We might have our first look at the long-rumored Samsung tri-fold

Samsung originally filed a tri-fold patent in 2021

· TechRadar

News By Jamie Richards published 8 November 2024

(Image credit: Future)
  • A newly publicized patent shows Samsung had created a design for a tri-fold device in 2021
  • This adds to recent rumors that the company is exploring new phone form factors
  • There is still no confirmation from Samsung regarding a tri-fold device

The long-rumored Samsung Galaxy tri-fold might not be entirely mythological after all, if a newly-published patent is anything to go by.

The US Patent and Trademark Office has publicized a patent document that details design specifications for a tri-fold device alongside a conventional booklet-style foldable device.

The patent document, originally filed by Samsung in 2021, depicts a tri-fold device with a Z-shaped hinge, similar to the Huawei Mate XT.

The Mate XT became the world’s first tri-fold device when it launched in September, but it remains a China-exclusive device at the time of writing – leaving global markets open for Samsung or another competitor.

As MSPowerUser reports, the Samsung patent details new screen technology such as a strengthened barrier layer to protect the inner display with openings to reduce strain at the hinges. The design also includes an anti-reflective coating made of synthetic resin or another unspecified material.

Other construction materials mentioned include glass and stainless steel.

Image 1 of 4

The tri-fold design detailed in the patent.(Image credit: US Patent and Trademark Office)
The tri-fold hinge concept detailed follows the same design as the Huawei Mate XT(Image credit: US Patent and Trademark Office)
The barrier layer design concept features openings that reduce strain on the display(Image credit: US Patent and Trademark Office)
The tri-fold design concept appeared alongside a conventional booklet-style foldable design concept.(Image credit: US Patent and Trademark Office)

Samsung has long been tipped as the likely leader in the race to release a globally available tri-fold phone, which would sit alongside the company's Galaxy Z Fold 6 and Galaxy Z Flip 6. Indeed, we recently reported on claims from Korea that Samsung is looking into new phone form factors.

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