Samsung drops biggest hint yet of 2025 launch for its tri-fold phone

The last time there was some form factor innovation in Samsung's foldable series was back in 2020 when it unveiled the first Galaxy Z Flip device. The clamshell foldable joined the book-style Galaxy Z Fold foldables and both models have been refreshed every year since then.

What Samsung hasn't done over the last year years is go beyond these form factors, but it may finally do that in 2025. The company dropped a major hint during its Q1 2025 earnings call today that may suggest its tri-fold phone could be out this year.

It has been rumored for years that Samsung will adopt the tri-fold form factor for its foldable devices. The company essentially confirmed it earlier this year when it listed what was evidently a tri-fold phone in a lineup of its upcoming devices.

When asked during the conference call about its strategy for foldables, Samsung said that it will “maximize product competitiveness based on form factor innovation.” It added that competitiveness will be improved by focusing on portability and performance, while Galaxy AI will be optimized for foldables to deliver an enhanced user experience.

“Foldables will offer large-screen experiences for Fold” may also be a nod to the expected 9.9-inch display of the tri-fold device. The company also said that “it is important to ensure usability that meets customer expectations in real-life usage environments” for new form factors.

There wouldn't be talk of “form factor innovation” if the hint here wasn't about the tri-fold device. New iterations of the Galaxy Z Fold and Z Flip can hardly be called form factor innovation, just like the same can't be said for every new Galaxy S Ultra phone.

Rumors have suggested that Samsung's tri-fold, possibly called the Galaxy G Fold, may be launched before the end of this year. The first iteration may only be available in a handful of markets and in limited numbers, before a wider launch for the second iteration next year.