Samsung Evaluating The Future Of Slim And Tri-Fold Devices Following S26 Launch

Following the recent Galaxy Unpacked event for the S26 series, Samsung Electronics has signaled a strategic pause regarding its more experimental form factors. Reports indicate that the company is currently undecided on whether to develop successors for the Galaxy S25 Edge (an ultra-slim model) and the Galaxy Z TriFold.

Sales Performance and Technical Challenges

In a recent interview with Bloomberg, Won-Joon Choi, Executive Vice President at Samsung MX, revealed that sales for the Galaxy S25 Edge did not meet internal expectations. The device was launched as a showcase for Samsung’s ability to produce an ultra-thin smartphone, but it faced criticism regarding battery life.

The pursuit of a slim profile limited the internal space available for traditional battery cells, leading to shorter-than-desired autonomy. Samsung is reportedly exploring silicon-carbon battery technology as a potential solution to this energy density problem. If integrated successfully in the future, this technology could revive the slim-line series by providing necessary endurance without increasing the device’s thickness.

The Tri-Fold Dilemma

The Galaxy Z TriFold faces a different set of obstacles. While a technical milestone, Samsung executives acknowledge that it remains a “niche” product. The primary barrier to its success is an extremely high price point, which has made the device inaccessible even in high-income developed markets.

Internal debates are ongoing about whether the demand for a triple-folding screen justifies the continued investment and high production costs. Choi noted that while the company is “evaluating the future” of these lines, no definitive timeline for successors has been established.

For the immediate future, Samsung appears focused on its core flagship and standard foldable lines, prioritizing market requirements and practical hardware improvements over experimental designs that have yet to achieve mainstream commercial viability.

Filed in General. Read more about Galaxy S25 Edge and Samsung.