Samsung set to debut tri-fold phone by year-end

(Samsung Electronics)

Samsung Electronics Co. is preparing to launch a tri-fold phone later in 2025 as it seeks to strengthen its leadership in form factor innovation.

Roh Tae-moon, acting head of Samsung’s Device Experience division, confirmed the company’s plans to launch the tri-fold phone at a press conference in New York on Wednesday (local time), where he said, “We will launch it when it meets our standards for completeness.”

The year-end release reflects Samsung’s view that foldables have moved beyond niche status. Initially showcased as the Flex S and Flex G concept devices at Mobile World Congress 2023, the tri-fold phone is a breakthrough in design that goes beyond the single-fold devices that are currently available in the market. Huawei Technologies Co. introduced its tri-fold XT2 in 2024, which reportedly fell short of market expectations for durability and performance. Samsung’s move also anticipates competition from Apple Inc., which will launch its own foldable device in 2026.

In parallel with hardware innovation, Samsung is accelerating the expansion of mobile artificial intelligence (AI). “We aimed to equip 200 million devices with Galaxy AI in 2024, and plan to expand that to 400 million in 2025,” Roh said. AI functionality will be extended to existing smartphones via software upgrades, with Samsung deciding to indefinitely extend the free AI upgrade program originally planned to conclude this year. “Galaxy AI’s core functions will remain free for the foreseeable future,” Roh added, while noting that pricing for premium AI features is still under review.

Galaxy AI is currently heavily reliant on Google LLC’s Gemini, raising questions about Samsung’s proprietary AI development. Roh described the company’s approach as “hybrid AI,” blending on-device and cloud capabilities to offer users choices regarding privacy, security, and performance. Samsung plans to integrate its internally developed Gauss and Bixby platforms with partner technologies and will continue investing to enhance Gauss’s performance.

Addressing trade policy risks, particularly around U.S. tariffs, Roh highlighted Samsung’s diversified global manufacturing footprint as a key strength, which allows for agile responses to evolving market conditions and trade environments.

Samsung, which recently acquired healthcare firm Xealth, is also accelerating merger and acquisition activity. “The Xealth acquisition will create synergies in connected care linked to hospital data,” Roh said, adding that the company is evaluating M&A opportunities across various sectors.