Foldable phones have never exactly been a powerhouse segment of the handset market, despite being flashy pieces of technology – but when Apple enters the fray, public interest is sure to follow.
Now that the iPhone Duo has been revealed, and following strong early sales for the Galaxy Z Fold 8 and Z Fold 8 Ultra, Samsung is looking to fast-track a competing device, according to known leaker Lanzuk.
A successor to the Galaxy Z TriFold has reportedly been under development for months, with detailed patents painting a picture of what we might expect from the new phone – it could be wider and shorter and might include a slot for the S Pen stylus.
But Samsung is now reportedly considering an accelerated release timeline, which could mean the next Galaxy Z TriFold will launch in late 2026 or early 2027. Previous reports indicated that the phone would likely be slated for a late 2027 release.
The first Galaxy Z TriFold had an expensive, limited release in the US. The phone was available starting in January, and despite a commanding starting price of $2,900, it sold out quickly before being discontinued three months later. It felt like a more experimental product in Samsung’s mobile lineup, but a second TriFold might signal a more serious commitment to this design.
According to Lanzuk, Samsung wants to produce the new TriFold handset at a “nearly identical” price, despite rising hardware costs. If people are willing to turn out in droves for the high-end iPhone Duo configurations – some of which cost more than $3,000 – this could prove to be a more competitive market niche than ever before.
A Samsung representative didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment.
It’s worth noting that the iPhone Duo hasn’t officially hit the market yet and won’t do so for another month. All the online buzz in the world isn’t worth anything if the new foldable phone doesn’t sell well, so Samsung may be watching how the market reacts to the Duo before reallocating any development resources.
The Galaxy Z TriFold 2 has reportedly been under development for some time, so a shift in plans may signal renewed urgency and confidence in the market segment.
The iPhone Duo will be released on Oct. 23 with a starting price of $1,999.
Tyler is a writer for CNET covering laptops and video games. He’s previously covered mobile devices, home energy products and broadband. He came to CNET straight out of college, where he graduated from Seton Hall with a bachelor’s degree in journalism. When Tyler’s not asking questions or doing research for his next assignment, you can find him in his home state of New Jersey, kicking back with a bagel and watching an action flick or playing a new video game.
You can reach him at tgraham@cnet.com.
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