Samsung Electronics launched its new triple-fold “Galaxy Z Tri Fold” phone in South Korea today, Friday, leading to long lines forming in front of the company’s retail stores across the country, a scene reflecting the significant interest in this innovative model.
Twenty major stores saw dozens of consumers lining up to purchase the new phone, which is reportedly the thinnest foldable phone Samsung has launched to date.
The new phone is 12.9 millimeters thick when folded and 3.9 millimeters thick when fully opened. It comes equipped with a 6.55-inch cover screen, similar to its predecessor, the “Galaxy Z Fold 7,” allowing users to adapt the device to various use cases.
Samsung announced a 50% discount on screen repairs for the device, while the phone will not be included in the “Samsung Care Plus” warranty program. The company confirmed that the phone will also be available in China, Taiwan, Singapore, and the United States, without providing a detailed timeline for its launch in these markets.
Xiaomi Develops AI-Powered Smart Assistant to Compete with ChatGPT
It has been announced that the Chinese company Xiaomi is developing an AI-powered smart assistant, named “Mi Chat,” intended to be a strong competitor to ChatGPT.
The new assistant is based on the large language model “MiMo-7B-RL,” which Xiaomi previously launched earlier this year. It has demonstrated performance superior to OpenAI’s “o1-mini” model and Alibaba’s “Qwen QwQ-32B-Preview” model, despite having fewer parameters (only 7 billion).
“Mi Chat” is scheduled to be available across various Xiaomi devices and services, reflecting the company’s growing capabilities in the field of artificial intelligence, with its engineers focusing on the deep integration of neural networks with the physical world.
The assistant is expected to be officially announced during the Xiaomi 2025 Human Car Home Ecosystem Partner Conference, scheduled to be held in Beijing on December 17 of this year.
Technical reports indicate that Chinese smartphone companies, including Xiaomi, have recently begun intensively promoting AI features as part of their competition with Apple, aiming to strengthen their presence in the global market.
South Korea
South Korea is a country in East Asia that emerged from the division of the Korean Peninsula after World War II, officially founding the Republic of Korea in 1948. It transformed from a war-torn nation after the Korean War into a major global economy and technological powerhouse, known for its vibrant pop culture (K-pop), historic sites like Gyeongbokgung Palace, and dynamic cities such as Seoul.
China
China is one of the world’s oldest continuous civilizations, with a recorded history spanning over four millennia. It is home to numerous UNESCO World Heritage sites, such as the Great Wall and the Forbidden City, which reflect its long imperial dynasties and profound cultural achievements.
Taiwan
Taiwan is an island in East Asia with a complex history shaped by indigenous cultures, periods of Dutch and Spanish colonial rule, settlement by Han Chinese, and Japanese administration from 1895 to 1945. Following World War II, governance was transferred to the Republic of China, leading to the political status that remains a subject of international dispute today. It is known for its vibrant democracy, technological industry, and rich cultural heritage blending Chinese, Japanese, and indigenous influences.
Singapore
Singapore is a modern city-state in Southeast Asia, founded as a British trading post in 1819 by Sir Stamford Raffles. It gained independence in 1965 and rapidly transformed from a port city into a global financial hub, known for its diverse multicultural society and blend of traditional ethnic neighborhoods with futuristic architecture.
United States
The United States is a federal republic founded in 1776 after declaring independence from Great Britain, with its modern government established by the Constitution in 1789. Its history is marked by westward expansion, industrialization, and its emergence as a global superpower in the 20th century. The nation is defined by its diverse cultural heritage, shaped by immigration and its foundational ideals of democracy and individual liberty.
Beijing
Beijing is the capital of China, with a history spanning over 3,000 years. It served as the imperial capital for several dynasties, most notably the Ming and Qing, and is home to UNESCO World Heritage Sites like the Forbidden City and the Great Wall. Today, it is a major global metropolis and the political, cultural, and educational center of the country.
