Samsung has unveiled its first "triple" foldable smartphone

The novelty will go on sale on 12 December and will cost $2,443 - that's more than twice the price of the new iPhone 17, Techxplore writes.

What this device is

The Galaxy Z TriFold is a super-slim smartphone that unfolds into a tablet with a 10-inch (25.4cm) screen. Samsung emphasises that this form factor gives "enhanced creative and work opportunities", combining a smartphone and a compact work screen in one device.

Key features:

• triple-folding case;

• weight of approximately 309 grams;

• thickness at its thinnest point is less than 0.2 inches;

• the only design option is black colour.

This is not the first triple-folding smartphone on the market: Chinese Huawei introduced its own model last year - also at a very high price.

Betting on premium and AI

The Galaxy Z TriFold has got inbuilt generative artificial intelligence features. According to the company, the AI can:

• assist in real-time through screen or camera sharing;

• improve work and social scenarios on the large fold-out display.

That said, Samsung openly admits that the device is not designed for mass sales.

"This is a special edition product," said Alex Lim, executive vice president of Samsung Electronics.

Competing with Apple and fighting for attention

The smartphone market is stagnating, and manufacturers are looking for ways to stand out - including through unusual form factors and expensive experimental ranges.

The launch of the Galaxy Z TriFold comes amid predictions that Apple could overtake Samsung as theworld's largest smartphone maker for the first time in 14 yearsand maintain its lead until 2029.

According to the research company Counterpoint, Apple's share of the global smartphone market could reach 19.4 per cent by 2025, while Samsung will have about 18.7 per cent.

At the same time, Apple has long been credited with plans to release its own foldable iPhone - rumours suggest it could happen as early as next year.