 2025, the Samsung tri-fold phone is reportedly set for its first public appearance. The new device will be shown at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in South Korea, an event happening between October 31 and November 1. This seems plausible, especially after an earlier leak for a September reveal did not materialize.
The leak comes from someone "familiar with the matter" who spoke to Bloomberg about the upcoming reveal. I should note that this appearance is not a traditional product launch. The Samsung tri-fold phone will likely be presented in an exhibition space, probably under glass, for an initial public look. This means that while people can see the device, they will not be able to touch it or test its durability. This preview could be followed by a proper launch as soon as November, with a full hardware reveal and retail availability starting in South Korea.
Regarding the hardware, leaks indicate the phone unfolds into a large, tablet-like panel, a design similar to Huawei’s Mate XT. Current speculation suggests an inward-folding design that includes both an inner and outer screen, and it might feature three separate batteries and use the Snapdragon 8 Elite processor. Samsung's entry into the tri-fold category will create a real product race, adding momentum to a category where Huawei has been the primary competitor. If Samsung delivers a polished build, it could be a major shakeup for its product lineup.
This new technology will come at a high price. Rumors estimate the launch price for the Samsung tri-fold will be around $3,000. Huawei's second-generation tri-fold is already around the $2,500 mark. Initial production is also expected to be very small, with a first run of only about 50,000 units, which is significantly less than Samsung’s usual output for its flagship phones. The high price and limited stock will likely keep these devices in a niche category for some time. The Galaxy TriFold will likely be launched globally at some point but when (and for how much) is the real question.