Ever since Samsung made foldable phones the next big thing back in 2019 with the first Galaxy Fold, we have a good variety of book-type and flip foldable phones globally. While the push lately is making flip phones more accessible price-wise, brands are exploring different form factors. One of the most-talked about are tri-fold foldable phones, which we speculate might be the next big thing.
Tri-fold phones have been a proof of concept since the early 2020s, and it seems that 2025 might be the year when it will be finally be available to consumers. Let’s look back at the progression of this new form factor:
TCL
TCL was the first to reveal a tri-fold concept phone back in 2020, but it was more of a proof of concept back then. Those who have saw it in person were in awe at its dual-hinge design that has different ways of unfolding. The bezels were thick, and no one was allowed to fold and unfold it.
Samsung
While Samsung showcased different flexible OLED concepts back in 2021, it was only at CES 2022 that they revealed their tri-fold concept phone. Compared to TCL’s concept from 2020, Samsung’s tri-fold phone looks more polished as evident with the display bezels, but is still on the thick side–something newer tri-fold concept phones manage to solve.
Huawei
Unlike the rest of the brands in this list, Huawei appears to be the first brand to announce a tri-fold phone after being spotted at the hands of its CEO several times. Those who saw it describe it as an ultra-thin device that has a 10-inch screen when unfolded. There’s also a sizable camera module at the back, and it’s speculated to be part of the Mate X line of foldables.
TECNO
TECNO surprised everyone when they revealed their Phantom Ultimate 2 concept phone, and even showed the different ways one can use the tri-fold device. TECNO event went far on revealing the size of the display in folded and unfolded statres, along with some of the tech they are using to keep it slim at just 11mm folded.
OPPO
While OPPO did explore on the idea of a multi-folding device back in 2020, it is only this year that they revealed their plans for a tri-fold phone. While the idea is similar to what TECNO has with the Phantom Ultimate 2, it appears that OPPO’s tri-fold phone has significantly slimmer display bezels and what appears to be vegan leather for all three back panels.
BONUS: Xiaomi
While still in the rumor mill, Xiaomi reportedly has plans of launching its own tri-fold phone in 2025, and details remain scarce for now. What’s only known so far is that Xiaomi plans to debut it  at MWC 2025–together with the global debut of the Xiaomi 15 series.
With more and more brands revealing their plans for their own tri-fold devices, we think that this might be the next new hot form factor after flip and book-type foldable devices.
1 Comment