Samsung will unveil its revolutionary tri-fold smartphone at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in late October, marking the company’s most ambitious foldable device yet. The Korean tech giant plans to debut the Galaxy G Fold during the APEC meetings in Gyeongju, South Korea, according to breaking reports from Yonhap News Agency, positioning the device as a flagship innovation ahead of the holiday season.
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APEC Summit to Host Groundbreaking Reveal
Samsung has chosen the prestigious international stage of APEC for its tri-fold smartphone debut, with the summit scheduled for October 31 and November 1 in Gyeongju. This strategic timing aligns with multiple industry rumors that have circulated throughout 2025 about Samsung’s plans to revolutionize the foldable market. The APEC summit typically attracts global business leaders and policymakers, providing Samsung with maximum visibility for what could be its most technologically advanced mobile device to date.
The selection of APEC follows Samsung’s pattern of using high-profile events to launch category-defining products. Industry analysts note that the timing suggests Samsung wants to position the device as not just another smartphone but as a productivity tool for business professionals. The Gyeongju location in South Korea’s North Gyeongsang province also symbolizes Samsung’s commitment to showcasing Korean innovation on the global stage, particularly as the company faces increasing competition from Chinese manufacturers in the foldable segment.
Global Release Strategy Remains Uncertain
Despite the imminent reveal, Samsung has not clarified whether the tri-fold phone will receive a global release or remain limited to South Korea and China. This uncertainty mirrors the company’s approach with the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold SE, which launched exclusively in those two markets in 2024 before many of its features appeared in the globally available Z Fold 7. Industry observers point to several factors that could influence Samsung’s decision, including production capacity, pricing strategy, and market readiness for a third folding screen.
According to Counterpoint Research, the global foldable smartphone market grew 45% year-over-year in the first half of 2025, with Samsung maintaining its leadership position. However, manufacturing complexities for a tri-fold device could initially limit availability. Samsung’s mobile division must balance the desire for widespread adoption with the practical constraints of producing a device with multiple folding mechanisms and additional screens, which typically require more specialized components and assembly processes.
Z Fold 7 Success Could Influence Distribution
Samsung’s recent success with the Galaxy Z Fold 7 may significantly impact the tri-fold phone’s distribution strategy. Company data reveals the Z Fold 7 is selling at a “record pace,” with sales exceeding the Z Fold 6 by 50%. Notably, nearly 30% of Z Fold 7 purchases are coming from previous Galaxy Ultra owners, indicating strong adoption among Samsung’s premium customer base. This performance suggests established demand for innovative form factors that could justify a broader tri-fold release.
The Z Fold 7’s global performance has exceeded Samsung’s internal projections, according to Strategy Analytics. Market analysts suggest that the stronger-than-expected sales demonstrate growing consumer comfort with foldable technology and willingness to pay premium prices for cutting-edge devices. Samsung CEO TM Roh previously confirmed the tri-fold phone would launch in 2025, while Drew Blackard, Samsung’s US Senior VP of Mobile Product Management, has conducted multiple interviews discussing the company’s foldable vision without committing to specific market availability.
Technical Innovation and Market Positioning
The tri-fold phone represents Samsung’s most significant engineering achievement in the foldable category since the original Galaxy Fold’s 2019 debut. While specifications remain officially undisclosed, industry leaks suggest the device will feature three separate display panels that can form either a tablet-sized screen or multiple coordinated workspaces. This design could potentially offer unprecedented multitasking capabilities and media consumption experiences that differentiate it from existing foldables.
Samsung’s patent filings, available through the United States Patent and Trademark Office, reveal extensive research into multi-fold mechanisms and durable hinge systems. The company has invested heavily in ultra-thin glass technology and protective coatings that can withstand repeated folding, addressing durability concerns that plagued earlier foldable models. As IDC notes in its latest mobile market analysis, Samsung continues to lead foldable innovation despite increasing competition, with the tri-fold device potentially setting a new benchmark for the entire category.
References
- Yonhap News Agency – Original reporting on APEC launch plans
- Counterpoint Research – Foldable market growth data
- Strategy Analytics – Mobile market analysis
- United States Patent and Trademark Office – Samsung’s foldable technology patents
- IDC – Mobile device market intelligence
