Latest Rumour Alleges Samsung To Launch New Tri-Fold Device This Year
Tri-fold Flex S prototype from Samsung (Image: Samsung)
A new tip from leaker Yogesh Brar suggests Samsung is preparing to launch a third foldable device alongside this year’s iteration of the Galaxy Z Fold and Galaxy Z Flip. What’s interesting about what’s believed to be the third model in the South Korean tech giant’s foldable lineup is that it will also be the first to feature a dual-hinged, triple-folding design.
For one thing, Samsung has been thinking about introducing a foldable device of this concept for some time, so there’s a chance Brar’s tip might amount to something. The first instance of a tri-fold smartphone was teased back in 2020 via an official Samsung Display blog post resembling the Flex S concept shown during CES 2022. For the uninitiated, this particular prototype featured a fold-in and fold-out approach that creates a double curve resembling the letter “S,” hence its name. It looks like the letter “Z” if you ask us, but we all know that letter is already taken.
Contrary to recent rumours, there is no Galaxy S23 FE in the development chain.
Samsung is instead working on the improved Z Fold 5 & Flip 5 along with a Tri-Fold that might finally ship this year
FE fans should look elsewhere…
— Yogesh Brar (@heyitsyogesh) March 24, 2023
However, the leakster hasn’t specified whether the supposedly forthcoming Tri-Fold will actually adopt the Flex S’ folding style. There is also the possibility that it is not a smartphone at all, but a tablet.
The reason we’re pointing this out is that Samsung also unveiled two other tri-fold concepts during last year’s CES. These are known as Flex G prototypes, one of which is presented as a smartphone and the other as a foldable tablet. Unlike the Flex S, the Duo features a booklet-like inner-fold style. It’s also worth noting that the smartphone version also comes with a slot for an S Pen accessory on the right side of the inner screen.
Whichever concept Samsung pursues, it looks like the brand could be the first to commercially launch a tri-fold smartphone or tablet – assuming Brar’s tip proves correct, of course. One thing is for sure, expect that such devices will definitely come at a staggering price point, especially given that they can be considered a step up from already premium products like the brand’s own Galaxy Fold Z series as well as other foldable devices like that HONOR Magic V and OPPO Find N
Aside from Samsung’s rumored tri-fold smartphone, Brar also brought up another tip that’s far less exciting. In the same tweet, the leakster claims the tech giant has no plans to release an FE variant of this year’s Galaxy S23 series, something that has also been hinted at by WinFuture’s Roland Quandt earlier this month. If true, this is the second time Samsung has refrained from launching an intermediate model for its flagship smartphones – another solidification a previous rumor regarding the cancellation of the entire Fan Edition line-up.
For sure it doesn’t look like there will be an S23 FE this year.
— Roland Quandt (@rquandt) March 10, 2023
In a somewhat related note, separate reports claim that the South Korean company could also release its first-ever foldable laptop this year. The device is believed to feature a 17.3-inch foldable OLED display in a form factor that may or may not resemble the Lenovo ThinkPad X1 or the ASUS Zenbook 17 Fold OLED.
(Source: Yogesh Brar)