Samsung is reportedly planning a Galaxy Z TriFold 2 with a slimmer hinge for a mid-2027 launch, signaling a renewed push into foldable experimentation. This comes months after Samsung discontinued its original trifold phone, showing a shift rather than a full exit from the trifold form factor.
According to a leak on the Korean platform Naver, Samsung is developing not only the Galaxy Z TriFold 2 but also a prototype for its first sliding phone, potentially called Galaxy Slide. The updated trifold could launch alongside the Galaxy Z Fold 9 and Galaxy Z Flip 9 in summer 2027, while the Galaxy Slide may arrive in early 2028.
The Galaxy Z TriFold 2 is rumored to feature a much lighter and thinner hinge mechanism compared to its predecessor. However, the device itself may be thicker than both the original TriFold and the Galaxy Z Fold 7. This suggests Samsung is refining the design to improve manufacturability and profitability, aiming to compete with Huawei’s advanced trifolds like the Mate XT and Mate XTs.
Samsung’s focus on innovative foldable designs such as trifolds and sliders stands out as many competitors prioritize safer, incremental upgrades amid rising component costs. While these devices may remain niche products, their innovations could drive the foldable category forward and reinforce Samsung’s leadership in smartphone design challenges.
The original Galaxy Z TriFold’s short lifecycle demonstrated Samsung’s readiness to explore bold concepts but also the challenges of manufacturing and consumer acceptance. By mid-2027, a leaner hinge and improved engineering in the Galaxy Z TriFold 2 may help Samsung transform this experimental design into a commercially viable product.