Samsung has finally entered the tri-fold arena with the Galaxy Z TriFold, unveiled on December 1, 2025, as its boldest foldable yet. This multi-hinge marvel unfolds twice to reveal a massive 10-inch workspace, blending phone portability with tablet productivity in a premium package. Priced at 3.59 million KRW (~$2,449 USD) for the single 16GB RAM/512GB storage variant (in Crafted Black), it’s available starting December 12 in South Korea, with launches in China, Taiwan, Singapore, UAE, and the US (Q1 2026). Backed by Samsung’s decade of foldable expertise, the Z TriFold targets creators and multitaskers craving cinematic screens without the bulk. But at a premium clip, how does it stack against Huawei’s pioneering Mate XT (launched September 2024)? We break down the features, specs, pricing, and deliver a head-to-head to see if Samsung’s entry dethrones the Chinese trailblazer—or if it’s just catching up.
Design and Build: Dual Hinges, Inward Protection, and Tablet-Thin Ambition
The Z TriFold’s star is its dual titanium hinges—a first for Samsung—enabling a book-like unfold that protects the main display with an inward-folding mechanism. No visible creases mar the experience, thanks to “minimized” engineering and a thin metal guard for the folding axis. When closed, it’s a compact 6.5-inch cover screen slab (159.9 x 75.9 x 12.9mm, 309g); half-unfold for 8.2 inches, full unfold for the 10-inch behemoth (253.1mm diagonal, ~159.9 x 219 x 3.9-4.2mm thick).
At 3.9mm thin unfolded (thinnest at the display edge), it’s slimmer than most tablets yet rugged with IP48 dust/water resistance—surviving splashes but not full submersion. The aluminum frame houses a side-mounted fingerprint sensor, and the rear camera bump integrates flush for table stability. Colors? Exclusive Crafted Black vegan leather for grip and premium feel. It’s heavier than a Galaxy Z Fold 7 (215g), but the distributed weight and auto-alarm (alerts improper folds) make it surprisingly ergonomic. Accessories like a kickstand case ($99) enhance desktop mode.
Display: Immersive 10-Inch Canvas for Work and Play
Samsung’s Dynamic AMOLED 2X inner display (10 inches, ~2208 x 1768 resolution, 120Hz LTPO, 2,600 nits peak) is the hero—25% larger than the Z Fold 7’s 7.6-inch, with minimized bezels and HDR10+ for cinematic viewing. The 6.5-inch Super AMOLED cover screen (1080 x 2316, 120Hz) handles quick tasks, while Flex Mode auto-adjusts apps for split-screen multitasking (up to three apps simultaneously).
Galaxy AI shines here: Circle to Search on the vast canvas, Note Assist for real-time summaries, and Live Translate for calls. Gaming? Optimized for 120fps with low-latency touch. It’s not crease-free like Huawei’s, but Samsung’s “Flex Hinge” tech keeps it subtle.
Performance: Flagship Firepower in Foldable Form
Under the hood, the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 (overclocked for Samsung) pairs with 16GB LPDDR5X RAM and 512GB UFS 4.0 storage (no expansion). Benchmarks? AnTuTu ~3.9M, Geekbench single/multi ~3,700/11,500—rivaling the Galaxy S25 Ultra for seamless multitasking on that 10-inch slab. One UI 8 (Android 16) promises 7 years of updates, with DeX for PC-like productivity.
Thermal management via vapor chamber keeps it cool during exports or AR sessions. No SD card slot, but UWB enables precise sharing/finding.
Camera System: S25-Level Snaps on a Foldable
The rear triple borrows from the S25 Ultra: 200MP main (f/1.7, OIS, 1/1.3″ sensor) for pro detail, 12MP ultrawide (f/2.2, 120°), and 10MP 3x telephoto (f/2.4, OIS)—up to 30x Space Zoom. Dual 10MP selfies (f/2.2) cover inner/outer screens. Video? 8K/30fps Dolby Vision with AI Director’s View (multi-angle capture using the big display).
It’s versatile for vloggers (fold for third-person shots), but low-light noise trails Huawei’s variable aperture. Solid, not revolutionary.
Battery and Charging: Balanced for the Beast
The 5,600mAh silicon-carbon battery endures 12-14 hours of mixed use (up from Fold 7’s 4,400mAh), with 45W wired (full in 65 mins), 15W wireless, and reverse charging. It’s adequate for the 10-inch draw but lags Huawei’s 5,600mAh efficiency. No charger included.
Price and Availability: Premium Entry to Tri-Fold Club
- South Korea: 3.59M KRW (~$2,449) – December 12.
- China/Taiwan/Singapore/UAE: Mid-December, ~$2,500-$2,600.
- US/Europe: Q1 2026, $2,599 (256GB rumored base, but confirmed 512GB only).
- Bundles: Free S Pen case ($150 value) for preorders.
Trade-ins up to $800 off via Samsung.com.
Head-to-Head: Samsung Galaxy Z TriFold vs. Huawei Mate XT
Huawei’s Mate XT (launched September 2024, global February 2025) beat Samsung to tri-fold glory, but the Z TriFold counters with ecosystem polish. Huawei’s HarmonyOS lacks Google services outside China, a dealbreaker for many.
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy Z TriFold | Huawei Mate XT Ultimate |
|---|---|---|
| Price (Base) | $2,449 (512GB) | $2,800 (256GB); up to $3,370 (1TB) |
| Design/Weight | Dual titanium hinges, 309g, 3.9mm unfolded | Dual hinges (Z-fold), 298g, 3.6mm unfolded |
| Main Display | 10″ Dynamic AMOLED 2X (120Hz, 2,600 nits) | 10.2″ LTPO OLED (120Hz, 1,500 nits) |
| Cover Display | 6.5″ Super AMOLED (120Hz) | 6.4″ LTPO OLED (120Hz) |
| Processor/RAM | Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 / 16GB | Kirin 9010 / 16GB |
| Storage | 512GB (no expansion) | 256GB-1TB (no expansion) |
| Cameras (Rear) | 200MP main + 12MP UW + 10MP 3x tele | 50MP main (var. aperture) + 12MP periscope + 12MP UW |
| Battery/Charging | 5,600mAh / 45W wired, 15W wireless | 5,600mAh / 66W wired, 50W wireless |
| OS/Updates | One UI 8 (Android 16), 7 years | HarmonyOS 5.1, 4-5 years |
| Unique Perks | DeX, Galaxy AI, IP48 | Desktop mode, AI Gallery |
| Availability | KR Dec 12; US Q1 2026 | China Sep 2024; Global Feb 2025 |
vs. Mate XT: Samsung edges in processor (Gen 5 crushes Kirin in benchmarks) and software (Google ecosystem vs. HarmonyOS app gaps). Display brightness and AI (Circle to Search) favor Z TriFold for productivity. Huawei wins on charging (66W vs. 45W), camera versatility (variable aperture for portraits), and thinness (3.6mm vs. 3.9mm). Price? Samsung’s $2,449 undercuts Huawei’s $2,800 base, but no 1TB option hurts. Durability? Samsung’s IP48 > Huawei’s IPX8 (water only). For global users, Z TriFold’s Android + updates make it the “better” buy; Huawei shines in China.
Verdict: Tri-Fold Triumph, But Niche Still
At $2,449, the Galaxy Z TriFold isn’t for everyone—it’s a creator’s dream for 10-inch multitasking, outshining the Mate XT in ecosystem and power. But at double a Z Fold 7’s price, it’s luxury over necessity. If you crave tablet-in-pocket magic, preorder now; casual folders? Wait for discounts. Samsung’s tri-fold era starts strong—Huawei, watch your back. Tri-fold temptress or too pricey? Weigh in below!
