Galaxy Z TriFold showed the format’s capabilities, but remains a niche device
By ForGeeks
The Galaxy Z TriFold demonstrates the direction of flexible devices, but its practicality remains limited due to its weight, format, and lack of new use cases.
Devices that offer an unfamiliar form factor and a sense of “future technology” have traditionally captured the interest of audiences, but have not always been widely adopted. The Galaxy Z TriFold is one such product. It combines the functions of a smartphone and a tablet, but its key features don’t address the format’s main limitations.
One problem is that the tablet market remains stagnant. According to IDC, global tablet shipments in the third quarter of 2025 were down 4.4% year-over-year. For many users, tablets appear to be duplicating devices: a smartphone and laptop cover most scenarios, and a separate category of use is not forming.
The Galaxy Z TriFold is closer to a tablet than a smartphone. When folded, the device is compact, but weighs 309 grams – noticeably more than the Galaxy S25 Ultra’s 218 grams. This limits the comfort of one-handed use. When unfolded, the TriFold becomes Samsung’s thinnest device yet, but the dual hinges result in two visual kinks in the screen.
The larger display increases the available space for content, but if the user doesn’t fit the tablet format, the TriFold doesn’t offer a fundamentally different experience.
One of the standout features is support for Samsung’s DeX standalone mode, which lets you use the device as a windowed workstation. With a keyboard and mouse attached, TriFold can perform basic tasks and multitasking. However, the device’s performance isn’t enough to replace a laptop, especially for resource-intensive work.
The Galaxy Z TriFold may appeal to users who need a compact work tool for travel and don’t need to perform heavy tasks. But for the masses, the device remains a showcase for the format, not a full-fledged replacement for a smartphone, tablet, or laptop.
