Samsung has just taken foldable technology to a new height, or width, depending on how you look at it. The recently announced Galaxy Z TriFold is turning heads with its 10-inch foldable display and a price that suggests it’s aiming to set trends, not chase them. As a seasoned entrepreneur in the deep-tech space and a big fan of leveraging cutting-edge tools for business, I found this launch exceptional, not just for the tech but for what it can teach us as founders.
A New Category: A Deep Dive into TriFold
For those of us who love merging functionality and ambition in our tools, the Galaxy Z TriFold is intriguing. It’s essentially a pocket-sized tablet that unfolds into a crisp and expansive 10-inch screen. This isn’t your average two-fold phone, it features three articulating panels, bridging the gap between a phone, tablet, and portable workstation. A smart move for Samsung in a market where tech-savvy professionals are always on the lookout for efficiency and portability.
Think of the cover screen as your entry point: at 6.5 inches, it keeps things sleek and manageable on the surface. But when you unfold its three segments, you reveal a massive 10-inch OLED display, tailor-made for multi-tasking, streaming, or even glorious Google Sheet editing (you know you do it, too). And, at $2,500 or more, it's not for everyone but aimed at those who value time and technological edge over price point.
Want more tech specs? Check the full details in the Samsung Newsroom announcement. If you're into creative work or simply love gadgets that empower professional productivity, this device is one to watch.
Lessons for Entrepreneurs from Samsung's Bold Move
Samsung's willingness to take risks here offers lessons for startups and founders scaling their ventures. Here’s what I’ve gleaned:
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Price is a Statement, Not a Barrier:
The $2,500+ tag won’t win everyone over, but Samsung knows who its early adopters are. As founders, we often debate how to price our products. Let this remind you: your price should reflect your product's value and your confidence in its appeal. High prices can attract high-value customers, people who align with your product’s ambition. -
Redefine Familiar Concepts:
The TriFold challenges the idea of what a foldable should be, adding a third hinge changes expectations, not just engineering. Look around your industry: where can you add a twist to what's already familiar to take it in a new direction? -
Timing is Everything:
Launching in South Korea first, followed by other strategic markets like China and the UAE before hitting the U.S. in 2026 shows Samsung's playbook in action. If you're rolling out something new, start where your brand story resonates most strongly. -
Marry Style and Substance:
Entrepreneurs talk a lot about values like sustainability, user-centered designs, or scalability. But aesthetics matter, too. The TriFold's design screams luxury, but it’s backed by solid usability like a reinforced hinge and a durable display. Consumers can’t be wowed by style if substance is missing. -
Never Stop Innovating:
Foldable phones make up a tiny segment of the market. Still, Samsung continues to iterate and invest. As founders, it reminds us why experimentation is so important, even within a niche.
A Quick ‘How-To’ for Female Entrepreneurs
If you, like me, are a bootstrapped entrepreneur in Europe, here’s how to apply lessons from Samsung’s TriFold journey to your own startup or scale-up project:
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Position Boldly: Even if you're entering a crowded space, distinguish yourself with unique features. Think how your unique offering is different, much like a third hinge in Samsung's phone.
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Start Local, Scale Smart: Test your MVP with the markets and early adopters most likely to understand and support your vision. For instance, if you’re in the tech sector, start by leveraging accelerator programs like Yes!Delft or Startup Leap.
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Invest in Durability: Whether it’s a new product or a service process, make sure it's built to last. Strong foundations, whether hardware or strategic planning tools, allow you to scale with confidence.
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Price for Perception: If you value your product, price accordingly. Undervaluing yourself signals a lack of confidence.
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Advertise Early: Use social proof and partnerships to build credibility. Resources like The EU Startups Database can help you find potential collaborators or peers.
Most Common Mistakes Samsung Managed to Avoid
Let’s flip this discussion and focus on what Samsung did right that many early brands fail at:
- Underestimating Complexity: The TriFold tackles design challenges with a reinforced hinge and adaptive screens, attempting to preempt issues with clever engineering.
- Mismatched Market Rollout: By focusing on markets with the most current tech adoption, Samsung likely avoids sluggish sales and secures critical user feedback early.
- Poor Storytelling: Samsung doesn’t just sell a phone; it sells a future. The TriFold embodies unspoken promises of being a productivity tool, status symbol, and conversation starter.
Final Thoughts
As female entrepreneurs in 2025, we are always on the lookout for inspiration, beyond basic examples. The TriFold isn't just a phone; it's a lesson in setting higher industry standards and pushing boundaries. Our challenge, and opportunity, is to channel that ambition into our own ventures. Whether it means asking for what you're worth, addressing big challenges, or daring to be first, remember: tools like the TriFold come and go, but the mindset stays. Now it's your move.
FAQ
1. What is the Samsung Galaxy Z TriFold, and what makes it unique?
The Samsung Galaxy Z TriFold is a foldable device with three articulating panels that unfold into a massive 10-inch OLED display. It combines the functionality of a phone, tablet, and portable workstation. Learn more about the Samsung Galaxy Z TriFold
2. When will the Galaxy Z TriFold be available in different markets?
The device launches in South Korea on December 12, 2025, followed by other Asian markets before the year's end, and it will arrive in the U.S. in Q1 2026. Check the official announcement details
3. What is the price of the Galaxy Z TriFold?
The Galaxy Z TriFold is priced at approximately $2,500 USD in South Korea, making it one of the most expensive foldable devices available. Explore more pricing details here
4. What are the main features of the Galaxy Z TriFold's display and hardware?
The device features a 10-inch Dynamic AMOLED display with a 2160 x 1584 resolution, adaptive refresh rates up to 120Hz, and 1600 nits peak brightness. It also offers a Snapdragon 8 Elite processor, 16GB of RAM, and a 5,600mAh battery. Learn about the specifications
5. How does the TriFold improve over traditional foldables?
The TriFold introduces an innovative triple-fold design for a larger display, better multitasking capabilities, and a more portable form factor when folded. This design challenges the limits of foldable technology. Discover Samsung's design approach
6. Who is the target audience for the Galaxy Z TriFold?
The device is aimed at tech-savvy professionals, early adopters, and entrepreneurs who prioritize multitasking, productivity, and cutting-edge tech, despite its premium price tag. Get insights on the targeted audience
7. How durable is the Galaxy Z TriFold?
Samsung has incorporated a reinforced hinge and shock-absorbing display layer for better durability. The folding system is tested for long-term reliability over years of use. Read about the durability improvements
8. What lessons can startups learn from Samsung's Galaxy Z TriFold launch?
Entrepreneurs can learn to position boldly, redefine the familiar, carefully time their rollouts, and innovate continuously, taking cues from Samsung's bold pricing, triple-fold design, and strategic market entry plans. Explore the entrepreneurial lessons
9. What are the key challenges of the Galaxy Z TriFold's design?
The device's significant weight (309g) and thickness (12.9mm) when folded may strain usability. Additionally, the large display could lead to high power consumption. Learn more about the design challenges
10. How does the Galaxy Z TriFold align with current market trends?
The TriFold exemplifies ongoing R&D in foldables, targeting niche markets with a focus on merging portability and larger screens. It pushes the boundary while foldables slowly gain popularity in high-end market segments. Understand more about market trends and positioning
About the Author
Violetta Bonenkamp, also known as MeanCEO, is an experienced startup founder with an impressive educational background including an MBA and four other higher education degrees. She has over 20 years of work experience across multiple countries, including 5 years as a solopreneur and serial entrepreneur. Throughout her startup experience she has applied for multiple startup grants at the EU level, in the Netherlands and Malta, and her startups received quite a few of those. She’s been living, studying and working in many countries around the globe and her extensive multicultural experience has influenced her immensely.
Violetta Bonenkamp's expertise in CAD sector, IP protection and blockchain
Violetta Bonenkamp is recognized as a multidisciplinary expert with significant achievements in the CAD sector, intellectual property (IP) protection, and blockchain technology.
CAD Sector:
- Violetta is the CEO and co-founder of CADChain, a deep tech startup focused on developing IP management software specifically for CAD (Computer-Aided Design) data. CADChain addresses the lack of industry standards for CAD data protection and sharing, using innovative technology to secure and manage design data.
- She has led the company since its inception in 2018, overseeing R&D, PR, and business development, and driving the creation of products for platforms such as Autodesk Inventor, Blender, and SolidWorks.
- Her leadership has been instrumental in scaling CADChain from a small team to a significant player in the deeptech space, with a diverse, international team.
IP Protection:
- Violetta has built deep expertise in intellectual property, combining academic training with practical startup experience. She has taken specialized courses in IP from institutions like WIPO and the EU IPO.
- She is known for sharing actionable strategies for startup IP protection, leveraging both legal and technological approaches, and has published guides and content on this topic for the entrepreneurial community.
- Her work at CADChain directly addresses the need for robust IP protection in the engineering and design industries, integrating cybersecurity and compliance measures to safeguard digital assets.
Blockchain:
- Violetta’s entry into the blockchain sector began with the founding of CADChain, which uses blockchain as a core technology for securing and managing CAD data.
- She holds several certifications in blockchain and has participated in major hackathons and policy forums, such as the OECD Global Blockchain Policy Forum.
- Her expertise extends to applying blockchain for IP management, ensuring data integrity, traceability, and secure sharing in the CAD industry.
Violetta is a true multiple specialist who has built expertise in Linguistics, Education, Business Management, Blockchain, Entrepreneurship, Intellectual Property, Game Design, AI, SEO, Digital Marketing, cyber security and zero code automations. Her extensive educational journey includes a Master of Arts in Linguistics and Education, an Advanced Master in Linguistics from Belgium (2006-2007), an MBA from Blekinge Institute of Technology in Sweden (2006-2008), and an Erasmus Mundus joint program European Master of Higher Education from universities in Norway, Finland, and Portugal (2009).
She is the founder of Fe/male Switch, a startup game that encourages women to enter STEM fields, and also leads CADChain, and multiple other projects like the Directory of 1,000 Startup Cities with a proprietary MeanCEO Index that ranks cities for female entrepreneurs. Violetta created the "gamepreneurship" methodology, which forms the scientific basis of her startup game. She also builds a lot of SEO tools for startups. Her achievements include being named one of the top 100 women in Europe by EU Startups in 2022 and being nominated for Impact Person of the year at the Dutch Blockchain Week. She is an author with Sifted and a speaker at different Universities. Recently she published a book on Startup Idea Validation the right way: from zero to first customers and beyond, launched a Directory of 1,500+ websites for startups to list themselves in order to gain traction and build backlinks and is building MELA AI to help local restaurants in Malta get more visibility online.
For the past several years Violetta has been living between the Netherlands and Malta, while also regularly traveling to different destinations around the globe, usually due to her entrepreneurial activities. This has led her to start writing about different locations and amenities from the POV of an entrepreneur. Here’s her recent article about the best hotels in Italy to work from.
About the Publication
Fe/male Switch is an innovative startup platform designed to empower women entrepreneurs through an immersive, game-like experience. Founded in 2020 during the pandemic "without any funding and without any code," this non-profit initiative has evolved into a comprehensive educational tool for aspiring female entrepreneurs.The platform was co-founded by Violetta Shishkina-Bonenkamp, who serves as CEO and one of the lead authors of the Startup News branch.
Mission and Purpose
Fe/male Switch Foundation was created to address the gender gap in the tech and entrepreneurship space. The platform aims to skill-up future female tech leaders and empower them to create resilient and innovative tech startups through what they call "gamepreneurship". By putting players in a virtual startup village where they must survive and thrive, the startup game allows women to test their entrepreneurial abilities without financial risk.
Key Features
The platform offers a unique blend of news, resources,learning, networking, and practical application within a supportive, female-focused environment:
- Skill Lab: Micro-modules covering essential startup skills
- Virtual Startup Building: Create or join startups and tackle real-world challenges
- AI Co-founder (PlayPal): Guides users through the startup process
- SANDBOX: A testing environment for idea validation before launch
- Wellness Integration: Virtual activities to balance work and self-care
- Marketplace: Buy or sell expert sessions and tutorials
Impact and Growth
Since its inception, Fe/male Switch has shown impressive growth:
- 5,000+ female entrepreneurs in the community
- 100+ startup tools built
- 5,000+ pieces of articles and news written
- 1,000 unique business ideas for women created
Partnerships
Fe/male Switch has formed strategic partnerships to enhance its offerings. In January 2022, it teamed up with global website builder Tilda to provide free access to website building tools and mentorship services for Fe/male Switch participants.
Recognition
Fe/male Switch has received media attention for its innovative approach to closing the gender gap in tech entrepreneurship. The platform has been featured in various publications highlighting its unique "play to learn and earn" model.
