Samsung has established itself as a leader in the foldable smartphone market. The Galaxy Z Fold series introduced an audacious new design that aimed to change the way we interact with our devices. Yet, as the anticipated launch of the Galaxy G Fold—a tri-fold or multi-foldable gadget—draws near, a wave of doubt is developing among both enthusiasts and tech experts. A significant portion of this skepticism arises from the inadequacies of the Galaxy Z Fold itself.
When the original Galaxy Z Fold was released, it represented a feat of engineering. However, each following version has provided only minor enhancements. With a price around $2,000, the Z Fold series still misses several features that are commonplace in other high-end smartphones:
With speculation surrounding the Galaxy G Fold, a new multi-foldable device slated for release in late 2025, excitement and hesitation coexist. The G Fold is expected to sport a tri-fold structure, which could allow the device to unfold into a tablet-sized display. However, early information indicates it may share much of its design and components with the forthcoming Galaxy Z Fold 7, including the same hinge design and audio drivers.
While there are rumors that the Z Fold 7 will finally tackle the crease problem, the G Fold may not reap this benefit. If this is accurate, it would represent a significant error for a product intended to demonstrate the next phase in foldable technology.
Samsung was once a leader in foldable innovation. Yet in recent years, the company seems to have become stagnant. Rather than pushing the envelope, it has fallen into a routine of gradual updates. This strategy may work for conventional smartphones like the Galaxy S25, which have reached peak maturity, but foldables are still a developing category that requires daring innovation.
Other companies are raising the bar. For instance, Huawei’s Mate XT has received accolades for its remarkable design and almost invisible crease. However, due to geopolitical limitations, it’s not a feasible choice in many regions, including the U.S. Nonetheless, it establishes a high standard that Samsung must aspire to meet—or surpass—if it wishes to maintain its dominance in the foldable arena.
For the Galaxy G Fold to truly wow and restore consumer faith, Samsung must break away from its standard strategy. Here’s what the G Fold needs to achieve:
Despite hardware issues, Samsung’s software continues to shine. One UI is arguably the finest foldable software experience available right now. It provides excellent multitasking, app continuity, and a refined user interface. Although the rollout of One UI 7 has faced some challenges, the overall software experience is anticipated to be robust on the G Fold.