Samsung Electronics Co. plans to begin selling a so-called trifold smartphone later this year, joining rival Huawei Technologies Co. in exploring a relatively untested market that pushes the boundaries of foldable technology.
Acting mobile and consumer electronics chief TM Roh disclosed the plan Wednesday on the sidelines of the company's Unpacked event in New York, where Samsung unveiled three foldable smartphones as part of a strategy to reinforce its leadership in the category.
“We are working hard to release the trifold by the end of the year,” Roh told reporters. The company hasn't decided on a name for the gadget.
In developing its own trifold, Samsung is gearing up to compete with Chinese rival Huawei, which unveiled the world's first trifold smartphone in September. Huawei's device, called the Mate XT, folds in two places, and when completely unfurled, it offers a large 10-inch display for advanced multitasking and more immersive entertainment consumption.
Samsung's newly announced Galaxy Z Fold 7 phone, which folds in one place, has a smaller 8-inch inner display, though it's far thinner than Huawei's Mate XT when folded shut.
Apple Inc. is expected to enter the foldables category as early as next year, Bloomberg has reported, with an iPhone similar in concept to the Galaxy Z Fold 7 and Google's Pixel 9 Pro Fold. Other folding smartphones like Samsung's new Galaxy Z Flip 7 and Motorola's Razr Ultra fold down vertically to a compact shape with a smaller outer screen intended for brief interactions.
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