Reports indicate that Samsung plans to stop offering the Galaxy Z TriFold in South Korea starting March 17, just three months following its initial release, as covered by the local publication Dong-A Ilbo. The company has yet to verify this information, though Engadget has contacted them for clarification. Over in the United States, the handset, which debuted there in January, continues to be sold until current stocks are depleted. Securing one from stores, should any remain, costs close to $3,000.
It appears Samsung did not design this variant for widespread manufacturing. The company distributed it in limited quantities via its online platform, where supplies vanished almost instantly each time. Estimates suggest around 3,000 devices were distributed in the initial pair of releases, and no samples were provided to journalists for evaluation.
According to insiders speaking to Dong-A Ilbo, the TriFold served primarily as a demonstration of innovative features instead of a means to boost earnings. Escalating expenses for parts such as DRAM and NAND flash memory have eroded any potential profitability. Within South Korea, resellers on the used market temporarily listed the gadget for almost triple its suggested price.
During Engadget's brief interaction with the TriFold, it presented a sturdy build, even though it wasn't crafted for full-scale assembly. Back in 2019, the inaugural Galaxy Fold faced postponement after several prototypes distributed to reviewers malfunctioned shortly after arrival.