Samsung Galaxy Z TriFold hands-on: Flexing is believing at CES 2026

Once I first heard whispers concerning the Samsung Galaxy Z TriFold, I instantly felt conflicted. On one hand it felt just like the pure evolution of bi-fold telephones just like the Z Fold 7. However on the opposite, all this fancy tech comes with a good larger value — round $2,500 based mostly on present conversion charges from Korean received — to not point out the added bulk you get from a 3rd folding panel. So whilst somebody who has used a foldable as my every day driver for nearly a decade straight, it felt like Samsung’s newest high-end telephone was going backwards by way of each portability and affordability. However then at CES 2026, I obtained an opportunity to go hands-on with the Galaxy Z TriFold and all of my considerations just about immediately disappeared as a result of with this factor, flexing is believing.

My preliminary consternation comes largely from utilizing the Z Fold 7, which hit a serious milestone this yr thanks to a revamped design that doesn’t include any added dimension or weight even when in comparison with comparable candybar-style telephones just like the Galaxy S25 Extremely. That’s a serious breakthrough contemplating how hefty and chunky the authentic Galaxy Fold was again in 2019. And once you examine the Z Fold 7’s dimensions (7.58 ounces and eight.9mm thick when folded) to the brand new TriFold (10.9 ounces and 12.9mm when folded), there’s little question that Samsung’s new flagship foldable comes with plenty of further bulk. To place issues into context, we’ve to return a number of generations to the Z Fold 5 simply to discover a comparable telephone with comparable thickness (13.4mm). And even then, that handset continues to be considerably lighter than the TriFold at 8.92 ounces.

However then I opened it up and my considerations have been rapidly pushed apart as a result of instantly you’re greeted with 10 inches of vivid AMOLED goodness. As a telephone that may pull double responsibility as a pill, the bounce up from the Z Fold 7’s 8-inch predominant show can’t be understated. Not solely does it make multitasking a lot simpler, when mixed with Samsung’s DeX desktop mode, you principally get a miniature laptop computer expertise from a tool that matches in a pocket. Particularly in case you don’t thoughts carrying round a travel-friendly mouse and keyboard. Plus, you’ll be able to join the TriFold to an exterior show (both wired or wirelessly) to entry much more display screen house. Far more than with the Z Fold 7, I can truthfully see myself leaving my PC at house and utilizing the TriFold as my major work system.

One other necessary however simply ignored improve on the Galaxy Z Trifold is the 4:3 facet ratio for its 10-inch predominant show. In comparison with the Z Fold 7 and its nearly completely sq. display screen, you simply get a lot further room on the edges for widescreen motion pictures and reveals. I examined this out by watching the trailer for Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey, and despite the fact that that film makes use of a brilliant broad facet ratio as a result of being filmed totally on IMAX cameras, the viewing expertise was simply so a lot better. Peak watchability is one thing the common Z Fold line has form of left by the wayside as the corporate moved to bigger exterior shows, which resulted within the sequence’ major display screen turning into extra sq.. The one draw back although is that the TriFold might make you extra of a decision snob, because it’s loads simpler to inform the distinction between 1080p and 2K or 4K on a bigger 10-inch panel.

The ultimate pillar of the TriFold’s package is all of the engineering that Samsung put into making it simple to open and shut. Merely shifting from one hinge to 2 whereas including a 3rd folding panel undersells the complexity of its design. Samsung truly makes use of two several types of magnets that push or pull relying on the place they’re, which makes accessing the TriFold’s major show virtually simply as simple as on the Z Fold 7. That’s no small feat. Opening and shutting this factor is simply so satisfying on a tactile degree, and that’s earlier than you take into account that there’s principally no downgrade by way of picture high quality.

Whereas there’s just one method to unfurl the TriFold, which could appear complicated at first, Samsung addressed that too by throwing up a warning and making the entire telephone vibrate in case you attempt to do it mistaken. After which there are parts just like the glass-reinforced carbon panels Samsung makes use of so as to add power and sturdiness to its chassis whereas holding it as skinny as potential. The one potential concern sooner or later is that in contrast to Samsung’s older foldables, there’s not as a lot room for enchancment to shrink its dimensions a lot additional, because the TriFold’s slimness is presently restricted by the dimensions of its USB-C jack. So if the subsequent mannequin needs to make huge good points there, it could have to go utterly portless.

On a sure degree, I sort of hate how a lot I just like the Galaxy Z TriFold. I actually don’t wish to return to greater, heavier telephones which are much more cumbersome and costly than the Z Fold 7. However the enchantment is inconceivable to disclaim and for individuals who love a superb multitasker, I can simply see how these tradeoffs are definitely worth the upside of Samsung’s newest apex foldable.

The Samsung Galaxy Z TriFold is presently on sale in South Korea, although we’re nonetheless ready for official pricing and availability for the US and North American market.