Samsung has been teasing foldable innovation for years, but now it looks like the company is finally ready to take the next leap. Reports suggest that Samsung’s first tri-fold phone may make its public debut at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in South Korea on October 31–November 1. The device is expected to appear in the exhibition area as an early showcase, giving the world a first look at what could be Samsung’s boldest design since the original Galaxy Fold in 2019.
Following that preview, Samsung could move quickly to a proper launch as soon as November, beginning with its home market. Production, however, is rumored to be very limited — just about 50,000 units initially, a fraction of what Samsung usually manufactures for its flagship phones. That scarcity means the tri-fold will likely remain more of a tech showcase than a mass-market product at first.
Right now, Huawei is the only major brand actively shipping a tri-fold device, so Samsung’s entry immediately raises the stakes. What was once just a futuristic concept is suddenly a competitive category. When giants like Huawei and Samsung go head-to-head, other manufacturers tend to follow — so this could be the beginning of a new wave of multi-folding smartphones.
Of course, pricing will keep this device in luxury territory. Early rumors suggest a launch price of around $3,000, significantly higher than Huawei’s $2,500 Mate XT. That sticker shock, combined with tight availability, means tri-folds won’t replace traditional foldables any time soon. Still, the symbolic impact of Samsung stepping in cannot be overstated — it gives the entire form factor legitimacy.
As for the design, leaks point to a large, tablet-like display when fully unfolded, similar to Huawei’s approach. While there are only so many practical ways to fold a device three times, Samsung’s reputation for refined hardware suggests the Galaxy TriFold could bring stronger durability and better software optimization. If that’s the case, it could mark a turning point for foldables, proving they’re more than experimental gadgets.
The big unknown is global rollout. Samsung has not confirmed when — or at what price — the tri-fold will hit markets like the U.S. For now, the spotlight will be on South Korea later this month, where we might finally see this long-awaited device go from rumor to reality. Whether it becomes the next big thing in mobile or remains a high-priced niche toy, the Galaxy TriFold is shaping up to be one of the most exciting smartphone launches of the year.
