Samsung tri-fold phone price
How much does the Samsung tri-fold phone cost?
If you’ve ever looked at your tablet and your phone and thought, "I wish I could just fold this three times and put it in my jeans," Samsung has finally answered your very specific prayer.
The Galaxy Z TriFold (yes, that’s the official name we landed on) was the undisputed star of CES 2026 this month. But innovation like this doesn't come cheap. In fact, it costs about as much as a high-end MacBook Pro and a vacation to Mexico combined.
The Damage: $2,499 and Up
Let’s not bury the lead. The Samsung Galaxy Z TriFold officially starts at $2,499 for the 512GB model. If you want the 1TB "Power User" version, you’re looking at $2,699.
In South Korea, where it launched a few weeks early in December 2025, it was priced at 3.6 million won. While that’s cheaper than the $3,000 price tag some leakers predicted last year, it’s still firmly in the "early adopter" territory.
Why the Heck Is It So Expensive?
You aren't just paying for a phone; you’re paying for a "3-in-1" device.
- Closed: It’s a slightly chunky 6.5-inch smartphone.
- Half-open: It’s a square-ish multitasking panel.
- Fully open: It’s a 10-inch tablet with a 4:3 aspect ratio.
Samsung is using a dual-hinge system internally called the "G-style hinge" that allows the screen to fold like an accordion. To make a 10-inch screen survive being folded 500,000 times, Samsung had to invent a new Gorilla Glass Ceramic 2 layer. It’s engineering witchcraft, frankly.
A Personal Observation
I got to hold one of these at a demo last week, and I’ll be honest: it feels like holding the future, but it also feels like holding a very expensive, very fragile glass sandwich.
The "crease" is almost invisible when the screen is on, but when it’s off? You can definitely see the two lines where the magic happens. (Rhetorical question: Will we ever get a folding phone that doesn't have a "belly button" in the middle of the screen? Maybe by 2030.)
Is it Overkill?
Probably. But in 2026, where DeX 3.0 allows you to run a full windowed desktop interface directly on the device, the TriFold actually makes sense for digital nomads. I saw a guy at a coffee shop yesterday using a TriFold with a foldable Bluetooth keyboard, and for a second, I actually felt bad for my "primitive" single-screen iPhone.
Brief Tangential Thought
The battery situation is wild. To power three screens and two hinges, Samsung had to use a triple-cell battery design totaling 5,600mAh. It’s surprisingly thin for having three layers, but don't expect it to last two days if you’re using that 10-inch panel for Netflix marathons.
Final Verdict: Should You Buy It?
- Buy it if: You are a productivity junkie, you hate carrying a laptop, and your bank account can handle a $2,500 dent.
- Skip it if: You’re worried about durability. While it has an IP48 rating (it can handle some dust and a splash), I wouldn't take this phone anywhere near a beach or a toddler.
Or you should wait for Galaxy S26 Ultra it might change your decision.
