Samsung Electronics will unveil its first foldable phone that folds twice, the new Galaxy Z Tri-Fold (tentative name, hereafter Tri-Fold), on the 5th. The initial domestic batch totals about 3,000 units and will be supplied only as unlocked devices, without sales through the three mobile carriers. Because it is a completely new form factor, analysts say the company is opting for a "small-quantity launch" to gauge market reaction rather than releasing a large volume from the start. There is also speculation that the complex production process and the difficulty of managing Production yield mean there have been limits to ramping up volume from the outset.
According to the industry on the 2nd, the initial domestic batch of the Tri-Fold is understood to be just over 3,000 units. That is one-tenth the scale of the initial domestic batch (30,000–40,000 units) for the ultra-slim Galaxy S25 Edge, which Samsung Electronics introduced as a new form factor in May this year.
Given the more conservative-than-expected mass-production plan, some say the Tri-Fold is closer to a "test model" to check market reaction than a product aimed at large-scale sales. Limiting domestic distribution to unlocked sales supports that view. An IT industry official said, "Samsung decided to sell this device only as unlocked, without going through carriers. That means it is not a strategy premised on large-scale sales," adding, "Rather than artificially boosting demand, it appears the company intends to watch market reaction." According to the industry, the factory price of the Tri-Fold is expected to be around 4 million won.
The global strategy is similar. Only Korea and China were selected as first-wave launch countries for the Tri-Fold, and the United States, the biggest battleground for premium phones, is reportedly not included. The initial mass-production volume is also capped at about 20,000 units.
Many analysts say the backdrop for Samsung's conservative mass-production plan is the sluggish performance of the ultra-slim Galaxy S25 Edge released in May this year. The experience of churning out a large volume of a new form factor all at once and then being saddled with inventory appears to have been reflected as is. According to Hana Securities, as of August, the three-month cumulative sales of the Galaxy S25 Edge stood at 13.1 million units, 74% fewer than the Galaxy S25 Plus (50.5 million units). The Galaxy S25 Edge's initial global production volume is known to be 3 million units. The Galaxy S26 lineup, slated for release next year, had originally planned to include the Edge in place of the Plus model, but it reportedly pivoted back to a Plus-centric lineup due to the lackluster results.
The Tri-Fold is considered more difficult to manufacture than existing foldables. Because the screen folds twice rather than once, there are many challenges to solve, including hinge design, minimizing creases, and dust and water resistance. With display Production yield difficult to manage, many expect the initial batch will have to be limited. Both inside and outside the industry, there is even the assessment that "this product is close to a 'pilot run' to temper its technical completeness."
Still, based on the known specs alone, its presence is not small enough to be dismissed as an "experiment." According to the industry, the Tri-Fold weighs in the 300-gram range, about 100 grams heavier than existing Samsung foldables. Unfolded, the screen measures 10 inches, similar to a tablet PC, and when folded it becomes a 6.5-inch bar-type smartphone. Depending on market reaction, it could become a pillar of Samsung's ultra-premium lineup. An electronics industry official said, "The Tri-Fold is a product that embodies Samsung's plan to target the ultra-premium niche market by touting a '2 in 1' experience—when held in one hand, it is a smartphone; when unfolded on a desk, it becomes a mini tablet."