What you need to know
- Samsung is launching the Galaxy Z TriFold in the U.S. on January 30 for $2,899.
- At $2,899, it’s one of the most expensive mainstream phones ever, sold only in Crafted Black with 512GB storage.
- You get flagship-grade hardware: Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy, a 200MP camera, the biggest battery yet in a foldable, and a super-thin 3.9mm profile when open.
For the past few years, foldable phones have mostly come in two styles: book-style and clamshell. But Samsung has decided it’s time to break the mold. After years of perfecting these designs, the company has taken a bold step with a triple-folding smartphone that opens up to a tablet-sized screen. This new device, the Galaxy Z TriFold, will launch in the U.S. on January 30, 2026.
The Galaxy Z TriFold is Samsung’s clearest signal yet that it wants to redefine what a phone can be in 2026. Unlike the Galaxy Z Fold, which opens once, this phone unfolds twice to reveal a 10-inch screen that feels more like a small tablet than a regular phone.
If you’ve been watching Samsung’s progress with foldables, this step is logical. The company has spent several years working on better hinges, stronger displays, and smoother software. The TriFold is the result of that effort. It features a titanium hinge and a reinforced display coating to handle shocks. According to Samsung, the main screen can survive up to 200,000 folds, which is about 100 times a day for five years.
And yes, nearly three grand is the starting point. The Galaxy Z TriFold launches in the U.S. at $2,899, with 512GB of storage and a single Crafted Black color option. It’ll be sold through Samsung.com and Samsung Experience Stores, where demo units are already available.
Luxury pricing, flagship power
Image 1 of 5
So, what do you get for that price? Quite a bit. When unfolded, the phone is just 3.9mm thick at its thinnest point. It comes with Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy, a 200MP main camera, and what Samsung says is its biggest battery yet in a foldable phone.
Even more important, the large screen lets you take full advantage of all that power. You can edit photos, use several apps at once, or stream videos at full tablet size.
Samsung is also focusing on AI with this phone. Galaxy AI features are built into the interface, with tools like Photo Assist, Generative Edit, and Sketch to Image. Gemini Live offers real-time, conversational help that understands what you’re doing on the screen. Some basic AI features are free, but advanced and third-party tools might cost extra in the future.
Android Central’s Take
From where I sit, the Galaxy Z TriFold is the most fascinating and riskiest phone Samsung has launched in years. It’s more than just a new device — it’s a statement. The big, multi-pane screen is perfect for multitasking and could even replace a small tablet for work on the go. The strong AI features, though still developing, aim to make complicated tasks easy. But the real question is whether people are ready to pay $2,900 for a phone, which is as much as a high-end laptop. This launch shifts the focus from simply making foldable phones to asking what they can actually do. Samsung is betting that a triple-fold screen with smart AI is worth the price.
