"Feels Like Using Three Smartphones"... Samsung Unveils 3.59 Million Won 'Ultimate Multitasking Device' [Tried and Tested]

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Samsung Electronics' 'Galaxy Z Tripfold' (hereafter referred to as Tripfold) is ideal for users who find the standard bar-type smartphone screen too limiting. When unfolded, the Tripfold's display measures 253mm (10 inches) diagonally, providing an experience similar to using a typical tablet PC. The large screen is particularly convenient for watching videos, playing games, or viewing drawings and images. Notably, the crease at the folding sections is hardly visible, ensuring an immersive experience without distractions.

Launched on December 12, the Tripfold was introduced as a special edition at 20 Samsung stores nationwide and on Samsung.com, without any pre-order period. Its high price of 3,590,400 won clearly indicates that it is not a mainstream product, but rather a culmination of Samsung's foldable technology aimed at early adopters and multitasking users. Nevertheless, in anticipation of the Tripfold's release, dozens of people lined up at stores such as the Gangnam location even before sales began, reflecting strong market expectations.

The most notable feature of the Tripfold is its suitability for multitasking. By long-pressing and dragging app icons from the bottom bar, users can open up to three windows simultaneously. For example, while searching for restaurants in a web browser, you can check their locations using a map application and recommend them to friends on KakaoTalk-all at the same time. This reduces the inconvenience of repeatedly opening and closing apps to switch between tasks. For instance, you can instantly search for a product featured in a YouTube video on a shopping site, or drag a photo from your gallery into the Google Gemini prompt window for analysis. The DeX function, which connects the device to a desktop, can further enhance usability.

Samsung Electronics 'Galaxy Z Tripfold' Yonhap News

The artificial intelligence (AI) features are also robust. By long-pressing the right-side button, you can easily launch Google 'Gemini Live' and interact with AI while sharing your current screen. For example, if you show a photo of mango bingsu and ask, "I want to try this today, where should I go?" the AI will recommend mango bingsu cafes.

Apps used on the main screen remain saved in the bottom bar even when the phone is folded, allowing for immediate relaunch. Apps used on the cover screen can also be continued seamlessly on the main screen when unfolded. The home screen can be organized according to portrait or landscape mode, and with a maximum refresh rate of 120Hz, screen transitions are smooth. When folded twice, the device is about 1.3cm thick, making it highly portable and easy to slip into a pocket. Attention to detail is evident in the design, as a gap is intentionally created when folded once to reduce impact on the display.

One drawback is that, unlike the Galaxy Z Flip, the Tripfold cannot be used in Flex Mode by folding it halfway. The Z Flip allows users to set the device upright with the screen half-folded, using the lower portion as a touchpad or for taking photos in Flex Mode. While it would be convenient to take notes while watching online lectures in Flex Mode on the Tripfold, this feature is not supported. According to Samsung Electronics, the focus for the Tripfold was on the convenience offered by the large display rather than Flex Mode functionality.