Samsung Z Trifold

[Lbassjr]

I flew all the way to Korea and they were out of stock twice while there. The phone on line going for $4000 to $10,000 online. Heading back to the US without the phone but hope to get a chance to get one in 2026. 

[Mujibar]

You flew to Korea *hoping* this phone would be available? Considering that the first batch sold out in 5 minutes and the second batch sold out in 2 minutes ... what made you think that was any kind of a possibility?

[Lbassjr]

I was heading to Saipan to visit the family. I just like having the new new when I can. Yes it was a try. I got put on the list but my flights got delayed.

[Mujibar]

Well, that's a little different. The post made it sound like you took the trip solely for the purpose of getting the phone. Hence, all the reactions.

[Babylonlion]

Samsung did not get the trifold design right.

It appears that Samsung rushed the development of its trifold phone in an attempt to catch up with Huawei’s tri-fold device, but this resulted in several design compromises. One of the most obvious issues is the restrictive folding mechanism. If the phone is closed in the wrong sequence, sensors detect the mistake and trigger a message and vibrations to warn the user. This approach introduces unnecessary hardware, added weight, increased complexity, and extra power consumption—problems that Huawei’s tri-fold phone does not suffer from.

While Samsung’s fully protected larger screen is a positive, it lacks versatility. Huawei’s design allows the user to operate the device using one, two, or three screens, offering true flexibility. In contrast, Samsung’s implementation is effectively “all screen or nothing,” which significantly limits real-world usability.

Another major oversight is speaker placement. Samsung failed to position the speakers appropriately, depriving users of proper stereo sound—something that a device of this size and premium category should absolutely deliver.

Samsung also continues to repeat one of its most disappointing mistakes: eliminating the S-Pen. Removing S-Pen support, especially on a device with such a large display, is a major blunder. The S-Pen has always been a key differentiator that kept Samsung ahead of the competition, and its absence strips the device of one of its strongest advantages.

The camera layout is another missed opportunity. The cameras are aligned vertically, whereas rotating the camera module 90 degrees and placing it horizontally at the top of the panel would have made more sense. Separating one of the three cameras from the other two and positioning the flash between them could also improve lighting performance. Additionally, this redesign would enhance stability when the phone is placed on a flat surface, avoiding the current rocking issue when folded.

Fundamentally, what Samsung should have delivered is a true trifold phone—one with three creases. This would require four screens instead of the current three. A four-screen design would eliminate folding errors entirely, removing the need for sensors, alarms, or vibration warnings. It would also allow for more practical aspect ratios, better video viewing, and improved multitasking. The additional surface area could be used to increase battery capacity, or alternatively, the outer screens could be made thinner to reduce overall folded thickness.

Speaker placement could then be optimized by positioning them at the upper outer corners of the two outer screens, delivering proper stereo sound. Finally, reinstating full S-Pen support would result in a genuinely innovative trifold device—one that would be extremely difficult to beat.

Samsung has the engineering capability and experience to lead this category, but this design feels like a missed opportunity rather than a breakthrough.

[meself]

Different

[Pianodude58]

Extravagant expenses to be spending, just for a phone.

[Mujibar]

Not just that, but a phone that would have limited cellular compatibility in the US. There will be a US version coming next year.

[MrGhoul]

I surely wouldn't be spending that crazy amount of $$$ on a phone. No phone is worth that amount of money to me.

[nullandvoid]

No phone should be worth that amount of money to anyone unless they don't have to, you know, eat or pay bills.