Technology

The smartphone wars are entering a new dimension. Samsung is preparing to launch the world’s first tri-fold phone, while Apple is chasing thinness with its next iPhones—even as leaks suggest a foldable iPhone is coming in 2026.It’s a battle of vision: durability and design versus innovation and wow factor. And for once, Samsung isn’t following Apple’s lead—it’s leaping first.

Samsung’s Big Swing

According to reports, Samsung’s tri-fold phone could be unveiled as soon as September 29, 2025, with limited availability starting in November. The design folds twice, creating a device that can expand into a tablet-sized 12.4-inch display before collapsing back into a pocket-friendly form.Production is expected to be limited—around 50,000 units at launch—targeting markets like South Korea and China before a broader rollout. As for price, industry sources suggest a range of $2,500 to $3,500, reflecting the cost of developing a three-hinge mechanism, multiple batteries, and complex software. If confirmed, this would make it Samsung’s most expensive phone to date.

Apple’s Thin Play—and the Fold to Come

On the other side of Silicon Valley, Apple is chasing the opposite frontier: thinner devices. Its upcoming iPhone line, tipped to include an “iPhone 17 Air”, will spotlight sleek design over folding tricks. Apple believes lighter and thinner still matters.But make no mistake—Apple is also working behind the scenes on a foldable. The company has not officially confirmed a foldable iPhone for 2026, but multiple credible reports point to a device codenamed “V68” that could launch in the latter half of 2026, likely as part of the iPhone 18 lineup. Early leaks suggest a large internal display with new crease-reducing screen tech, a unique camera system, and Touch ID instead of Face ID. Pricing could land near $2,000, putting it in line with other premium foldables.Apple’s challenge will be marrying its obsession with polish and durability to a form factor that’s notoriously fragile. And as always, the company seems content to enter the race late—confident that when it does, it will redefine the category.

The Stakes for Smartphones

This showdown underscores a new phase in mobile:

• Samsung bets on radical form—a phone that can be three devices in one.
• Apple bets on refinement first—and enters the foldable race later, on its own terms.
• Consumers face the trade-offs—price, practicality, durability, and bragging rights.

The tri-fold could redefine productivity on the go—or flop as a gimmick. Apple’s thinner iPhones may feel evolutionary, not revolutionary. But with its foldable expected in 2026, Apple is ensuring it won’t be left behind.

Between the Lines

Foldables are no longer “if,” but “when.” Samsung’s tri-fold is a bold play to own the future of the smartphone. Apple’s restraint signals confidence: it doesn’t need to be first, just flawless. The real question is whether consumers want a $2,500 to $3,500 experiment—or if the market will wait until Apple decides it’s ready to bend.