TL;DR
A hands-on session with Samsung’s Z Trifold left the reviewer impressed by the extra hinge, which turns a phone into a small tablet-like device. The Trifold is already on sale in Korea and is expected in the US in Q1, though price and wider availability remain unclear.
What happened
At a pre-CES demo, a reviewer spent roughly an hour folding and unfolding Samsung’s Z Trifold and came away convinced the extra hinge meaningfully changes the user experience. The device uses two inward-closing hinges and feels springy enough to snap into its fully open configuration; folding it back requires closing the left panel first to avoid a strong haptic alert tied to the camera bump. Folded, the Trifold is thick and shows fingerprints on its back; fully opened it becomes impressively thin. The cover screen is taller and narrower than a typical phone display and the device can wobble when propped up on a table while folded. The reviewer noted the Trifold’s potential as a laptop replacement when paired with Samsung’s DeX, which on this model functions as a standalone windowed environment, and mentioned a Trifold-specific version of Adobe Lightroom. Samsung says the phone is already on sale in Korea and will arrive in the US in the first quarter of the year; pricing has not been disclosed.
Why it matters
- An extra hinge can change how often people unfold and use a foldable device, shifting it toward tablet-like workflows.
- DeX running as a standalone, windowed environment blurs the line between phone, tablet and laptop.
- Software optimized for the form factor (example: a Trifold-specific Lightroom build) could unlock new productivity and creative use cases.
- Physical design trade-offs — thickness folded, fingerprint-prone back, and wobble when propped — will factor into everyday usability for consumers.
Key facts
- The Z Trifold has two hinges that close inward, differing from some other dual-fold designs.
- Samsung’s Trifold is available in Korea and is expected to launch in the US in the first quarter of the year.
- The device snapped open in the reviewer’s hands and required a specific folding order to avoid a strong haptic alert tied to the camera bump.
- Folded, the Trifold is notably thick; fully unfolded it becomes surprisingly thin.
- The back panel attracts fingerprints quickly, according to the reviewer.
- There is a noticeable wobble when using the device folded and standing on a table.
- The outer cover screen is longer and narrower than a typical phone screen and fits in the reviewer’s slacks pocket.
- Samsung’s DeX on the Trifold operates as a standalone, windowed environment rather than only as a desktop when paired with an external display.
- Samsung confirmed a version of Adobe Lightroom is being made specifically for the Trifold.
What to watch next
- US launch details and official pricing in the first quarter of the year (price not disclosed in the source).
- How many third-party apps get Trifold-optimized versions beyond the Adobe Lightroom build mentioned.
- Whether Samsung will offer or endorse accessory solutions (keyboards, mice, stands) for sustained laptop-replacement workflows — not confirmed in the source.
- Broader consumer adoption and whether people will use the Trifold as a primary device instead of separate tablet and laptop hardware — not confirmed in the source.
Quick glossary
- Hinge (foldable phone): A mechanical joint that allows a foldable device’s display and body to bend or fold, affecting opening/closing behavior and durability.
- DeX: Samsung’s software mode that provides a desktop-style user interface for multitasking and windowed apps when using a mobile device.
- Cover screen: The external display exposed when a foldable phone is closed, used for quick interactions without opening the device.
- Inner screen: The main, larger display revealed when a foldable device is opened; typically used for expanded multitasking and content consumption.
Reader FAQ
Is the Z Trifold available in the US now?
Samsung says it will be available in the US sometime in the first quarter of the year.
How much does the Trifold cost?
Not confirmed in the source.
Does DeX work on the Trifold without an external display?
Yes — the reviewer noted DeX runs as a standalone, windowed environment on the Trifold.
Are there software apps optimized for the Trifold?
Samsung’s smartphone product head indicated there’s a specific version of Adobe Lightroom for the Trifold.
TECH GADGETS CES I just want to keep unfolding the Samsung Z Trifold Turns out another hinge really is a big deal. by Allison Johnson Jan 5, 2026, 4:02 AM…
Sources
- I just want to keep unfolding the Samsung Z Trifold
- Galaxy Z TriFold – Singapore
- Samsung Galaxy Z TriFold: Specs, U.S. release date, reviews
- How many folds does it take to break the Galaxy Z TriFold? …
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