Samsung has been experimenting with various form factors based on foldable display technology. At MWC, we got our hands on prototype models such as the triple-folding Flex S and Flex G, as well as the Flex Note tablet-laptop hybrid. But so far, Samsung has only commercialized the Flip and Fold form factors.
According to a recent report, Huawei might pick up where Samsung left off and release a triple-folding phone next year. TrendForce, citing industry insiders, says Huawei is developing a triple-foldable phone, and the company is progressing smoothly, possibly toward a release before March 2024.
On the other hand, analyst @DSCCRoss says Huawei originally planned to release this tri-fold device at the end of 2023, which might mean things are, in fact, not progressing as smoothly as TrendForce sources suggest. If Huawei had to push back on its initial release plans, that's not smooth sailing.
Story continues after our Flex Display hands-on video
Editor's note: I want to try to clear up some confusion regarding the definition of these multi-fold prototype devices. Many refer to dual-folding devices, i.e., phones with two hinges/two folds, as “triple-foldable” or “triple-folding” because their screens have three sides when folded. In actuality, they have two folds (two hinges), not three.
Should Samsung even care about Huawei's tri-fold plans?
Huawei might beat Samsung and be the first to commercialize a triple-folding phone, but the bigger question is whether Samsung should even engage in this race when it can proceed with caution.
Samsung supposedly has other plans in mind for the foldable market in 2024. The company might want to release a mid-range, lower-cost foldable Galaxy device next year rather than expanding on its foldable lineup with ambitious but unproven concepts.
The tech giant has already demonstrated it has the technology to create all sorts of form factors. But now, Samsung appears to be more focused on democratizing foldable phones rather than proving a point.
More importantly, Samsung and Huawei aren't competing anymore, as the Chinese OEM barely has any presence left on the global scene. If Huawei releases a limited-run tri-folding phone exclusively for China, perhaps that won't be an incentive for Samsung to rush into doing the same and risk expanding into an untested market segment globally.
