It turns out that another hinge truly matters.
It turns out that another hinge truly matters.
Using the Z TriFold validated my assumptions: It’s essentially a tablet with a phone integrated. After an hour of folding and unfolding it, I feel pretty much prepared to exchange the single-hinge foldable I’ve had for the last few weeks.
During the holidays, I utilized the Google Pixel 10 Pro Fold as my main device and probably unfolded it only a handful of times. My family didn’t even notice it unfolded for the initial 24 hours I was using it on a visit home. In a different scenario, I might have unfolded it more. However, after spending time with the TriFold, I’m beginning to think it might be another hinge I required.
You understand the situation regarding the TriFold: It’s launched in Korea but hasn’t been officially released in the US yet. It has two hinges that fold inward, in contrast to Huawei’s dual-folding device. It will debut in the US during the first quarter of this year. Though the price remains unknown, it’s fair to predict it will be around “extremely costly,” considering that the single-hinged Z Fold 7 is priced at $2,000. Yet, if it fulfills the potential I observed at my pre-CES demonstration, a considerable number of individuals might be willing to invest in it.
The TriFold features a surprisingly bouncy mechanism. When I removed it from a stand where it was partially open, it automatically flipped to an entirely open state in my hands. When folding it back, you should lower the left panel first since the camera bump is located on the opposing side. If you attempt to reverse the order, you’re likely to receive a robust haptic buzz accompanied by a strong warning on the inner screen advising you to fold it correctly.
When closed, the TriFold evokes the early Galaxy Z Fold aesthetics. The cover display appears slightly longer and narrower than a conventional smartphone screen. It fit comfortably in the spacious pocket of my slacks, though it might appear quite odd in the side pocket of yoga pants. I attempted to use the outer display, genuinely, but the instinct to unfold this phone is overwhelming.
Generally, I’m not a tablet person, and I’ve never had much interest in pairing a Bluetooth keyboard with a phone, but the TriFold encourages the use of accessories. I desire to set it up and utilize a cool little keyboard alongside it. Perhaps even a mouse! Had I had access to all that during the holidays, I might not have needed to drag my work computer through three airports while managing a toddler. I likely would have unfolded my folding phone before the conclusion of the first day.
What makes the TriFold feel like it might be the definitive device—the one that could replace all others—is the inclusion of DeX. On the TriFold, DeX serves not just as a desktop interface when paired with an external display; it operates as a fully independent mode, boasting extensive windowing capabilities.
Upon hearing Samsung’s smartphone product lead Blake Gaiser mention that a specific version of Adobe Lightroom exists for the TriFold, everything started to make sense. If there’s an ambiguous area between a tablet, a smartphone, and a computer, that’s precisely where you’ll encounter the TriFold. And most likely, you’ll find me there too, just folding and unfolding it, watching it transform into something new.
Photography by Allison Johnson / The Verge
