A CNET journalist successfully purchased the highly anticipated Samsung Galaxy Z TriFold on January 30, amid limited availability that prevented review units from being distributed to media. The device, priced at $2,900 before taxes, sold out quickly in other markets and proved challenging to obtain in the US. Initial observations highlight its thickness, display features, and minor durability tests.
On the morning of January 30, a CNET team raced online at 7 a.m. PT to secure Samsung's new Galaxy Z TriFold, a trifold phone that had already sold out in minutes upon launch in other countries last month. Unlike typical product launches, Samsung did not provide review units to journalists due to sparse supply, forcing the purchase through regular channels. The reviewer completed a transaction for $3,164.05, including taxes and a California battery recycling fee, in a process described as a game of chance.
The Galaxy Z TriFold features a 6.5-inch cover display and a 10-inch internal screen designed for multitasking, positioning it as a phone-tablet hybrid. When folded shut, it measures 12.9mm thick—thicker than the Galaxy Z Fold 7's 8.9mm—due to its two hinges and three panels. Unfolded, its panels vary slightly in thickness at 3.9mm, 4mm, and 4.2mm, comparable to the Fold 7's 4.2mm open profile. These dimensions exclude the camera bump and preinstalled protective film.
Early use revealed practical quirks. The device carries an IP48 rating, protecting against solid particles larger than 1mm but not dust. In an accidental test, cookie crumbs from a backpack adhered to its creases but wiped away cleanly, leaving no residue in the charging port. Fingerprints easily mark both the cover and main displays, requiring frequent cleaning.
Unboxing disclosed a charging brick, USB cable, and a snap-on case that shields one hinge, though the reviewer hesitated to add it for fear of extra bulk. Ongoing tests will assess the folded phone's ergonomics and the internal display's utility for daily tasks and work.
