I got a first look at an upcoming foldable that may solve my biggest problem with tri-folding phones
Tecno is working on a tri-foldable smartphone that uses two inwards-folding displays to keep them protected at all times
This year’s hot new product seems to be tri-folding phones. When using them so far, I’ve found them to be more experimental than practical. My biggest problem has to be that they’re just a bit too fragile. That’s why I’m actually intrigued by Tecno’s upcoming foldable smartphone. It’s technically still a concept, but there’s positive news on the development that makes me think it’s coming later this year.
The Phantom Ultimate G Fold might just be the first tri-fold that doesn’t make me scared to break it immediately after taking it out of the box. In fact, I managed to get an exclusive early look at the smartphone, and can share some photos and details about the handset.
The clever bit here is Tecno’s decision to fold this thing inwards twice. That means it won’t leave the delicate bendy screen exposed, begging for scratches and scuffs every time you so much as glance at it. Instead, this new G-Style design wraps the flexible display up safely, with a cover screen handling the day-to-day stuff. The cover screen is the same size as a normal smartphone display.
Tecno’s G-Style design uses a dual inward-folding system, combining two custom-engineered hinges – a smaller waterdrop hinge and a larger main hinge – to eliminate any visible gap when folded. There’s also a self-locking mechanism that keeps the phone secure while closed.
Tecno also reckons this foldable phone sidesteps the usual brick-in-the-pocket problem by slimming everything down to something closer to the size of a regular foldable. Apparently, the tech giant has been tinkering with thinner flexible displays and miniaturised hinges to pull this off. I was impressed with how thin the Huawei Mate XT is, so I’m expecting big things from Tecno. On paper, the Phantom Ultimate G Fold is even slimmer – measuring just 11.49mm when folded, and 3.49mm when fully open. That’s thinner than any tri-fold I’ve seen before!
Despite its thin profile, Tecno says the phone won’t compromise on power. It packs a flagship chipset, a triple-camera setup, and a battery north of 5000mAh built in. Tecno also reckons that when the device is fully folded open, the screen is flat – as in properly flat. Plus, you can hover the phone at different angles without it snapping shut or flopping around like a cheap deckchair. That’s all thanks to some custom hinge internals. I can imagine propping it up to stream something hands-free on the train.
Of course, all of this remains to be seen if the foldable phone actually arrives – since it’s technically still a concept. Tecno hasn’t confirmed availability, but the device will be showcased in February 2026 at the next Mobile World Congress. I expect it to land in markets across Asia, Africa and beyond, with a price likely in the thousands.
Connor Jewiss
