Samsung's tri-fold phone has been one of the worst-kept secrets in tech lately, but a fresh leak is giving us our clearest look yet at what this ambitious device will actually do. Samsung executives publicly acknowledged the device's existence and launch plans, with a target release by late 2025. The company is reportedly gearing up to launch this game-changing triple-folding smartphone called the Galaxy G Fold. But here's what makes this leak different: it's coming from Samsung itself, buried deep in their One UI 8 software where animation files reveal the tri-fold design with two inward-folding hinges.
What makes this leak particularly significant is how it emerged from Samsung's own ecosystem. The leak came from inside the house—literally baked into their own One UI 8 software, where animation files discovered show Samsung's commitment to the tri-fold concept. Samsung's mobile chief has been direct about their timeline too, stating "We are working hard on a tri-fold smartphone with the goal of launching it at the end of this year".
The timing couldn't be more strategic. With tri-fold technology finally mature enough for mass production and wireless capabilities reaching new performance thresholds, Samsung's approach focuses on creating a device where advanced connectivity isn't just an add-on—it's essential to the entire user experience.
What makes this tri-fold different from the competition?
The leaked details show Samsung taking a fundamentally different approach than Huawei's Mate XT. Instead of the S-shaped fold that combines inward and outward folding, Samsung's going full G-fold with both hinges folding inward. This creates what Samsung calls the "Flex G" design, where the two outer sides fold inward providing protection for the internal 10-inch tablet-sized screen when the device is closed.
Samsung's engineering approach reveals careful attention to durability. The two hinges are different sizes, which helps the phone fold flat without damaging the screen. There's even a specific folding sequence—the smaller hinge needs to be folded first, and Samsung's built in a warning animation telling users not to fold the camera side first. This protective design philosophy directly enables more robust wireless performance by creating secure housing for sensitive antenna arrays and charging coils.
The inward-folding design isn't just about screen protection—it's about wireless optimization. Connectivity features will include 5G, Wi-Fi 7, and Bluetooth, plus it will support stereo speakers, NFC, and possibly Samsung DeX. Recent leaks also suggest NFC payments, wireless charging, and reverse charging will be part of the package.
The practical implications are impressive. You've got a device that unfolds to 10 inches—iPad mini territory—but with full 5G connectivity and Wi-Fi 7 speeds that can handle bandwidth-intensive tasks across multiple app instances. The reverse charging feature leverages the tri-fold's expanded surface area, essentially turning your phone into a wireless charging pad for other devices when unfolded.
The "Split Trio" feature that could change everything
Here's where Samsung's software innovation really shines. The leak reveals a feature called "Split Trio" that's likely to debut with One UI 8.5. On the big 10.1-inch internal foldable display, you will reportedly be able to use multiple apps side by side.
The real innovation lies in the mirroring capability. The contents of three home screens from the device's cover screen are said to be able to be mirrored on the internal screen. Think about it: your cover screen becomes a preview of what you'll see when you unfold the device, with the mirror feature being toggleable for those who prefer a cleaner experience.
This creates unprecedented demands on wireless infrastructure. Imagine streaming content on one section while video calling on another, and managing your smart home devices on the third panel. The Split Trio feature requires not just Wi-Fi 7's increased bandwidth, but also the low-latency performance that 5G provides for real-time applications.
The multitasking possibilities extend beyond traditional phone use. You could have your email client running on one section, a web browser on another, and maybe your music streaming app controls on the third—all while wirelessly casting content to a smart TV in the background. Samsung's wireless connectivity stack becomes the foundation that makes this level of computing possible in a mobile form factor.
Specs that actually matter for wireless performance
The Galaxy G Fold isn't just about the folding gimmick—Samsung's packing serious hardware that'll make those wireless features sing. It'll likely run on the Snapdragon 8 Elite chip with up to 16GB of RAM, which means all that wireless connectivity and multitasking won't bog down the system.
The Snapdragon 8 Elite's advanced NPU becomes crucial for managing multiple wireless-dependent applications simultaneously. Features like real-time translation during video calls or AI-powered photo editing can process on-device rather than constantly pinging the cloud—essential when you're running three different apps that might otherwise compete for bandwidth.
The camera setup should include a 200MP main camera, 12MP ultra-wide, 10MP 3x optical zoom, and 10MP front camera—hardware that transforms the tri-fold into a content creation powerhouse. With a 10-inch display and professional-grade cameras, you could wirelessly stream your photo editing session to a larger display while using the tri-fold as both viewfinder and editing interface.
Battery management becomes critical with this much wireless activity. Leaks suggest around 5,000 mAh or slightly more capacity, which should handle the power demands of that massive display and all the wireless radios. The reverse charging capability means this device could serve as a wireless power bank for your other devices—practical when you're dealing with something this size and battery capacity.
The engineering challenge of fitting 5G antennas, Wi-Fi 7 radios, NFC coils, and wireless charging components into a form factor that bends and folds thousands of times represents a significant technical achievement. Samsung's solution appears to distribute these components across the three sections, providing redundancy and optimal signal performance regardless of the device's folded state.
The reality check: pricing and availability
Let's talk numbers, because this isn't going to be cheap. Samsung's tri-fold is expected to cost over $2,941 with limited production of around 200,000 units initially. Production is starting in September with only 200,000 units initially, and the device will likely be sold mainly in South Korea and China.
This limited availability reflects Samsung's strategic response to Huawei's Mate XT, which became the world's first commercial tri-fold phone in late 2024. Rather than rushing to market, Samsung appears to be taking a measured approach—testing consumer response while perfecting the integration of advanced wireless technologies with the complex tri-fold hardware.
The pricing starts to make sense when you consider the wireless capabilities alongside the form factor innovation. This device potentially replaces a smartphone, tablet, and mobile hotspot while offering wireless charging capabilities for other devices. The Wi-Fi 7, 5G, and advanced antenna engineering required to make this work across multiple folding states represents significant R&D investment.
The limited production run also addresses the manufacturing complexity of tri-fold displays and the sophisticated wireless components required. Samsung's goal is to beat competitors to market and reinforce its foldable leadership, even if it means starting with premium pricing and exclusive availability before scaling to broader markets.
Where do we go from here?
The Galaxy G Fold represents more than just Samsung showing off—it's a glimpse into how wireless features will evolve with new form factors. Samsung's internal codename 'Multifold 7' suggests this isn't a one-off experiment but part of a broader product roadmap. The device is expected to be a luxury, high-priced, limited-edition product serving as a showcase of Samsung's advanced foldable technology.
What's particularly compelling is how this device could influence wireless connectivity standards. Right now, most flagship phones treat advanced wireless features as nice-to-have additions. The tri-fold concept fundamentally changes this equation—Wi-Fi 7 speeds become essential when you're potentially streaming content to three different sections of your display. 5G connectivity becomes crucial when you're using your tri-fold as a mobile workstation that needs consistent, high-bandwidth connections.
The wireless integration isn't just about raw performance; it's about enabling entirely new computing paradigms. NFC and wireless charging capabilities start to make sense when your device can serve as a hub for other gadgets. The ability to unfold a 10-inch display while maintaining seamless connectivity to cloud services, smart home devices, and other smartphones represents a significant step toward truly mobile computing.
With Samsung's mobile chief stating "We are working hard on a tri-fold smartphone with the goal of launching it at the end of this year," we're looking at a device that could redefine what wireless connectivity means in the foldable era. The question isn't whether Samsung can pull this off technically—the leaks suggest they already have. The real question is whether consumers are ready for a $3,000 phone that folds twice and whether those advanced wireless features will justify the premium.
Bottom line: Samsung's tri-fold isn't just about cramming more screen into your pocket. It's about creating a new category of device that leverages cutting-edge wireless technologies to enable computing experiences we haven't seen before. Whether that vision resonates with enough consumers to justify the engineering effort remains to be seen, but the technical achievement is undeniably impressive.
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