Samsung Galaxy G Fold: Ambition or Overpriced Experiment?

The foldable phone market has been growing steadily, with Samsung leading the way through its Galaxy Z Fold and Flip lineups. But in 2025, Samsung is attempting something much bolder: the Samsung Galaxy G Fold, its first trifoldable phone. While the concept is undeniably intriguing and promises to blend smartphone, tablet, and laptop functionality into one device, the early leaks raise important questions. Is this an innovation worth celebrating, or is Samsung pushing too far, too fast, with a product that may be impractical and overpriced? This information is also featured on 9to9trends’ YouTube channel, so be sure to check it out.

A New Approach to the Trifoldable Design

Huawei was the first to release a trifoldable phone, but its design had a major flaw—the inner display remained partly exposed when folded, leaving it vulnerable to damage. Samsung clearly studied this weakness and designed its trifold differently. According to leaks found in the One UI 8 code, the Galaxy G Fold uses a unique three-step folding mechanism. The device folds from left to right, with the left panel folding in first, and then the two folded sections collapsing on top of the third panel. This ensures the inner display is fully protected when the device is closed, addressing Huawei’s biggest problem.

On the surface, this sounds like a significant improvement, especially for durability. Foldables have always struggled with long-term reliability, and Samsung’s redesign seems aimed at solving that. However, this protection comes with a notable downside: added thickness. Because the G Fold includes an extra cover display, the overall build is bulkier than any foldable before it. This is where the trade-off becomes questionable. Yes, the screen is safer, but portability—already a concern with foldables—becomes even worse.

The Promise and Problem of a 10-Inch Display

The main selling point of the Galaxy G Fold is its enormous 10-inch inner display, which essentially combines the experience of a smartphone, tablet, and even a laptop in a single device. In theory, this versatility could make it a powerful tool for productivity, gaming, and entertainment. But practicality once again comes into play. A 10-inch device that folds multiple times will inevitably be thick and heavy, which could limit how often people will want to use it in its unfolded form.

Consumers already complain about the size and weight of the Galaxy Z Fold series, and the G Fold pushes that even further. The question becomes whether the extra screen real estate truly compensates for the added bulk. Samsung may be solving durability concerns, but at the cost of creating a device that could be inconvenient for daily use.

Hinge Improvements and Design Choices

One of the most important aspects of any foldable phone is its hinge. Early foldables were plagued with hinge issues, from dust getting inside to mechanisms breaking after months of use. With the Galaxy G Fold, Samsung appears to be making major improvements. Reports suggest the hinge system will be similar to the one expected on the upcoming Galaxy Z Fold 7, featuring a flat-body design for a cleaner and sturdier feel. This would also mean the Samsung Galaxy G Fold inherits the flat-edged look that debuted with the Z Fold 6, giving it a premium and modern aesthetic.

Still, a more durable hinge won’t eliminate the core concern—bulk. A hinge can only do so much to improve usability when the device itself is thick and heavy. Samsung may have refined the engineering, but it remains to be seen if the result will be pleasant to carry and use in real-world scenarios.

Audio and Other Features

The Samsung Galaxy G Fold also borrows heavily from Samsung’s existing foldable lineup. According to sources, it will feature the same dual-speaker setup as the Z Fold 7, using identical speaker drivers. This ensures a solid audio experience, but it hardly counts as innovation. Considering the premium Samsung is expected to charge for this device, many will view reused components as underwhelming.

What is clear is that the Samsung Galaxy G Fold isn’t trying to reinvent every aspect of the foldable phone—it’s focused on the trifoldable design and durability. Everything else, from audio to design cutouts, seems carried over from the Z Fold lineup. While this is understandable from a manufacturing perspective, it does little to justify the extreme cost Samsung is rumored to demand.

Limited Availability Raises Doubts

Another concerning detail is Samsung’s launch strategy. Reports suggest the Galaxy G Fold will initially only be released in South Korea and China. This limited rollout indicates Samsung may be testing the waters before risking a global launch. For many, this raises doubts about the company’s confidence in the product. If the Samsung Galaxy G Fold were truly ready to dominate the market, why hold it back from larger markets like the U.S. and Europe?

Samsung’s strategy makes sense from a risk perspective—it allows them to monitor durability issues and gauge consumer response before scaling production. But it also sends a message that this phone may not be ready for mainstream adoption, at least not yet.

The Pricing Problem

Perhaps the most controversial aspect of the Samsung Galaxy G Fold is its rumored price. Foldables have always been expensive, with the Galaxy Z Fold 4 and Z Fold 5 both priced at $1,899. Early leaks suggested the Samsung Galaxy G Fold could cost around $2,500, which already seemed steep. But more recent reports are far more alarming, placing the price between $3,000 and $3,500.

That figure is nearly double the price of the Z Fold 7 and almost triple the Galaxy S25 Ultra. For perspective, this would make the Samsung Galaxy G Fold one of the most expensive smartphones ever released to the general market. At that price, Samsung isn’t just asking customers to buy a phone—they’re asking them to invest in an experimental device with unproven practicality. While a massive inner display, stronger hinge, and greater durability are appealing, they don’t seem enough to justify such an astronomical price point.

Samsung Galaxy G Fold Release Date and Final Thoughts

As for timing, the Samsung Galaxy G Fold is expected to launch in the third quarter of this year, though Samsung has not confirmed an exact month. Some insiders believe the release may be delayed, with the possibility of only a showcase or teaser happening in 2025. The limited launch in South Korea and China will be the first test of how the market responds to such a high-priced experiment.

The Samsung Galaxy G Fold is ambitious, no doubt about it. It tackles the core weaknesses of foldable phones—durability and screen protection—with a bold trifoldable design. It promises versatility that could replace multiple devices, and its engineering refinements, like the upgraded hinge, demonstrate Samsung’s progress in foldable technology.

But ambition does not erase the problems. The device is thicker than ever, less portable, and priced so high that most consumers will never consider it. With availability limited to just two countries initially, even Samsung seems cautious about how well it will perform. For now, the Samsung Galaxy G Fold looks less like the future of smartphones and more like a luxury experiment reserved for the few willing to spend over $3,000 to test the bleeding edge of technology.

Last update on 2025-09-10 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API