Samsung has officially announced plans to release both a tri-folding smartphone and an extended reality (XR) headset before the end of 2025, as revealed during the company’s latest quarterly earnings call. These launches mark Samsung’s continued push into innovative form factors and expanding its Galaxy ecosystem with advanced AI features.
The long-anticipated Galaxy Z TriFold, nicknamed for its dual inward-folding hinges, aims to differentiate itself by fully protecting its flexible display when closed—unlike Huawei’s outward-folding Mate XT Ultimate, which leaves part of the screen exposed. Samsung’s approach could result in improved durability and user confidence, giving it a competitive edge in the increasingly crowded foldable smartphone market.
Samsung is targeting an October 2025 release for the TriFold, which would position it as the first widely available tri-fold smartphone from a major global manufacturer. This move contrasts with Apple’s slower timeline, as the tech giant is rumored to debut its first foldable iPhone only by late 2026.
In addition to the smartphone, Samsung confirmed that its forthcoming XR headset will also launch before year-end. This headset is notable for being the first to run Google’s Android XR platform, positioning it as a direct competitor to Apple’s Vision Pro, which operates on Apple’s own visionOS.
During the earnings call, Samsung outlined its strategy for the second half of 2025, highlighting a flagship-first approach focusing on foldables and the Galaxy S25 series. The company also plans to emphasize AI features in the Galaxy A series and reinforce AI integration across tablets and wearables. Expanding the Galaxy ecosystem with novel devices like the TriFold smartphone and XR headset is expected to drive market share growth despite ongoing supply chain challenges and rising component costs.
The recent success of the Galaxy Z Fold 7 — which recently set preorder records in the US — indicates growing consumer demand for advanced foldables. Adding a tri-fold model to the portfolio could further differentiate Samsung’s offerings and help counter increasing competition from brands like Huawei and Honor exploring alternative foldable designs.
Key highlights of Samsung’s upcoming releases include:
- Galaxy Z TriFold smartphone:
- Dual inward-folding hinges fully protecting the main foldable display
- Expected launch in October 2025
- Represents Samsung’s first mainstream tri-fold smartphone
- Samsung XR headset:
- First XR headset running Android XR platform
- Launch expected before the end of 2025
- Competes with Apple Vision Pro
Samsung’s aggressive move to lead in both foldable and XR markets ahead of Apple demonstrates its commitment to innovation and expanding form factor categories. Success will depend on delivering real-world durability, user-friendly software, and competitive pricing. While details on the TriFold’s battery and charging remain scarce, the device’s price may be premium due to its advanced hardware.
As foldables become more mainstream, Samsung’s TriFold smartphone and XR headset have the potential to set new benchmarks in design, functionality, and ecosystem integration when they arrive later this year. The market will be watching closely to see if these new devices can solidify Samsung’s leadership in next-generation mobile experiences.