By: Tech DeskNew Delhi | January 3, 2026 12:48 PM IST 3 min readThe TriFold measures 12.9mm thick when folded, making it 4.7mm thicker than the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra and slightly thicker than the Z Fold 7 at 8.9mm, but closer in size to the Z Fold 6 at 12.1mm. (Image: Samsung )Samsung’s most ambitious foldable smartphone may be pushing the limits of design and profitability. According to a recent report, the company is reportedly losing money on every Galaxy Z TriFold handset it sells, offering a possible explanation for the device’s limited market rollout.The tri-folding phone, which recently debuted in South Korea, is being positioned more as a showcase of engineering than a commercial volume product. A report from South Korean outlet The Bell, cited by 9to5Google, suggests that Samsung is knowingly pricing the Galaxy Z TriFold below its production cost, effectively absorbing losses on each unit rather than aiming for immediate profit.In its home market, the Galaxy Z TriFold carries a retail price of 3.59 million South Korean Won, roughly $2,500, making it the most expensive smartphone Samsung currently offers. Despite that premium pricing, the report claims the complex hardware and component costs mean Samsung is still operating at a loss on the device, raising questions about how future versions could be priced more sustainably.Also Read | Samsung may launch a wider foldable ahead of Apple’s iPhone FoldSamsung executives have hinted that the strategy is intentional. Speaking at a launch event for the Z TriFold, Samsung Electronics Korea vice president Lim Sung-taek described the device as a special-edition product designed for early adopters rather than mass-market sales.According to a translated account of his remarks published by The Bell, Lim acknowledged cost pressures particularly around memory components and said the company made difficult pricing decisions to ensure the product could reach consumers.These pressures arise during a worldwide shortage of memory components, primarily fueled by the increasing demand from Artificial Intelligence applications. Additionally, the issue was exacerbated by a limited key RAM supply; the expenses for advanced hardware in devices like the Z TriFold have increased significantly, resulting in Samsung tightening its profit margins even at ultra-premium prices.Also Read | Samsung’s Z TriFold to launch in South Korea on Dec 12 with large display, flagship specsIt may seem very unusual to sell a flagship device at a loss, but it is not the first in the technology sector. Premium items, such as initial versions of gaming consoles, have frequently been launched at a monetary loss, with producers assuming that improvements in production and revenue from the ecosystem will ultimately balance out the initial deficit. In Samsung’s situation, the strategy is notable considering the Z TriFold’s already exorbitant price.Story continues below this adIf the reports are correct, the situation highlights the high expense of advanced foldable technology and the significant disparity between consumer pricing and the actual cost.Customers outside South Korea will have more time to observe how the experiment plays out. The Galaxy Z TriFold is expected to arrive in the United States in early 2026, and while pricing has not been announced, it is unlikely to be any easier on the wallet. © IE Online Media Services Pvt LtdTags:Samsung