The Samsung Galaxy Z TriFold Is the Future (Even Though It’s Dead) | Lab Report

PCMag
PCMagMar 20, 2026

Why It Matters

The Z TriFold demonstrates Samsung’s engineering ceiling for foldables, forcing rivals to up their game, while its steep price confines it to power users, shaping the market’s trajectory toward premium, multi‑device convergence.

Key Takeaways

  • Samsung sells remaining Z TriFold stock despite discontinuation.
  • TriFold packs a 10‑inch AMOLED, 120 Hz display in ultra‑thin form.
  • Device runs Snapdragon 8 Elite, matching Fold 7 performance but costs $2,899.
  • Standalone DeX turns TriFold into a pocketable laptop without external screen.
  • Lack of S Pen support and high price limit mass‑market appeal.

Summary

The video reviews Samsung’s Galaxy Z TriFold, a discontinued yet still‑available foldable that combines phone, tablet, and laptop functions in a single device. Positioned as a bold statement to rivals, Samsung is liquidating remaining inventory while the market watches how the form factor evolves.

The TriFold houses a 10‑inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X screen with a 120 Hz refresh rate, folded dimensions comparable to the Fold 6, and a remarkably thin 4.3 mm profile when opened. Powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy chipset, it mirrors the performance of the Z Fold 7, offers 512 GB storage, 16 GB RAM, IP48 water‑dust resistance, and a 10‑hour battery life under heavy video streaming.

Pricing is a central theme: at $2,899 the TriFold costs $779 more than a similarly specced Fold 7 and rivals a combo of a Fold 7 plus a Galaxy Tab S11. While its cameras match the Fold 7, they fall short of the newer S26 Ultra, and the lack of S Pen support is highlighted as a missed opportunity. The reviewer praises the standalone DeX experience, which delivers a desktop‑like environment without an external monitor.

The analysis suggests the TriFold serves as Samsung’s proof‑of‑concept, pushing engineering limits and signaling that future foldables will be thinner, lighter, and more versatile. However, its premium price and niche appeal mean it remains a specialist device, influencing competitors to consider similar multi‑form factor strategies while awaiting broader consumer adoption.

Original Description

The Samsung Galaxy Z TriFold attempted to be an all-in-one phone, tablet, and even a makeshift laptop with the right accessories. It may just have been ahead of its time by a few years.
You can find the products mentioned in this video linked below
Apple iPad Pro 11″ (M4) 512GB https://zdcs.link/9wBJOb
*CNET may get a commission on these offers
Read more on PCMag.com:
I Tried Samsung's Triple-Folding Galaxy TriFold https://zdcs.link/zE87YM
0:00 Introduction to the Samsung Galaxy Z Trifold
00:27 Hardware and Dimensions
01:31 Engineering and Design
02:21 Portability and Weight Comparison
02:55 Display Quality and Features
04:29 Durability and Build Materials
05:03 Performance and Benchmarks
06:03 Pricing and Value Comparison
07:42 Camera Quality
08:17 Software and Productivity Features
08:38 Standalone Samsung DeX
09:47 Battery Life
10:01 Conclusion and Final Thoughts
Read more on PCMag.com
Check out PCMag's Amazon Storefront: https://zdcs.link/aNJxW2
Subscribe to PCMag's YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/PCMag
#samsung #galaxy #galaxyzfold7 #trifold #s26ultra

Comments

Want to join the conversation?

Loading comments...