Priced at nearly $2,899 (approximately Rwf 4.2 million), the 10-inch trifold smartphone was primarily sold in South Korea and the United States, but its innovative design has drawn global attention as a glimpse into the future of mobile devices.
The Galaxy Z TriFold was first announced on December 1, 2025, made its debut in South Korea on December 12, and went on sale in the US on January 30. It features a 6.5-inch cover screen and two hinges that allow it to unfold into a 10-inch main display, combining smartphone portability with tablet-sized functionality.
According to Bloomberg, Samsung will begin the phase-out in its home market of South Korea and will stop selling the device in the US once current inventory is depleted. While the report cited a Samsung spokesperson, the company has not issued a formal public statement on the decision. In the US, the TriFold was available through Samsung’s website and select Experience Stores, with a few units reportedly sold recently in Texas and New York, shared by buyers on online communities.
Industry experts say the TriFold was never intended to be a regular part of Samsung’s lineup. South Korea’s Dong-A Ilbo reported that the device was designed as a “flagship showcase” to demonstrate Samsung’s technical prowess rather than to generate long-term profits. Only 3,000 units were sold on each of two days following the official release.
Rising component costs have also contributed to the device’s short market run. DRAM, NAND flash, and application processors, which power memory, storage, and operating systems, have surged in price this year due to increased demand for AI-related computing workloads. These higher costs reduced profit margins for the Galaxy Z TriFold, making it a niche luxury device rather than a mainstream smartphone.
Some of the tech enthusiasts who tested the device described it as “versatile, innovative and practical,” while noting that it is “not for everyone.” Its high price and limited availability have reinforced its status as a collectible tech statement rather than a mass-market product.
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