Samsung’s Tri-Fold Phone Concepts at CES 2025 Are the Foldable Future We’ve Been Waiting For

Samsung is no stranger to pushing the boundaries of display innovation, and at CES 2025, the tech giant brought its A-game with not one but two tri-fold phone concepts. These prototypes, teased by Samsung Display, hint at the future of foldable devices, and while both are undeniably cutting-edge, one design clearly stands out as the better option.

Captured by CNET (via Notebookcheck), the two designs share a common goal: three screen sections connected by two hinges. But they take very different approaches to the tri-fold concept. The first design leaves part of the main screen visible when folded, reminiscent of Huawei’s Mate X2 tri-fold approach. By folding in opposite directions, this configuration keeps part of the display accessible for quick interactions.

In contrast, the second design opts for an inward-folding mechanism, keeping the main display fully protected when closed and using a separate external screen for quick access. This approach mirrors the durability-first philosophy of devices like Samsung’s existing Z Fold lineup.

Which Tri-Fold is the Future?

While both concepts are compelling, the inward-folding design feels like the more practical and premium choice. Foldable displays are notoriously delicate, and a fully enclosed design offers better protection for the main screen while delivering a seamless experience with an external display for notifications and light use.

Samsung appears to be exploring both possibilities, as recent patents and industry reports hint at outward-folding (Z-style) and inward-folding (U-style) form factors. It’s possible we’ll see both designs enter production, but for now, Samsung remains tight-lipped about specific product plans.

When Can We Expect a Tri-Fold Galaxy Phone?

Samsung hasn’t officially announced a tri-fold phone, but the presence of working prototypes at CES suggests the company is closer than ever to bringing these devices to market. Leaks point to a potential launch before the end of 2025, putting Samsung in direct competition with Huawei, whose Mate XT tri-fold already retails for a jaw-dropping 19,999 yuan (~$2,730).

Beyond Phones: Samsung’s Vision for Flexible Displays

Samsung didn’t stop at tri-fold concepts. The company showcased a range of futuristic displays under its Samsung Display banner, including:

  • Slidable Flex Duet: A tablet-like device with a screen that extends from both sides, growing from 8.1 inches to 12.4 inches.
  • Slidable Flex Vertical: A phone-sized display that extends vertically, from 5.1 inches to 6.7 inches, offering a compact-yet-expansive design.
  • Rollable OLED for Laptops: Featured on Lenovo’s ThinkPad Plus G6, this screen expands vertically from 14 inches to 16.7 inches, changing its aspect ratio for multitasking.

Samsung also teased its Stretchable MicroLED technology, a dynamic display concept that physically moves content toward the user—an exciting glimpse of sci-fi tech becoming reality.

The Foldable Road Ahead

CES 2025 demonstrated that Samsung is serious about reshaping the way we interact with screens. Whether through tri-fold phones, slidable tablets, or stretchable displays, the company is ensuring that the next wave of gadgets will be as innovative as they are functional.

Now, the question is: which of these concepts will make it into your pocket first? For our money, the inward-folding tri-fold is the one to watch. Samsung, let’s make it happen.

via notebookcheck/cnet

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Passionate about design, especially smartphones, gadgets and tablets. Blogging on this site since 2008 and discovering prototypes and trends before bigshot companies sometimes