Samsung may have inadvertently offered a sneak peek at its much-anticipated “multifold” device through animations discovered in a recent One UI 8 build update. Android Authority spotted these animations, which appear to reveal the design of Samsung’s prospective trifold flagship, including its dual-hinge mechanism, display layout, camera setup, and NFC location.
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While speculated to be called the “Galaxy G Fold,” Android Authority notes that the device is labelled as “Multifold 7” within the One UI 8 animation files. Samsung initially teased a new foldable at its Unpacked event in January, showing a basic illustration of a triple-screen phone that aligns with the design seen in these newly leaked animations.
The leaked design depicts a three-panel device with a prominent triple-camera setup on the rear, situated on the right-hand panel when fully unfolded. Animations suggest the NFC chip will also be housed in this panel. The central panel seems to function as the cover display, featuring a front-facing camera that’s accessible when the device is folded shut. When fully unfolded, this front-facing camera remains on the right side, on the same panel as the rear triple-camera array.
One particularly revealing animation illustrates the device’s likely folding method, showcasing two differently sized hinges. The left-hand display folds inward, suggesting the right-hand display is designed to fold over the top, creating a “sandwich” effect. Another animation provides a crucial warning: users should not fold the right-hand panel first. Doing so would prevent the display from folding flat due to the camera module and could potentially damage the left-hand display.
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This mechanism differs from the Z-shaped folding used by the Huawei Mate XT Ultimate Design, which launched last September as the first commercially available trifold phone. The Mate XT’s design allows for one, two, or all three display panels to be used at once, offering more versatility. However, it leaves part of the panel exposed at all times, making it more vulnerable compared to Samsung’s apparent inward-folding design.
It’s important to remember that this may not be the final design for Samsung’s upcoming foldable, and very limited information is currently available about the product. As such, these leaks should be taken with a grain of salt. We might receive official details next week at Samsung’s next Unpacked event on July 9th, where the company is also expected to unveil the latest generations of its Z Fold and Z Flip devices.
