Samsung has officially entered the trifold smartphone arena with the Galaxy Z TriFold, a device that promises to blur the lines between phone, tablet, and laptop. Announced on December 1, 2025, and currently on sale in South Korea, the device is slated for a broader global release in early 2026. Early hands-on impressions reveal a surprisingly sturdy build and a glimpse into a multi-device future, but they also confirm a significant omission that will disappoint Galaxy Note loyalists: the complete lack of S Pen support.
A Surprisingly Sturdy and Futuristic First Impression
Initial concerns about the durability of a device with two folding hinges are quickly dispelled upon handling the Galaxy Z TriFold. Samsung has employed a mix of ceramic-glass fiber–reinforced polymer, Corning Gorilla Glass Ceramic 2, and Advanced Armor Aluminum, resulting in a phone that feels solid and confidence-inspiring. This is a critical achievement for a new form factor, as perceived fragility has long been a barrier for foldable adoption. When fully unfolded, the device reveals a expansive 10-inch AMOLED inner display with vibrant colors and a 120Hz refresh rate, transforming from a standard 6.5-inch cover smartphone into a legitimate tablet.
Key Specifications & Comparisons
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy Z TriFold | Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 | Galaxy S25 Ultra |
|---|---|---|---|
| Inner Display | 10-inch AMOLED, 120Hz | 7.6-inch AMOLED, 120Hz | N/A |
| Cover Display | 6.5-inch | 6.5-inch | 6.8-inch flat display |
| Thickness (Folded) | 12.9mm | 5.9mm (est.) | 8.7mm |
| Thickness (Unfolded) | 4.2mm | 4.2mm | N/A |
| Weight | 309g | 215g | 218g |
| Chipset | Snapdragon 8 Elite | Snapdragon 8 Elite | Snapdragon 8 Elite |
| S Pen Support | Not Supported | Not Supported | Supported (built-in) |
| Special Feature | Standalone DeX | DeX (wired) | Built-in S Pen silo |
The Weight and Design Trade-Offs
This capability comes with tangible physical compromises. The Galaxy Z TriFold is a heavy device, weighing in at approximately 309 grams. This makes it notably heavier than flagship slab phones like the Galaxy S25 Ultra and even other book-style foldables like the Galaxy Z Fold 7. Its thickness when folded is 12.9mm, which is substantial but understandable given the triple-panel design. Furthermore, Samsung's choice of a U-shaped folding mechanism, where the cover screen sits on the back when unfolded, leads to a practical annoyance: fingers naturally smudge both the rear screen and the textured panels during tablet use.
Software and Performance: A Glimpse of the Vision
Samsung's software experience, a strength of its foldable lineup, shines on the large canvas. The ability to run multiple apps in resizable windows turns the device into a potent productivity tool. It is also one of Samsung's first phones to feature "Standalone DeX," allowing it to function as a desktop-like environment when paired with Bluetooth peripherals, fully realizing the "phone-as-laptop" concept. Powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset (the same as in the Galaxy S25 series), the device handled multitasking fluidly during brief hands-on sessions, indicating strong performance foundations.
The Confirmed Omission: No S Pen Support
A major specification confirmed by Samsung's official documentation is the absence of S Pen support. This aligns with the company's decision to remove stylus compatibility from the Galaxy Z Fold 7 earlier in 2025. The official product page clearly lists S Pen as "not supported" on both the inner and outer displays. The reasons are multifaceted: integrating a digitizer would likely add unwanted thickness to an already chunky device, there's no internal silo for storage, and the delicate nature of the folding display may be incompatible with a precise, pointy stylus tip. This move effectively ends official S Pen support on Samsung's foldable line, last seen on the Galaxy Z Fold 6.
Limitations in Form Factor Flexibility
Unlike some competitors, such as Huawei's Mate XT, the Galaxy Z TriFold's design limits its flexible use cases. The U-shaped hinge does not allow for stable intermediate positions. You cannot use it in a traditional book-style foldable mode (using just two panels) or benefit from features like Flex Mode for hands-free video calls or unique app controls. The device is essentially binary: either a compact phone or a full-sized tablet, with no configurations in between. This is a notable functional limitation compared to the more versatile Z-shaped folding designs.
Availability Timeline
- Announced: December 1, 2025.
- South Korea Sale: Began December 12, 2025.
- Global Release (U.S., UAE, Singapore, Taiwan): Scheduled for Q1 2026.
- U.S. Pricing & Exact Date: Not yet announced.
Conclusion: A Promising, If Imperfect, Foundation
The Samsung Galaxy Z TriFold represents a bold and technically impressive step into a new category. It feels well-built, offers a stunning and large display for productivity, and its software hints at a compelling unified-device future. However, its first-generation status is apparent in its considerable heft, smudge-prone design, lack of intermediate use modes, and the definitive end of S Pen support for foldables. For early adopters and productivity power users willing to overlook its weight and the stylus omission, the TriFold offers a tantalizing preview. For others, it may be worth waiting to see how Samsung refines this ambitious concept in future iterations.