Samsung Prepares Great Innovation For 2026: Three-Screen Folding Phone Era Begins Soon?

Samsung tri-fold is one of the innovations from Samsung (photo: x @digitaltuition_)

JAKARTA - Samsung officially confirmed it will launch a new form factor innovation in 2026, signaling a new chapter in the evolution of folding phones. This statement comes in the company's third-quarter financial report, which immediately sparked speculation that a tri-fold phone device with three folding screens was finally ready to be introduced to the public.

A few days ago, Samsung secretly showed off the triple device at a technology summit in South Korea. Its shape can be seen, even though it is only from behind the glass box without being touched. The invitees may take pictures, but are not allowed to try out its function strong indications that an official announcement will be made next year.

Samsung itself is still very closed about the details of the device, as if maintaining great momentum for its 2026 debut.

In the same report, Samsung emphasized that the innovation of the new form factor will be accompanied by a major expansion in the field of artificial intelligence (AI). The company plans to expand its smartphone AI line, as well as the possibility of presenting new AI devices such as wearable intelligent or even XR glasses that they had teased at the Galaxy XR event a few weeks ago.

With a new foldable design combination and deeper AI integration, Samsung seems to want to redefine the way users interact with their devices instead of just adding screens, but creating a completely new digital experience.

Although from the outside it looks stable, Samsung is actually facing serious pressure. Flagship sales such as the Galaxy S and Z Fold series are not as strong as before, in part because the annual increase is too small to attract interest in upgrades.

Outside the United States market, competitors from China such as Vivo, OPPO, and HONOR are increasingly aggressive, offering features similar to much lower prices. Samsung still dominates the US market, but in Asia, its market share has been eroded.

Samsung sees a new form factor like a tri-fold phone as an opportunity to rise. If successful, this device can create a new category on the current two-screen foldable phone.

However, the price will be a big challenge. Some reports estimate the selling price above $3.000 (approximately IDR 49 million). In comparison, Huawei Mate XT's first trifold phone in the world once sold for more than 5.000 US dollars because the stock was very limited.

Samsung knows very well that without a real breakthrough, they can fall behind in the premium market. This innovation of this new form is not only a product strategy, but also an existence strategy to rebuild the technological attraction that once made the Galaxy series an icon.

If it is released in 2026, Samsung's three-screen foldable phone could be a huge momentum that determines the future direction of global smartphones: whether the industry will switch to superflexible and multifunctional devices, or instead look for more practical simplicity.

One thing is for sure: Samsung doesn't want to just follow the trend. They are trying to create the next trend.