Samsung’s tri-fold phone experiment may not be a one-and-done project after all. A new patent-based leak has suggested that Samsung is exploring a follow-up to its Galaxy Z TriFold phone, and the most interesting part is not just the folding screen. The leak points to a design with an S Pen pocket built into one of the hinges, potentially solving a long-running foldable problem.
What’s new in the next tri-fold?
In the leaked render shared in the tweet, the foldable display splits by two hingle lines, just like its predecessor. But what sets it apart is an S Pen-like stylus stored vertically along the hinge area. The source describes it as a “patent-based” Galaxy Z TriFold 2 concept, so this should not be treated as a confirmed product design or launch-ready render.
Still, Samsung’s larger foldables are natural fits for stylus input, especially when unfolded into tablet-like screens. The problem has always been storage. The Galaxy Z Fold line never had a built-in S Pen slot, and Samsung has often relied on cases or external carrying solutions instead. So a tri-fold device gives Samsung more structural complexity, but also more places to hide hardware. Turning part of the hinge into a stylus pocket would be clever if the company could make it work without compromising durability, thickness, or folding mechanics.
A sign Samsung still cares about trifolds
This also lines up with what Samsung appears to be rethinking for its next tri-fold. The first Galaxy Z TriFold proved the concept could exist as a real product, but it also left obvious room for improvement. The lack of S Pen support was one of the bigger missed opportunities. A hinge-based S Pen slot would be a clever way to address that without simply copying the Galaxy S Ultra formula. It would also make more sense on a tri-fold than a regular book-style foldable, since Samsung is already dealing with extra hinge hardware and a more complex internal layout.