Samsung Galaxy Z TriFold Wins Best of CES 2026: The Return of the Phablet, Reinvented

Samsung has done it again! 

Foldable phones have felt strangely familiar over the past few years. Since Samsung kickstarted the category in 2019, innovation has largely stayed within two formats: the book-style fold and the flip phone. At Samsung CES 2026, that finally changed. 

The Samsung Galaxy Z TriFold has officially made headlines after winning Best of CES 2026. Samsung's first trifold phone signals a major shift in foldable design, with early interest already building around the Samsung Galaxy Trifold release and the expected Samsung trifold phone release date in UAE and the US. So far, there's no UK or EU release date announced. This isn't just another foldable phone; it's a device that genuinely blurs the line between smartphone and tablet. In fact, it might be the clearest definition yet of what people once called a "phablet."

A True Three-Panel Transformation 

The Samsung Galaxy Z TriFold uses three display panels connected by two inward-folding titanium hinges, allowing it to expand from a standard smartphone into a full 10-inch tablet. When folded, the 6.5-inch outer display behaves like a normal phone, albeit with a bit more weight and thicker bezels than you'd expect from a traditional handset. At 309 grams, it's noticeable; but manageable. 

Unfold it fully, though, and the experience changes dramatically. The 10-inch display instantly feels closer to an Android tablet than any previous Samsung foldable. In fact, it's larger than an iPad Mini, which makes older "book-style" foldables feel almost conservative by comparison. 

This extra space isn't just for show. Samsung's software makes excellent use of the screen, allowing full-size apps to sit side by side across all three panels, or for one app to stretch across the entire display. Multitasking finally feels natural rather than forced, and this is where the TriFold starts to justify its existence. 

Slimmer & Smarter Than You'd Expect! 

Despite the extra hinge and screen real estate, Samsung has managed to keep the design impressively slim. When unfolded, the Samsung TriFold phone is surprisingly thin and comfortable to use on a desk. Folded up, it measures 12.9mm thick only slightly chunkier than earlier Galaxy Fold models, but with far more screen on offer. 

There's also a reassuring level of polish here. The phone actively warns you if you try to fold it the wrong way, vibrating and displaying an on-screen alert. It's a small touch, but one that reinforces how much engineering has gone into making this complex device usable day to day. 

Under the hood, the TriFold doesn't compromise. It's powered by Qualcomm's Snapdragon 8 Elite, features a 200MP main camera, ceramic glass protection, and an IP48 rating for dust and water resistance. In many ways, it's closer to a Galaxy S Ultra than a typical foldable. 

Our Opinion: A Brilliant Phablet but for a Very Specific Audience 

From what we've seen so far at Samsung CES 2026, one thing is clear: the Samsung Galaxy Z TriFold isn't a phone you'd only unfold now and then.  It's a tablet experience first, with a phone attached. That alone makes it feel fundamentally different from single-hinge foldables, which many users admit they rarely open fully. 

The TriFold makes unfolding feel worthwhile. The extra screen space genuinely changes how you work, browse, and multitask. If you're the kind of user who wants three apps open at once, edits documents on the go, or treats your phone as a productivity hub, this device finally delivers on the promise foldables have been making for years. 

That said, it's important to be realistic. The Samsung Galaxy Z TriFold is expected to cost around £2,000-£2,500 (if it eventually reaches the UK Market), which puts it firmly in the ultra-premium category. For most people, it would be cheaper and often more sensible to buy a high-end smartphone and a separate tablet instead. With many people watching their spending, the TriFold may feel more like a luxury device than an everyday essential. 

But as an engineering achievement? It's remarkable. This is the first foldable that truly earns the title of phablet, and while it will remain niche, it shows exactly where high-end mobile devices are heading next. 

Explore Samsung Smartphones at box.co.uk 

While the Samsung Galaxy Z TriFold represents Samsung's most ambitious foldable yet, box.co.uk stocks a wide range of Samsung smartphones today, including the Galaxy S series (S24) and popular Galaxy Z Fold and Z Flip models. Whether you're ready to embrace cutting-edge foldable tech or prefer a more traditional flagship experience, you'll find trusted Samsung devices available now at box.co.uk.