Samsung has long been the undisputed king of foldable phones, successfully normalizing the Z Fold and Z Flip lines over the last few years. However, their latest and most ambitious hardware leap the triple folding Galaxy Z TriFold is experiencing significant turbulence just days after hitting the hands of real-world users.

The promise of the Z TriFold was revolutionary: a standard-sized phone that unfurls via two separate hinges into a massive, tablet-sized canvas. It was positioned as the ultimate productivity device for the power user. Unfortunately, that added mechanical complexity seems to be its Achilles’ heel.

Image from Youtube/ JerryRigEverything

Reports have begun circulating online from early adopters detailing worrying reliability issues. The primary point of failure appears to be centered around the device’s two inner hinges. Users are reporting everything from disconcerting noises during folding to accelerated degradation of the screen crease. In the most severe cases, the display panel is failing entirely along one of the hinge lines, rendering the expensive device unusable.

Adding a second hinge doesn’t just double the complexity; it exponentially increases the potential points of failure. While lab testing is rigorous, the chaotic, dusty, and frequent folding of daily life is proving a harder test to pass.

Samsung has responded swiftly to the developing situation. The company has acknowledged the reports and launched a full investigation into the hinge manufacturing process. To appease frustrated customers who paid a super-premium price for the hardware, Samsung is actively offering expedited repairs or full refund options.

This stumble serves as a stark reminder of the risks inherent in bleeding-edge technology. The TriFold form factor is almost certainly the future of mobile computing, but these initial hardware failures suggest that perfecting the mechanics of a dual-hinge device may require a “Gen 2” iteration before it is truly ready for mainstream reliability.