Before sales began, dozens of people lined up in front of major Samsung stores in Gangnam, Hongdae and other locations, reflecting strong anticipation for the new form factor. (Image provided by Samsung Electronics)
SEOUL, Dec. 12 (Korea Bizwire) — Samsung Electronics’ newest foldable smartphone, the Galaxy Z TriFold, appears poised for a strong debut after the first batch sold out within minutes of its release in South Korea on Friday, signaling robust early demand for the company’s most experimental form factor yet.
According to the information technology industry, all units available on Samsung’s website were gone within five minutes of sales opening, while inventory at 20 flagship retail locations — including Samsung Gangnam and Hongdae — was snapped up almost immediately after stores opened.
Long lines formed outside key locations ahead of launch as early adopters sought to secure the device.
Additional stock is expected to arrive next week, prompting concerns that supplies could remain tight in the near term.
The Galaxy Z TriFold features a dual-fold design that opens into a 10-inch (253 mm) tablet-like display but folds down into a 6.5-inch bar-type screen similar to Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold 7.
The device is 12.9 mm thick when folded and as thin as 3.9 mm when fully opened, making it the slimmest model in Samsung’s foldable lineup. It is priced at 3.59 million won, or roughly $2,430.
The Galaxy Z TriFold is on display at Samsung Gangnam in Seoul’s Gangnam District. (Image courtesy of Yonhap)
Samsung is offering a 50 percent discount on display repairs but will not include the model in its Samsung Care Plus warranty program. The TriFold is sold exclusively as an unlocked device with no carrier-bundled versions.
The company said it optimized its multitasking capabilities, enabling up to three apps to run side-by-side, and adapted core Galaxy apps and AI features for the expanded screen.
For the first time on a Galaxy smartphone, the TriFold supports the tablet version of Samsung DeX, allowing users to connect the device to external displays, keyboards, or mice for desktop-style use.
Following the Korean launch, Samsung plans to roll out the TriFold in China, Taiwan, Singapore, the United Arab Emirates, and the United States, though detailed release schedules have not yet been announced.
Kevin Lee (kevinlee@koreabizwire.com)
