Samsung Galaxy Z TriFold Reveals U-Shaped Folding Trick

Reviewed by Julianne Ngirngir

Just when we thought Samsung had shown us everything foldables could do, a leaked animation popped up and the tech world perked up. Samsung is prepping a new foldable category with the Galaxy Z TriFold, a tri-fold design instead of the usual dual-folding mechanism. And here’s the twist, recent leaks offer the first look at how it actually folds and unfolds, and it is not quite what we expected.

The animation, which appears to be from a One UI 8 build, points to something significant. Samsung is taking a different route than everyone else.

Samsung's U-shaped gamble: why this fold is different

What jumps out first, the tri-fold folds inward in a U-shape, not like the Huawei Mate XT’s S-fold. That is not just a design choice; it is a stance. While Huawei’s approach flips part of the main screen to the outside, Samsung keeps the flexible layer tucked inside.

The leaked animations show a central cover display with two folding panels. Picture it: open the device and a panel unfolds from each side of the cover screen. Close it and the right panel goes in first, then the left panel caps it off.

This inward fold brings practical wins. Screen protection takes priority, so there is no exposed flexible layer when shut. You also get a more uniform slab when closed, which makes case design simpler.

There is another neat touch. The dual hinge is tuned to spread stress across both folding points. The folding sequence starts on the right, then the left follows, so the main display stays protected and the motion feels repeatable for the long haul.

What the leaked animations actually reveal

Here is the fun bit. The clips show the Galaxy Z TriFold can shoot selfies with the main rear cameras, much like Samsung’s existing Fold line, only with an extra panel in play. The camera placement seems tuned for clear previews, positioned to the viewer’s left.

And yes, there is one continuous screen. Thanks to the Z-fold motion, part of that panel stays visible when folded, turning into the outer display without a second screen bolted on. Simple, smart, tidy.

The animations also hint at useful half-open modes. The tri-fold layout lets you use the main camera array for high-quality selfies, previewing on the exposed panel while the better rear optics do the heavy lifting. It is the kind of everyday trick that makes foldables feel special.

Stack it against Huawei’s Mate XT and the difference in philosophy shows. The S-fold leaves part of the display on the outside, Samsung’s U-shape keeps the entire flexible panel covered when closed, a direct answer to durability worries that have dogged early foldables.

When can we actually get our hands on one?

Here is where the timeline gets fuzzy. Some leaks hint at a staggered release, select markets first, wider rollout in 2026. There is also chatter about an event in Korea on 29 September that could spotlight the device.

Production sounds cautious. Samsung aims to build a small batch of around 300,000 units for the first run, a limited launch that matches the complexity, and the price tag this kind of engineering usually commands.

All signs point to very limited availability at first, then a broader push the following year if things go smoothly. That mirrors the original Galaxy Fold playbook, small start, real-world feedback, iterate. Rumors suggest an unveiling by the end of this month with a limited October release, aimed at enthusiasts who like living on the bleeding edge.

The bigger picture: where foldables are heading

This is not just another phone. It is Samsung stretching the form factor again, the first additional type of foldable since the Galaxy Z Flip more than five years ago.

The animations may look simple, yet they suggest months of mechanical fine tuning. They are not a literal model of final hardware, but they are the clearest peek at Samsung’s direction so far.

Samsung has been building to this moment for years. Prototypes at CES 2022 and MWC Barcelona 2025, patents from 2021 through 2023, and now software cues inside One UI 8, all of it points to active development, not a lab fantasy.

The tri-fold is Samsung’s pitch for a tablet replacement. Open it fully and you are looking at roughly 10 inches of screen, enough room for productivity, media, and multitasking that current dual-fold designs strain to match. Fold it up and it still slips into a pocket. Big screen when you need it, compact when you do not.

Bottom line, Samsung seems to be playing it steady with the Galaxy Z TriFold, prioritizing durability and day-to-day usability over a rushed splash. If the leaked animations are any indication, the U-shaped mechanism plus Samsung’s foldable chops could set the tone for tri-folds that are not just flashy demos, but tools you will actually enjoy using. I am cautiously excited.