There would be three panels joined together by a folding display.
For years, foldable screens remained a trade-show demo, too fragile for everyday use. But advancements in engineering allowed Samsung to commercialize the technology, and now there are rumors of a new Galaxy phone with a next-gen folding tech coming by the end of 2023.
Current Samsung foldables have one point of articulation, either a horizontal crease for the Flip or a vertical hinge for Fold models. However, the company has demonstrated screens with an additional point of articulation, splitting the display into three panels. According to Yogesh Brar, Samsung may be fast-tracking a new foldable model with this kind of screen to market.
While Brar doesn’t offer a definite timeframe, he believes Samsung is prioritizing its next folding phones, possibly at the expense of other development. He also dismisses the idea of Samsung working on a Galaxy S23 FE.
There is no Galaxy S23 FE in the development chain unlike what the recent rumours have been pointing..
Samsung is instead working on the improved Z Fold 5 & Flip 5 along with a Tri-Fold that might finally ship this year
FE fans should look elsewhere…
— Yogesh Brar (@heyitsyogesh) March 24, 2023
If this rumor turns out to be true, it could be a double-edged sword. While it’s exciting to see companies push the boundaries of foldable technology, it shouldn’t come at the expense of affordable smartphones like the Galaxy S23 FE. It’s possible that these two projects are unrelated, and Samsung could still release an S23 FE in the future.
There are also concerns about the practicality of a trifold design, particularly when it comes to the thickness of the device. However, it’s important to note that this is all speculation at this point, and we shouldn’t jump to conclusions.