Samsung Electronics Co. is preparing to enter the tri-fold smartphone market with plans to produce 200,000 units starting in the second quarter, intensifying competition in the foldable device segment.
The South Korean technology leader will introduce a device with two inward-folding hinges, distinguishing it from Huawei Technologies Co.’s Mate XT that combines inward and outward folding mechanisms. The new model will feature a display just under 10 inches when fully opened.
To accommodate the complex production requirements of the tri-fold device, Samsung is accelerating component manufacturing for its upcoming Galaxy Z Fold 7. The company has already selected primary suppliers and is now finalizing secondary vendor partnerships.
The tri-fold launch comes as Samsung faces mounting pressure from Chinese manufacturers who have developed thinner foldable phones, some as slim as 9 millimeters. In response, Samsung released the Galaxy Z Fold SE at 10.6 millimeters thick, though it sold fewer than 100,000 units.
Samsung targets total foldable phone shipments of 7 million units this year, including 3 million Z Flip 7 devices, 2 million Z Fold 7 models, and 900,000 Z Flip FE units. Industry sources say Apple continues discussions with Korean component makers about its own foldable device plans.
