If you missed the recent announcements, traditional book-style foldables have lost their charm in the smartphone market.
The limelight is now on tri-fold devices, with Huawei leading the way as the sole brand to have released one. Their Mate XT is the first of its kind, and based on my brief experience with it, I can assert it is the most functional foldable I’ve tested so far.
However, Samsung could soon follow suit. Rumors suggest the company will unveil its own tri-fold model within the month. Initial reports indicate a limited launch in South Korea and China, but recent updates suggest a possible arrival in the US, and perhaps the UK and EU, although official confirmation is pending.
Nonetheless, if a tri-fold is indeed set to launch this month, it must deliver more than just an enlarged display. I’ve had my reservations about foldables; often, they come with various compromises despite their hefty price tags. However, I would genuinely contemplate purchasing one if it excelled in three essential areas.
Reliable All-Day Battery Life
Weak battery performance is something I can’t accept in a smartphone, and regrettably, many foldables still suffer in this area. The OnePlus Open stands out as the only foldable I’ve used that offers respectable screen-on time, complemented by its 67W charging support.
With the Huawei Mate XT, I experienced approximately six to seven hours of screen time under regular use, which involved watching videos, using social media, and some casual gaming. This is a decent performance for a tri-fold.
Luke Baker
Conversely, Samsung has frequently lagged in this aspect. My experience with the Galaxy Z Fold 7 revealed just shy of six hours of use, and it charges only at 25W, taking close to 90 minutes to reach a full charge. While I don’t expect Samsung to significantly enhance charging speeds, a larger battery should be an essential feature this time around.
Considering the tri-fold design naturally promotes increased screen usage, its battery must support this enhanced functionality. Otherwise, it becomes just another innovative design that ends up underutilized due to inadequate battery life.
Reports suggest Samsung is exploring a three-cell battery configuration to enhance capacity without increasing the device’s thickness, according to a patent leak spotted by Galaxy Club. This could potentially enhance capacity to around 5,000mAh, which is a commendable figure.
Weak battery performance is something I can’t accept in a smartphone
However, with a device that unfolds into something akin to a 10-inch screen, 5,000mAh shouldn’t be viewed as remarkable. It ought to be the minimum requirement.
A Genuine 16:9 Layout and Desktop-Style Applications
One certainty about the Samsung tri-fold is that its price will exceed that of the Galaxy Z Fold 7, starting at £1,899/$1,999. For around £2,000/$2,000, I anticipate functionality that goes beyond casual scrolling on Instagram.
The device won’t be lacking in hardware capabilities. The tri-fold is expected to integrate a Snapdragon 8 Elite chip, adept at managing tasks typically reserved for full-fledged laptops. While it’s not the latest Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, the difference in performance is likely to be negligible.
I don’t expect to be editing movies on a mobile device, but a tri-fold that opens up to a 10-inch display significantly alters the utility. A proper 16:9 or 16:10 aspect ratio would allow for desktop-style applications, from photo and video editing software to productivity tools, in a way that feels more natural.
Gaming could also benefit from the tri-fold’s larger display. Today’s mobile GPUs can manage high-end games, but the experience is often hampered by the confined screen.
Luke Baker
A larger unfolded screen changes the dynamic entirely. Coupled with a Bluetooth controller, it can provide a portable gaming setup that you can easily carry around. I’m not suggesting it will take the place of a traditional console or run high-end AAA games perfectly, but if it can deliver a satisfactory experience on the go, that alone would make the form factor significantly more appealing than current foldables.
The possibilities extend beyond just gaming or productivity. A sizable, well-proportioned display facilitates multitasking, media creation, and entertainment in ways that existing foldables can’t compete with.
If Samsung can demonstrate that a single device can replace your phone, your tablet, and even some elements of your laptop workflow, the steep price tag starts to seem more reasonable.
True Flagship Cameras
One of my principal criticisms regarding Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold lineup since the Fold 4 has been its cameras. When you’re spending close to £2,000/$2,000 on a smartphone, you anticipate top-notch camera performance, which has been lacking thus far.
Structural challenges contribute to the issue. Foldables tend to have a slimmer design, making it challenging to incorporate larger sensors and lenses into a thin form. This means compromises are likely unavoidable. A folding phone with flagship-level cameras that could rival the best flat phones would be compelling, yet I haven’t seen that happen as of yet.
Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry
Samsung introduced significant enhancements with the Galaxy Z Fold 7, swapping out the 50Mp wide-angle lens for a 200Mp sensor. While the Fold 7 might not be the absolute best camera phone at its price range, it finally stands up to other premium devices.
If Samsung brings the same advancements to its forthcoming tri-fold, it could culminate in a foldable that feels truly complete—a device that amazes not only with its form factor but also provides flagship-level performance across all levels.
An Exciting Turning Point
Samsung’s tri-fold excites me in a way that even the best smartphones have failed to inspire. The notion of foldable smartphones is undeniably captivating, but they haven’t been able to justify their cost beyond the novelty.
When I showcase a foldable device from Samsung or Google, the response is always uniform. While everyone agrees it looks stunning, genuine interest in actually purchasing one remains lacking. They are enjoyable to interact with, yet not compelling enough to buy.
Tri-fold devices may be a game-changer in this regard. If Samsung can demonstrate that one device can effectively replace your phone, tablet, and even aspects of your laptop experience, then the high cost begins to feel warranted.
Are you exploring other foldable formats? Check out our guide to the top folding phones available now.
