You Won't Believe What Samsung's New Smartphone Can Do—Is It Worth the Hype?

As the tech world emerges from its post-holiday slumber, January serves as a pivotal transition period, culminating in the annual Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas. This year, it’s no different. The second week of January marks the official return to routine in tech, showcasing innovations that hint at future trends. Among the most intriguing reveals this year is Samsung's latest foldable device, the Galaxy Z TriFold.

The Galaxy Z TriFold marks a significant milestone for Samsung as it expands its foldable lineup, joining the ranks of the well-known Z Fold and Z Flip. This device, which folds into three segments, is designed to maximize screen real estate, offering a substantial 10-inch display when fully opened. From initial impressions, the device exudes a premium feel, boasting an impressively thin profile of just 3.9 mm.

Equipped with two distinct hinge systems, the Galaxy Z TriFold maintains stability, a notable achievement considering its multi-fold design. The display features Samsung's Dynamic AMOLED 2X technology with a 120Hz refresh rate, delivering a viewing experience that feels closer to that of a tablet than a traditional smartphone. Users can expect smooth interactions whether they are watching videos, multitasking across multiple windows, or simply scrolling through content. Notably, the double fold design minimizes crease lines, an improvement over traditional foldable devices.

Internally, the Galaxy Z TriFold is powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite processor, featuring a robust 16GB of RAM and storage options extending up to 1TB. The camera setup is equally impressive, highlighted by a 200-megapixel sensor that promises high-quality photography. However, the device's impressive specs may not entirely offset some practical limitations that arise during everyday use.

Users report that the tri-fold design can lead to confusion when closing the device. There is a specific folding direction that must be adhered to, which is not always intuitive. Samsung has incorporated alerts that vibrate and display on-screen notifications to guide users, but many find the handling to be cumbersome, suggesting that the device requires more focused attention rather than being a seamless fit in a pocket.

Additionally, the external display measures 6.5 inches and also uses Dynamic AMOLED 2X technology, making it bright and functional for quick interactions like checking notifications or sending messages without fully opening the device. However, when folded, the Galaxy Z TriFold reaches a thickness of 12.9 mm, making it feel notably heftier compared to standard smartphones and even other foldables. This added bulk raises questions about the necessity of a tri-fold format, especially when the cover screen performs adequately but the overall device may feel unwieldy.

In conclusion, while the Galaxy Z TriFold embodies impressive technological advancements and showcases Samsung's innovative spirit, it still appears to be a concept rather than a fully mature product suitable for everyday use. It has succeeded in generating significant interest at CES 2026, but it remains to be seen how this groundbreaking design will evolve into the next wave of foldable devices. As of now, it is not available for sale in the U.S., and Samsung has yet to disclose an official price.

Disclosure: The author attended the exhibition as a guest of Dreame.