Planning to buy the Samsung Galaxy Z Trifold? Be prepared to spend big.

The Samsung Galaxy Z TriFold is gearing up to challenge the top gaming phones with its impressive 10-inch flexible display, launching at the end of the week for a staggering $2,899.

This price tag makes it the priciest smartphone Samsung has ever released, surpassing the previous Galaxy Z Fold 7, which debuted at a hefty $1,999.99 last year. We’re looking at nearly a $1,000 jump, all for an additional screen.

Unveiled in December, the Galaxy Z TriFold breaks away from the conventional ‘book-like’ design that has dominated the foldable market. Instead, it opens more like a Dungeons & Dragons screen, featuring a main display at the back and two side panels that unfold to reveal a second 10-inch screen.

It packs the same Snapdragon 8 Elite processor found in the Galaxy Z Fold 7 but boosts the internal memory to 16GB of RAM, up from the previous 12GB. While it certainly boasts impressive internal specs, the price tag suggests there’s more to it than just raw power.

The primary ‘interior’ display offers a resolution of 2160 x 1584, with an AMOLED panel supporting a 120Hz adaptive refresh rate. The ‘external’ screen, which you’ll likely use most often, measures 6.5 inches with a resolution of 2520 x 1080. When folded, it has a thickness of 12.9mm, tapering to 3.9mm when fully opened.

Powering all this is a 5,600mAh battery, which is smaller than what we’ve seen in many single-screen devices lately. This could be a concern if you’re planning to fully utilize the tablet experience at maximum brightness. While it does outperform the iPhone 17 Pro and the Galaxy Z Fold 7 in battery capacity, competitors like the RedMagic 11 Pro and OnePlus 15R are pushing 7,000mAh or more.

At $2,900, this phone is clearly aimed at early adopters, especially since the still-expensive Z Fold 7 offers better overall value on paper. So, what are the alternatives? It seems that tri-folding screens are simply a premium option these days. The Huawei Mate Xts, while not officially available in the US, can still be found for around $2,500.

The appeal of that expansive display is undeniable. I was sold on the concept after reviewing the Honor Magic V2 a couple of years back. Whether you’re gaming or binge-watching YouTube, that extra screen real estate is definitely worth considering. But is it worth $3,000? For most users, I highly doubt it.

If you’re eyeing the Samsung Galaxy Z TriFold, you probably have some cash to spare. However, if gaming is your primary focus, there are far better options out there. The RedMagic 11 Pro, for instance, features the latest Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, a faster 144Hz display, and a more robust battery—all for just $749. With the $2,000 you save, you could invest in one of the best gaming handhelds or laptops.

The RedMagic 11 Pro is still fresh on the market and remains the brand’s flagship, so it hasn’t seen any discounts yet. Still, it’s a fraction of the cost and offers exceptional value for gamers.

We’re also on the lookout for the best gaming tablets for a more traditional big-screen experience, as well as the best mobile controllers and gaming earbuds for those essential accessories.

1. Best overall: Asus ROG Phone 9 Pro
2. Best value: RedMagic 11 Pro
3. Best budget: Samsung Galaxy A16