Hey, Samsung! Huawei’s crazy “trifold” is real innovation – but is it a good idea?
The world of smartphones is constantly evolving, and despite the ongoing political technology war between the US and China, Huawei (unlike Samsung and Apple) seems unwilling to keep pushing the boundaries of what a smartphone can do.
In fact, Huawei’s latest ambition is nothing short of groundbreaking, as the next mountain to climb is a foldable phone This can be folded three times!
At first glance, the idea seems simple: take the existing foldable phone concept and make it as wide as a “normal tablet”… and then fold it three times so it looks like a “normal phone.” This is certainly easier said than done.
Whatever the case, Huawei seems to be working on just that, with rumors suggesting the device could launch as early as the fourth quarter of this year – a bold goal that could soon change our minds about foldable phones.
Huawei CEO spotted using groundbreaking ‘trifold’ prototype on a train, but are we really ready to jump on this bandwagon?
Huawei is preparing to launch the most unique smartphone in years. It folds… into three parts.
So why does Huawei pursue such a design? The main reason seems to be to provide a better screen for multitasking and media consumption. Imagine being able to run three full-size apps side by side without compromising on screen real estate or orientation.
For anyone who multitasks on their phone at once, this could be a game-changer. Whether you’re taking notes while watching a video or keeping an eye on your email while browsing the web, a tri-fold design could provide a more seamless multitasking experience.
But perhaps the biggest benefit of this design would be its potential for watching videos and movies. A larger, wider display would make for a more immersive viewing experience, bringing your favorite movies and shows to life in ways that simply aren’t possible on current devices. foldable phonesThe prospect of a device that functions like a full-fledged tablet when unfolded and still fits in your pocket is undeniably tempting.
A more recent snapshot of Huawei’s CEO with what appears to be a surprisingly thin tri-fold phone.
There are other potential benefits to this design, one of the most interesting being the possibility of longer battery life. The image is upscaled and obviously of poor quality.
Additionally, as mentioned, the device would be great for watching movies. The wider screen would be ideal for displaying content in its intended aspect ratio, eliminating black bars or awkward cropping. And of course, the ability to multitask with three “normal-sized” apps side by side is a definite advantage for power users who use their phone for work, play, and everything in between.
Huawei’s “Trifold” could be the first phone to turn into a “real tablet.” But real tablets have real disadvantages compared to phones
Weight and thickness have been the biggest challenges with foldable phones since day one, and this is even more true for a foldable device that folds into three parts.
But despite all the exciting possibilities that the trifold could open up, I wonder if the advantages outweigh the disadvantages that this form factor might bring.
For one thing, it’s hard to imagine Huawei could make a foldable phone that folds into three parts while remaining as thin and light as the foldable phones we have today.
The current trend for foldable smartphones like the Galaxy Z Fold 6 is towards “slimmer and lighter.” On the other hand, introducing a tri-fold design would almost certainly result in a significantly thicker and heavier device, which could be a deal-breaker for many users.
For comparison: Galaxy Z Fold 6 already weighs around 240 grams and a larger screen area and a third battery would undoubtedly make the device heavier.
A thicker, heavier folding phone is (obviously) harder to carry, less comfortable to hold, and may limit the number of cases and accessories you can use.
Can you get good battery life from a “tri-fold” phone with a 10-inch high refresh rate display and super-thin batteries?
Another important point is the battery life. While the idea of three separate battery cells sounds promising, it is important to remember that these batteries will most likely be very thin.
And since the phone would be “mostly screen” (probably 10 inches), Huawei might struggle to balance endurance when using the entire display.
This may mean that even if you have multiple batteries, the device still needs to be charged frequently – especially if you use it for demanding tasks like video streaming or running multiple apps at once.
Of course, it is possible that Huawei will use high-density batteries (which are still new but are currently becoming very popular) to compensate for the lack of space.
Can Huawei produce a durable foldable “trifold” right away?
And of course, there’s also the issue of sheer durability… With a traditional flip phone, the screen is protected when the device is closed. But with Huawei’s tri-fold design, the back of the phone would essentially be the display.
This makes the device more vulnerable to scratches, cracks, and other damage. And since the screen is such an important part of the device’s functionality, any damage can be more than just an inconvenience.
Rumored to start at $4,000, Huawei’s “Trifold” won’t be an instant success, but it will show Samsung and Apple what real innovation looks like.
Let’s hope the rumored starting price of $4,000 is a joke.
Rumor has it that the starting price will be around $4,000, making Huawei’s “Trifold” unaffordable for the vast majority of people – in China or elsewhere.
Should there eventually be phones that fold into three parts? Absolutely! The idea is innovative and represents the kind of forward-thinking that has always driven the smartphone industry. However, I’m not entirely convinced by the idea yet.
While the design offers clear advantages, there are also significant challenges that must be overcome before a tri-fold phone can become a practical option for everyday use.
Huawei’s ambition is admirable, but only time will tell if they can overcome the hurdles and deliver a device that truly changes everything. Until then, I will be watching developments closely, but with a healthy dose of skepticism. I must, however, commend Huawei for their willingness to innovate!
While Samsung has been using virtually the same Galaxy Z Fold design for four years, Huawei has had an outward-folding phone, an inward-folding phone, and is now about to launch the first phone that folds three-fold. This is what real innovation looks like!
