It is late November 2025. I am sitting here with a rigid, glass slab of an iPhone 17 Pro in my hand, and honestly? It feels archaic.
Across the table, a colleague is unfolding a Huawei Mate XT like it’s an ancient scroll, turning a phone into a 10-inch tablet in two fluid motions. Meanwhile, my inbox is flooded with supply chain whispers about Samsung’s December surprise and Apple’s “crease-free” holy grail finally entering mass production.
If you are holding onto your upgrade eligibility, you are in a dangerous spot. We are standing at the precipice of the biggest form-factor shift since 2007. Do you buy the tri-fold reality available today? Do you wait for Samsung’s polished answer next month? Or do you hold the line for the mythical iPhone Fold in 2026?
I’ve been tracking these patents and production schedules for over a decade. Here is the no-nonsense reality check on the Foldable iPhone vs Tri-Fold Phones. Release Date & Leaks landscape.
Table of Contents
The Tri-Fold Era: It’s Not Sci-Fi, It’s Here
While Apple takes its time (as always), the Android world has decided that one hinge is boring. Two hinges? Now we’re talking.
Huawei Mate XT Ultimate (The First Mover)
- Status: Available Now (Global rollout imminent)
- The Gimmick: It’s the world’s first mass-produced tri-fold. Fully open, it’s a 10.2-inch behemoth.
- The Reality: I’ve used it. It is impossibly thin (3.6mm when open), but it feels fragile. The screen folds outwards, meaning the soft plastic OLED is constantly exposed to your keys, coins, and the cruel world. It costs nearly $3,000. It is a status symbol, not a daily driver for the clumsy.
Samsung Galaxy Z TriFold (The December Surprise)
- Expected Release: December 2025 (South Korea/Select Markets)
- The Rumor: Samsung isn’t letting Huawei have all the fun. Leaks from Korean supply chains suggest a “Galaxy Z TriFold” (or model ZT) is launching next month.
- The Difference: Unlike Huawei’s Z-shape, rumors suggest Samsung might use a “G-fold” (inward folding) design to protect the main screen.
- Specs: Expect the Snapdragon 8 Elite, a 200MP main sensor (borrowed from the Ultra line), and a price tag that might actually undercut Huawei—rumors point to ~$2,450.
My Take: If Samsung launches a tri-fold that doesn’t scratch when you look at it wrong, they win the holiday season for the ultra-enthusiast.
The iPhone Fold: The 2026 “Ultra” Shift
Let’s address the elephant in the room. Where is Apple?
For years, we heard “2023,” then “2024.” Now, as we close out 2025, the roadmap has finally solidified. Multiple sources—from display analyst Ross Young to supply chain leaks in Taiwan—are converging on a late 2026 launch.
The “iPhone Ultra” Theory
Apple won’t just release an “iPhone Fold.” That sounds like a secondary product. The leaks suggest this will be the iPhone Ultra.
- The Design: It’s a “book-style” fold (think Galaxy Fold, not Flip).
- The Killer Feature: Self-Healing / Heated Display.
- This is the wildest patent I’ve seen. Apple has patented a layer in the screen stack that can heat up to prevent cracking in cold weather and “iron out” the crease while the device is charging. If this makes it to the final unit, Apple solves the #1 complaint of foldables: the ugly trench in the middle of the screen.
- The Cameras: 24MP under-display inner camera. Apple waited until the tech was invisible. No notch, no hole punch on the big screen.
Release Date & Pricing
- Target: September/October 2026 (Alongside iPhone 18).
- Price: Brace yourself. The estimates sit between $2,399 and $2,599.
Why the delay? Apple isn’t trying to be first; they are trying to be durable. They watched Samsung’s early Fold units break. They watched Pixel Folds snap. They are waiting until the hinge can survive a drop onto concrete.
Spec Showdown: The rumored Titans
Here is how the battlefield looks for the next 12 months.
| Feature | Huawei Mate XT | Samsung Galaxy Z TriFold (Rumored) | Apple iPhone Fold (2026 Leak) |
| Form Factor | Tri-Fold (Z-Shape) | Tri-Fold (Inward/G-Shape) | Book-Fold (Single Hinge) |
| Screen Size | 10.2″ (Open) | ~10″ (Open) | ~7.9″ (Open) |
| Processor | Kirin 9010 | Snapdragon 8 Elite | Apple A20 |
| Durability | Low (Exposed Screen) | Medium (Protected Fold) | High (Ceramic Shield Fold) |
| Crease | Visible (Two creases) | Minimal (New Hinge) | Invisible (Heated/Tension Tech) |
| Price | ~$2,800 – $3,000 | ~$2,450 | ~$2,400+ |
| Release | Available Now | Dec 2025 | Sept 2026 |
The “Apple Tri-Fold” Patent
Wait, didn’t I see a rumor about an Apple Tri-Fold?
You did. Apple was granted a patent in late 2024 for a device that folds twice. Do not hold your breath.
I have seen Apple patent pizza boxes and vibrating socks. A patent is not a product.
While Apple is exploring tri-fold prototypes, the supply chain for 2026 is gearing up for a single-hinge device. The Apple Tri-Fold is likely a 2028+ moonshot, contingent on how well the iPad Fold (another rumor for 2027) performs.
Comparison: Which Future Do You Buy?
1. The “I Need the Future NOW” Buyer
Get the Huawei Mate XT.
If you live in a region where you can import it and you treat your electronics like Fabergé eggs, nothing beats the “wow” factor. It is effectively a laptop in your pocket.
2. The Power User / Multitasker
Wait for the Samsung Galaxy Z TriFold (Dec 2025).
Samsung’s OneUI is miles ahead in multitasking software. Running three apps simultaneously on a 10-inch screen with S-Pen support? That is the dream. Plus, local warranty support beats importing a grey-market Huawei.
3. The Patient Perfectionist
Wait for the iPhone Fold (2026).
If you are deep in the ecosystem (iMessage, iCloud), leaving is painful. The iPhone Fold will likely offer the most polished software experience (iOS 27 is rumored to be heavily optimized for split-screen). It won’t be the biggest screen, but it will likely be the one that feels the least like a science experiment.
FAQ: The Burning Questions
Q: Will the iPhone Fold replace the iPad Mini? Almost certainly. With a rumored 7.9-inch unfolded display, the iPhone Fold is virtually the same size as an iPad Mini. Apple will likely position it as the ultimate “all-in-one” device, potentially cannibalizing Mini sales.
Q: Is the Samsung Tri-Fold durable? More so than the competition. Leaks suggest Samsung is using an “inward folding” design, meaning the fragile flexible screens are protected when the device is closed, unlike Huawei’s exposed design.
Q: How much will the foldable iPhone cost? Start saving now. Analysts predict a starting price of $2,399, positioning it well above the Pro Max line as an “Ultra” luxury tier.
Q: Why is Apple taking so long to release a foldable? Creases and durability. Apple’s internal standards for screen longevity are incredibly high. They recently patented a “heated display” mechanism to prevent cracking in cold weather, a problem that has plagued competitors.
Q: Can I buy the Huawei Mate XT in the USA? Officially, no. Due to trade restrictions, it is not sold in the US retail market. You can import it, but you will likely face issues with cellular bands and Google Mobile Services (GMS).
Conclusion: The Fold is Inevitable
For a long time, foldables were a solution in search of a problem. But seeing a Tri-Fold map spread out across a 10-inch canvas in a coffee shop changes your perspective. It’s no longer about “fitting a phone in your pocket”; it’s about “fitting a workstation in your pocket.”
If you are an Apple loyalist, your patience is about to be rewarded in 2026 with what promises to be the most durable foldable ever made. But if you have an itch for innovation that needs scratching right now, the Samsung Galaxy Z TriFold launching next month might be the device that makes you switch sides.
The slab phone is dying. Long live the fold.
Next Step: Are you curious about how the software will handle these new screens? I can do a deep dive into the leaked “iOS 27 Split-View” features vs Samsung’s “Multi-Active Window” if you want to know which OS handles multitasking better.
PS : Got Nintendo Switch, then this post here is just tailored for you –
