Following Huawei's recent advancements, TCL, a leading Chinese home appliance brand, has revealed its dual-folding technology, signaling potential plans for a tri-fold smartphone. This move has sparked industry speculation on whether Samsung Electronics will join the competition in the tri-fold smartphone segment.
As reported by ZDNet Korea, Sina, and Webull, TCL founder and chairman Dong-sheng Li addressed the potential launch of a tri-fold smartphone during his speech at the TCL Global Technology Innovation Conference on December 11. Li confirmed TCL's readiness in tri-fold panel technology but noted that market demand will dictate whether such products are released.
According to 163.com, Li has adopted a cautious stance regarding the prospect of TCL utilizing its display technology to bring a tri-fold smartphone to market.
Li emphasized that despite TCL's strong technological foundation, the release of a tri-fold smartphone remains contingent on market demand and feedback. Currently, the Tandem tri-fold display is in the client acquisition phase.
At the SID 2024 exhibition in San Jose, TCL presented a concept device featuring its tri-fold display. According to Sohu, the successful launch of this technology will hinge on its maturity and market acceptance.
TCL unveils tri-fold display amid rising foldable smartphone rivalry
At the conference, TCL introduced its first 7.85-inch Tandem tri-fold display. This innovative screen supports "G-shaped" and "Z-shaped" folding configurations and incorporates advanced technologies, including Tandem, low-temperature polycrystalline oxide (LTPO), and panel-level packaging (PLP), delivering superior brightness, energy efficiency, and durability.
TCL ventured into the mobile phone market in 1999, well before many of its Chinese peers, but its performance has declined since 2016. The company has since pivoted to mobile display panel production through its subsidiary, TCL CSOT, which also presented a tri-fold display concept at SID 2024. The technology is now in the client acquisition stage.
Chinese brands such as Xiaomi, Oppo, and Honor have intensified competition in the foldable smartphone market with a wave of new launches. Huawei further raised the stakes with its tri-fold Mate XT, fueling innovation and industry anticipation.
Amid these trends, TCL is making strides in tri-fold technology, while Samsung, the market leader, is reportedly planning to launch its tri-fold smartphone in 2025.
Samsung's tri-fold smartphone plans signal shift toward next-gen foldable innovation
As reported by South Korea's ETNews, Samsung's upcoming foldable smartphone will feature a dual inward-folding design with a fully expanded screen size of 9 to 10 inches, approximately 2 inches larger than the Galaxy Fold. This design minimizes impact damage, improving durability and extending the device's lifespan.
During Samsung's third-quarter 2024 earnings call, Daniel Araujo, vice president of the Mobile eXperience (MX) Division, revealed plans to introduce new product formats catering to consumers demanding greater innovation and functionality, according to Maeil Business Newspaper and The Korea Times.
By 2025, the foldable smartphone market is expected to evolve beyond performance and specification enhancements of existing devices, expanding into competition centered on new formats and markets.
TCL explores AI integration and innovation in foldable tech
Li also highlighted AI's potential, predicting that over the next three to five years, it could revolutionize key sectors, disrupt traditional industry ecosystems, and pave the way for new economic models.
Li's remarks not only highlight TCL's commitment to innovation in foldable display technology but also reflect the company's strategic vision and deep investments in the AI sector.
TCL's anticipated tri-fold smartphone is expected to showcase intelligent applications, combining advanced foldable technology with AI-driven features to enhance user experience—a key area of market interest.
With features like intelligent recommendations and voice assistants, TCL aims to deliver a seamless and highly user-friendly experience.
