The original Galaxy Z TriFold barely spent enough time in the market to warm pockets before Samsung pulled the plug on it. The company launched the phone on January 30, 2026, as the world’s first mass-market triple-fold smartphone sold in the United States, but it was discontinued just three months later.
However, Samsung hasn’t given up on the concept yet, as it’s already engineering a sequel and starting from the hinge.
Why is the hinge such a big deal?
Supply chain sources now indicate that Samsung is developing an entirely new hinge solution to make the TriFold 2 meaningfully slimmer. The company could focus on “lightweight and ultra-slim design,“ according to a Korean blog called Naver.
The TriFold 2’s new hinge has reportedly completed most of the verification process. The device, for now, is targeting a mid-2027 launch (if everything goes well). For buyers eyeing the foldable space, that’s a long wait, but a thinner triple-foldable could surely be worth it.
On a triple-folding phone, the hinge isn’t just a hinge; it’s the foundation that determines the entire experience. Get it wrong, and you have a chunky, fragile slab that nobody wants to carry around.
Why do other Samsung foldables benefit too?
The original Galaxy Z TriFold measures 3.9-4.2 mm when flat and 12.9 mm when folded, which, in my opinion, is quite respectable for a three-panel device.
Here’s where it gets really interesting for everyone, and not just for the TriFold enthusiasts. A simplified but improved version of the new hinge on the original TriFold, with some technical adjustments, could also make its way to the Fold 8 and Flip 8.
In other words, the engineering effort behind an ultra-premium foldable device could trickle down to Samsung’s mainstream foldable lineup.