Samsung may bring forward the launch of its second-generation tri-fold smartphone following Apple’s introduction of the iPhone Duo, according to a new report.
The reported change could also affect another experimental device in Samsung’s foldable lineup. According to information attributed to leaker Lanzuk and reported by 9to5Google, Samsung is considering an earlier launch for the successor to its Galaxy Z TriFold, while a separate slideable smartphone could also arrive sooner than previously expected.
However, Samsung has not officially confirmed the reported plans. Both devices could still follow their previously rumoured 2027 launch timeline.
Galaxy Z TriFold 2 Could Arrive Earlier
The reported Galaxy Z TriFold 2 would succeed Samsung’s first tri-fold smartphone, which was introduced as a premium and limited-volume device.
According to the report, Samsung is considering moving the launch of the second-generation model forward rather than waiting until its previously expected schedule.
The exact timing remains unclear, and there is currently no official announcement from Samsung confirming an earlier release.
The company could ultimately maintain the original 2027 timeline, meaning the reported acceleration should be treated as speculation for now.
Thinner and Lighter Design Reported
The next-generation tri-fold phone is also expected to receive several hardware improvements.
According to the report, the Galaxy Z TriFold 2 could be thinner, lighter and more durable than the first-generation model.
These changes would address some of the challenges associated with tri-fold smartphones, which require more complex hinge systems and flexible displays than conventional smartphones or simpler foldable designs.
A lighter and thinner construction could make the device easier to carry, while improved durability could help address concerns surrounding the long-term reliability of foldable hardware.
Samsung is also reportedly considering keeping the price of the new model close to that of its predecessor despite the potential design upgrades.
First TriFold Was a Premium Device
Samsung’s first tri-fold smartphone was positioned at the very high end of the market.
The device initially launched in South Korea at around $2,500 before becoming available in the United States in January 2026 for approximately $2,900.
The high price reflected the complexity of producing a smartphone with multiple folding sections and a larger flexible display.
Reports indicated that the first-generation model sold out in the US, although Samsung later removed the device from its online store after only a few months.
There were also reports suggesting that Samsung was losing money on every unit sold, highlighting the manufacturing costs associated with the technology.
Apple’s iPhone Duo Adds Competition
Apple’s introduction of the iPhone Duo has added another major player to the premium foldable smartphone market.
The arrival of Apple’s device could encourage Samsung to reassess the timing of products already in development, particularly as manufacturers compete to introduce new form factors and differentiate their premium smartphones.
Samsung has been investing heavily in foldable technology for several years, and an earlier Galaxy Z TriFold 2 launch could allow the company to respond more quickly to changes in the premium smartphone market.
However, there is no confirmed indication that Apple’s product has directly caused Samsung to change its launch schedule.
The connection between the two developments remains part of the reported speculation surrounding Samsung’s product roadmap.
Slideable Samsung Phone Also Reported
The reported changes are not limited to the next tri-fold model.
Samsung is also said to be working on a slideable device that had previously been expected to launch in 2027.
Unlike a traditional foldable phone, a slideable device can expand its display by extending part of the screen from within the body of the handset.
Such technology could provide users with a larger display without relying on the same folding mechanism used by conventional foldable smartphones.
The report suggests that Samsung could potentially bring this product forward as well, although its exact launch date remains unknown.
Samsung’s Foldable Strategy Continues to Expand
Samsung has already established itself as one of the major manufacturers of foldable smartphones, with its Galaxy Z lineup offering devices that fold in different ways.
The development of tri-fold and slideable smartphones suggests that the company is continuing to explore alternative form factors beyond traditional book-style and clamshell foldables.
A second-generation tri-fold could allow Samsung to refine the technology introduced with its first model, particularly in areas such as weight, thickness and durability.
At the same time, a slideable device would represent a different approach to expanding smartphone screen size.
Launch Timeline Still Unconfirmed
Despite the latest report, Samsung has not confirmed when the Galaxy Z TriFold 2 or the slideable device will be released.
The reported information indicates that the company is considering an earlier launch, but both products could still arrive under their previously rumoured 2027 schedules.
Until Samsung makes an official announcement, details about the launch dates, specifications and pricing should therefore be considered unconfirmed.
For now, the reported developments indicate that Samsung may be exploring ways to accelerate its next generation of experimental smartphone designs as competition in the premium foldable market continues to grow.
Also read: Samsung Unveils Galaxy Z Fold 7 and Z Flip 7 at Unpacked 2025
