Samsung is understood to be developing two new devices that push further into unconventional form factor territory, with the Galaxy Z Slide and a successor to the Galaxy Z TriFold both reportedly in active development. The Galaxy Z Slide, which features a sliding screen mechanism rather than a traditional folding hinge, is tentatively scheduled for commercial release in late 2027 or early 2028, subject to development progress. No further specifications or design details have been disclosed at this stage, and it remains uncertain whether the prototype will ultimately make it to a full commercial launch.
Alongside the Z Slide, Samsung is also working on a follow-up to the Galaxy Z TriFold, its first double-folding smartphone, with the successor expected to arrive around mid-2027. A key focus of the next iteration appears to be addressing one of the original device’s most noticeable physical characteristics — its considerable thickness. The new model is reportedly being designed to be only marginally thicker than the Galaxy Z Fold7 when folded, which measures 8.9 millimetres, representing a meaningful reduction from the original TriFold’s folded thickness of 12.9 millimetres. A slimmer and lighter build would address a common criticism levelled at multi-fold devices, which have historically struggled to match the portability of conventional or single-fold smartphones.
The development of both devices comes in the wake of Samsung discontinuing the original Galaxy Z TriFold in its home market of South Korea after just a three-month commercial run, a notably short shelf life for a flagship-tier product. Despite that early exit from shelves, Samsung appears committed to continuing its exploration of multi-fold and flexible display architectures beyond the established Galaxy Z Fold and Galaxy Z Flip lines. The simultaneous development of a TriFold successor and an entirely new sliding-screen form factor suggests that Samsung views alternative display mechanisms as a long-term strategic direction rather than a passing experiment, even as it continues to refine the execution and commercial viability of these more complex device categories.
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