Samsung's been busy with some major reveals lately, and the latest One UI 8 beta has given us our most detailed look yet at their upcoming trifold device. Android Authority discovered that a new internal beta of One UI 8 has confirmed the chip that will appear in Samsung's triple-screen foldable, while 9to5Google found that Samsung has included an animation of the "tri-fold" in a build of One UI 8. What's particularly interesting is that the animation shows the device from the back and open while showing the user where the NFC antenna lies (9to5Google). This isn't just another concept—we're looking at real software integration for a device that could reshape the foldable market.
What makes Samsung's G-Fold design different?
Here's where things get interesting. Samsung's take on a "tri-fold" differs from the one from Huawei (9to5Google), and the design choice is pretty clever. Samsung's version puts the outer display in the middle of the three panels, opening more like a tri-fold poster board with displays coming from either side of the main, central panel (9to5Google). This G-shaped folding mechanism—where both hinges fold inward (Sammy Fans)—creates a unique user experience that prioritizes the center panel as your primary interface when folded.
Now, here's where Samsung's engineering really shines. The two hinges are different sizes (Android Central), which helps the phone fold flat without damaging the screen (Sammy Fans). Think about it—with three panels folding into a single device, you need to account for the thickness of each layer. By making the hinges different sizes, Samsung ensures everything aligns perfectly when closed while preventing screen damage from uneven pressure distribution.
There's even a warning in the software telling users not to fold the camera side first, because it could damage the device (Sammy Fans). This level of detail suggests Samsung has thought through real-world usage patterns extensively—they're building user protection directly into the software experience.
Snapdragon 8 Elite powers the experience
The leaked code strings tell us exactly what's under the hood, and it's impressive. In a new One UI 8 internal beta, developers spotted a string of code that mentions 'siop_q7mq_sm8750' (Android Authority). Breaking that down: the 'q7mq' part is known to be the codename for the tri-fold (Android Authority), while the 'sm8750' part is the model number for the Snapdragon 8 Elite (Android Authority). This confirms that Samsung's trifold will pack Qualcomm's flagship processor.
What does this mean for real-world performance? The Snapdragon 8 Elite brings serious computational power to handle the complex display management needed for a three-screen setup. We're talking about seamless app continuity across panels, intelligent display state management, and the processing muscle needed for what could be a 9.9/10-inch internal display when completely unfolded (Android Central)—that's true tablet-level computing in your pocket.
Samsung's internal code refers to the device as the "Multifold 7," which is speculated to be a codename (Android Central), though Samsung's "tri-fold" device is thought to be called the "Galaxy G Fold" (9to5Google). The premium processor choice signals Samsung's commitment to making this experimental form factor perform like a flagship device.
Camera and display layout revealed
The leaked animations give us a surprisingly clear picture of the hardware layout, and the engineering is more sophisticated than you might expect. The right-most panel seems to house the vertical, triple camera array, which looks similar to what we've seen on the Z Fold 6 (Android Central). The lenses appear raised onto a pill-shaped island, and the rings may also sport those thick black rings (Android Central)—maintaining design continuity with Samsung's current foldable family while adapting to this new three-panel format.
The display configuration is where things get strategically interesting. The center panel will house the phone's cover display and centered selfie camera, leaving the final panel empty (Android Central). This design choice means when folded, you get a traditional smartphone experience, but when fully unfolded, Samsung will place its internal display's selfie camera on the far right side when in use (Android Central). This asymmetric camera placement suggests Samsung has optimized for video calls and selfies in tablet mode.
One decision that might surprise tech enthusiasts: the upcoming Samsung Tri-Fold will not have under display camera (Sammy Fans). This suggests Samsung is prioritizing camera quality and user experience over cutting-edge display technology—a pragmatic choice for a premium experimental device where camera performance expectations will be sky-high.
Qi2 and NFC integration details
The One UI 8 animations reveal Samsung's attention to practical wireless connectivity challenges that come with a complex form factor. The animation shows the device from the back and open while showing the user where the NFC antenna lies (9to5Google). This detailed user guidance suggests Samsung recognizes that users need clear direction on where to position a trifold device for NFC payments and device pairing—no fumbling around trying to figure out which panel needs to touch the payment terminal.
Samsung is also exploring full-fledged Qi2 charging with built-in magnets (Sammy Fans). This represents a significant upgrade for Samsung users who have been waiting for MagSafe-style magnetic charging. The engineering challenge here is fascinating—determining optimal magnet placement across three panels without interfering with the dual-hinge folding mechanism or adding excessive bulk to an already complex device.
The strategic placement of both NFC and wireless charging components across a trifold design demonstrates Samsung's commitment to maintaining full functionality despite the mechanical complexity. This isn't just about adding more screens—it's about ensuring that every wireless feature works intuitively in this new form factor.
What's the timeline looking like?
The launch timing reveals Samsung's strategic approach to this experimental device. Samsung's "tri-fold" device is expected to be unveiled alongside Galaxy Z Fold 7 with an October launch (9to5Google), and next week's Unpacked event could host the phone's full reveal (Android Central). This timing allows Samsung to dominate the foldable conversation while testing market appetite for more complex form factors alongside their proven Z Fold design.
But here's the strategic catch: Samsung might only make a limited number of G Fold phones, starting around 200,000 units (Android Central). This limited production approach suggests Samsung is treating this as a premium market test rather than a mass-market push. It's smart positioning—create exclusivity, gather real-world user feedback, and scale production based on actual demand rather than assumptions.
The groundwork has been building for months, too. Samsung showed off the "Flex G" concept at MWC that worked in exactly the same way as the "tri-fold" device (9to5Google), demonstrating that this isn't a rushed response to competitors but a carefully planned evolution of their foldable strategy.
Where does this leave the foldable market?
These One UI 8 leaks confirm that Samsung isn't just following trends—they're actively defining the next generation of foldable technology. Samsung has yet to confirm the tri-fold officially, but the leak gives a hint that the Galaxy Tri-Fold could be very close to launch (Sammy Fans). The G-shaped folding mechanism, careful NFC antenna positioning, Qi2 magnetic charging integration, and detailed user guidance through software animations represent comprehensive engineering thinking that turns experimental concepts into practical devices.
The limited production strategy, combined with Snapdragon 8 Elite inclusion and extensive software integration, indicates Samsung is serious about making trifold technology work while being realistic about market readiness. With Samsung has reservations open for the Galaxy Z Fold 7 and Flip 7 ([9to5google.com/2025/07/03/samsung-tri-fold-one-ui-8-leak/]) already generating buzz, adding a trifold option creates a complete foldable ecosystem that addresses different user needs and price points.
What's particularly impressive is how Samsung has approached each engineering challenge as an opportunity to enhance user experience. Different-sized hinges prevent screen damage, strategic camera placement optimizes both folded and unfolded usage, careful wireless component positioning maintains functionality across form factors, and built-in software warnings protect users from device damage. These aren't afterthoughts—they're the foundation of making complex technology accessible.
Bottom line: these leaks show Samsung isn't just iterating on existing foldable designs—they're creating entirely new categories of mobile devices that challenge our assumptions about smartphone versatility. Whether the market embraces trifold technology remains to be seen, but Samsung's comprehensive approach to solving the engineering, user experience, and manufacturing challenges suggests they're building the foundation for the next evolution of mobile computing.
Comments
Be the first, drop a comment!