Dual folds finally got good. So why are manufacturers suddenly obsessed with trifolds? Are they truly the next big leap in mobile innovation—or just another hinge we didn’t ask for? Stick around, because by the end of this read, you might be asking the same question I am: Do we really need a tablet in our pocket twice over?
Foldables Have Come a Long Way
Remember when foldables first appeared? They were clunky, fragile, and felt more like prototypes than phones. Devices like the Microsoft Surface Duo looked promising but didn’t stick around long enough to build trust. Fast-forward five years, and we’ve gone from those early experiments to polished masterpieces like the Samsung Z Fold, Honor Magic V5, Vivo X Fold 5, and the Pixel 10 Pro Fold.
Today’s foldables aren’t fragile novelties—they’re powerhouses. They run faster, last longer, and in many ways outperform their bar-phone cousins. Even Apple is finally jumping in, and when Apple enters a category, that’s a clear sign it’s here to stay.
But here’s the reality check: foldables still only hold about 2% of the smartphone market, while 98% of users stick to traditional bar phones. We just convinced people to trust one hinge—and now the industry wants us to trust two?
From Folds to Trifolds: Are We Ready?
Think about it. It took half a decade to evolve from this—[Surface Duo]—to this—the ultra-thin Honor Magic V5. We finally reached a point where foldables are sleek, durable, and even IP68 water-resistant. That kind of progress built real consumer confidence.
So, why start the trust process over again with a second hinge?
Manufacturers claim the trifold will give you “a tablet in your pocket.” But haven’t we heard that before? Back in the day, the Galaxy Note was literally called a “phablet”—a phone and tablet in one. It had a huge 6.3-inch screen and a stylus, and people said it was too big. Fast-forward, and we’re all carrying 6.7-inch phones. Funny how that worked out.
Now they’re trying to sell us a new version of that same dream—a 10-inch “tablet phone” that folds in three.
Do We Really Need a Tablet That Folds Twice?
Here’s my honest take: we already have a tablet in our pocket.
Ever since foldables like the Z Fold and Magic V5 arrived, my tablet—an old Galaxy Tab S7—has been collecting dust. I only use it occasionally as a side display. Foldables replaced tablets for many of us because they’re compact, powerful, and plenty big when opened.
So what niche are trifolds trying to fill? A 10-inch foldable tablet sounds nice, but picture yourself holding it mid-flight or on a train. It’s not exactly a one-hand device anymore. Sure, it might be slightly lighter than a real tablet—but after 10 minutes, you’ll want to set it down. And if you’re going to set it on a table to use it, why not just buy an actual tablet?
Even battery life doesn’t justify it. Early rumors suggest Samsung’s upcoming Galaxy G-Fold (Trifold) will pack around 5500 mAh, barely more than most dual folds today. My Magic V5, for example, already hits 5820 mAh, and it’ll likely outlast that trifold despite having fewer moving parts.
Bigger Screens, Bigger Problems
Now, let’s talk practicality. The promise of “more multitasking” on a 10-inch screen sounds great—until you realize how awkward it is to type on something that wide. A larger screen doesn’t automatically mean a better experience, especially if it becomes harder to hold, type, or use without a flat surface.
And the design? Let’s just say early trifold prototypes don’t look reassuring. Misaligned edges, visible gaps, and questionable durability—things we thought we’d left behind with first-gen foldables—are creeping back in.
Add to that the price problem. When the Z Fold 7 already costs around $2,000, what’s a trifold going to run? $3,000? $3,500? For that price, you could buy a flagship phone and a top-tier tablet—and still have money left for a smartwatch.
Innovation or Inflation?
Here’s what I suspect: the trifold isn’t about giving us more—it’s about charging us more. As Apple gears up to launch its first foldable, other brands want to look like they’re one step ahead. “Apple’s doing dual folds? Fine, we’ll do trifolds!”
It’s marketing chess, not consumer demand. No one’s been asking for this. We’ve just started trusting one hinge—don’t rush us into two.
Final Thoughts
I’m not anti-trifold. I’m just asking: who actually needs it?
We’ve reached a beautiful balance with current dual folds—devices that deliver tablet-like functionality in your pocket. They’re fast, durable, and refined. Trifolds, on the other hand, feel like a solution in search of a problem.
Maybe they’ll surprise us. Maybe in a few years they’ll be thinner, cheaper, and make sense. But right now? It feels like another “next big thing” that’s more about headlines than user needs.
So, are trifolds truly progress—or just another price hike wrapped in a new hinge?
You tell me.