Samsung Developing Tri-Fold Smartphone: New Form Factor in the Works

Samsung Developing Tri-Fold Smartphone

In a surprising twist to the foldable phone saga, Samsung's cooking up something extraordinary. The tech giant's reportedly developing a smartphone that folds not once, not twice, but three times – slated for a 2025 release.

Technology Ready, But Market Hesitates

South Korean insiders reveal Samsung has already mastered the technical challenges of creating a triple-folding display. The company has even lined up suppliers for this innovative device. 

However, the final green light hinges on decisions from Samsung's MX (Mobile eXperience) division, which oversees complex phone development.

Current Market Challenges

The timing raises eyebrows, considering some telling market indicators:

  • Declining Demand: Orders for complex OLED panels have dropped by over 10%
  • Significant Production Cut: Display shipments for 2024 are projected at 12 million units
  • Year-over-Year Decline: That's a striking 40% decrease from 2023 numbers

Strategic Moves Amid Uncertainty

Despite slower adoption of current foldable models like the Galaxy Fold6 and Flip6, Samsung isn't backing down. Instead, they're pursuing two parallel strategies:

  1. Innovation Push: Development of the triple-folding technology
  2. Market Expansion: Potential release of a more affordable Galaxy Flip model

This dual approach suggests Samsung's commitment to the foldable phone market, even as they navigate current challenges. 

The triple-folding phone could represent either a bold push to reignite consumer interest or a strategic move to maintain their innovation leadership in the foldable space.

What This Means for Consumers

If Samsung proceeds with this triple-folding device, it could revolutionize how we think about smartphone form factors. The additional fold might enable new use cases or provide even more screen real estate in a pocket-sized device.

However, with current market conditions, the key question remains: Will Samsung find the right balance between innovation and market demand? The answer might shape the future of foldable devices.

Source: zdnet