Forget the Galaxy Z Fold 7 – a new tri-folding prototype is making waves in the foldable phone market. TECNO, a Chinese brand, has unveiled an impressive device called the PHANTOM Ultimate G Fold, which boasts an incredibly thin profile of just 3.49 mm when unfolded. This innovative design positions it ahead of its competitors, including the Z Fold 7 and Honor’s Magic V5, which measure around 4.1-4.2 mm.
The PHANTOM Ultimate features a significant 9.94-inch display—likely marketed as a 10-inch screen. To enhance protection, TECNO has developed a unique dual-hinge system known as the “waterdrop hinge.” This engineering marvel includes a larger hinge for the top fold, while the portion that wraps around the first fold features a self-locking mechanism to securely hold the three sections in place.
When folded, the device reaches a thickness of just 11.49 mm, bettering the Mate XT’s folded dimensions of 12.8 mm. While TECNO has not disclosed many specifications, it has confirmed that the phone includes a 5000 mAh battery, likely divided into three different cells. This prototype also marks TECNO’s second foray into the tri-fold design, following the PHANTOM Ultimate 2 showcased at MWC earlier this year.
The PHANTOM Ultimate G Fold is expected to make its debut at IFA in September. However, it’s essential to temper expectations regarding mass production, as TECNO’s previous prototype, the Spark Slim, never transitioned into a mainstream model. Stay tuned to see if this cutting-edge design will lead to a commercially available product, particularly in light of Samsung’s ongoing advancements in foldable technology.