There’s no question about Samsung entertaining the idea of selling a tri-fold Galaxy phone. Whether or not it will happen this year remains to be determined. Nevertheless, Samsung teased the form factor at Unpacked in January through a slide that showed a handful of ambitious upcoming devices, such as XR headsets and AR glasses.
Although we are convinced Samsung is experimenting with the tri-fold phone idea, the final product is still undetermined. However, a new rumor claims to reveal what kind of battery Samsung’s tri-fold Galaxy phone prototype is using. And it’s a different technology that Samsung has never commercialized.
This recent rumor (via @PandaFlashPro) claims that the Samsung tri-fold prototype is powered by a silicon-carbon battery. The same technology was rumored to power the upcoming Galaxy S26 series in 2026.
New battery tech with a fairly small capacity
Silicon-carbon batteries are an evolution of Li-Ion batteries. They’re not entirely different but use a silicon anode instead of a graphite one.
In theory, silicon-carbon batteries have a higher energy density, meaning they can hold more energy than similarly sized conventional Li-Ion batteries.
However, Samsung might use the advantages of silicon-carbon technology to decrease the size of the tri-fold’s battery rather than increasing the phone’s autonomy. The source behind the rumor says that the tri-fold prototype’s silicon-carbon unit has a capacity of less than 5,000mAh.
Check out the latest Galaxy Z Fold 6 offers
Building a tri-fold phone must be a challenge in more than one way. Durability is probably a concern, but so is the phone’s design and thickness.
Samsung is now focusing on making thinner devices, and the upcoming Galaxy S25 Edge is proof of that. Its Z-series foldable phones have also become thinner. A silicon-carbon battery might be necessary to maintain a slim profile for the tri-fold device.
Whether or not this technology will be used for the final product is unknown. Keep in mind that the rumor refers to a tri-fold prototype, and Samsung’s plans for the device are subject to change.
