[Interview] ‘I Came to Korea for This’: A Journalist With 1,800 Phones on Galaxy Z TriFold

Yasuhiro Yamane, a Japanese IT journalist who has covered smartphones and telecommunications for more than 20 years, visited Korea last week. Having amassed more than 1,800 mobile phones, he describes himself as a “mobile phone researcher” — a reflection of his deep curiosity and long-standing passion for mobile technology.

Convinced even before its launch that it was a must-have, Yamane traveled to Korea to purchase Samsung’s first multi-folding smartphone, Galaxy Z TriFold.

What led a veteran reviewer who has tested countless smartphones to call Galaxy Z TriFold “an entirely new kind of device”? Samsung Newsroom sat down with Yamane to hear his candid first impressions and hands-on experience.

Based in Hong Kong, Yamane has worked as a freelance journalist specializing in smartphones and telecommunications for more than two decades. Since about 2003, he has contributed to Japanese media outlets, produced industry reports and delivered lectures.

What 1,800 Phones Reveal About Samsung

Q. How did you become an IT journalist and a “mobile phone researcher”? What led you to amass thousands of devices?

After working at a Japanese petrochemical company, I was assigned to Hong Kong as an expatriate, handling trade and sales. During that time, I encountered a wide range of mobile phones from around the world. The ease of swapping SIM cards made it possible to try new devices immediately and daily exposure soon sparked a deeper fascination. Rather than returning to Japan, I stayed in Hong Kong and began researching and covering mobile phones in earnest.

I rarely parted with devices I had previously used, even after buying new ones. When I came across interesting models at secondhand shops, I acquired them for research and documentation. Before long, my collection had grown to more than 1,800 phones.

I still remember the first Samsung product I ever bought — the SGH-E400, a flip phone released in 2003. With its distinctive, rounded design and red and champagne gold color options, the phone felt elegant — a design sensibility that was rare at a time when few rivals offered anything comparable.

Q. Do you have a favorite among your 1,800 phones?

One standout is the Serenata, a premium music phone co-developed by Samsung and Bang & Olufsen in 2007. The sophisticated curved design, smooth sliding mechanism and sound quality — remarkable for a mobile phone — left a lasting impression. The level of craftsmanship was so high that even the alarm sounded pleasant. To this day, I consider it the most beautiful device in mobile phone history.

Q. What are the most important factors when choosing a mobile phone?

These days, even entry-level smartphones offer sufficient performance for everyday use. That’s why I value design just as much as performance, especially for a device I carry with me at all times. Given the nature of my work, experiencing new technologies is also essential.

For these reasons, I have primarily used Samsung smartphones. In recent years, Galaxy Z Fold series has been my main device.

From Purchase to First Impressions

Q. Why did you travel from Hong Kong to Korea to purchase Galaxy Z TriFold?

I believe Samsung’s foldable lineup stands out not only for its display technology but also for its foldable-optimized user interface. Features such as split-screen functionality and multitasking are exceptionally well executed.

When I heard that Samsung, a leader in the foldable market, was introducing a unique multi-folding form factor — Galaxy Z TriFold — I believed it would open up new possibilities unlike anything we had seen before. Eager to try it before anyone else, I traveled to Korea to purchase the device.

Q. What were your first impressions of Galaxy Z TriFold?

From the moment I first held Galaxy Z TriFold, I was struck by the sense that it was “an entirely new kind of device” — one that breaks the boundary between a smartphone and a tablet. In terms of build quality and overall refinement, it felt to be on a completely different level from other smartphones.

Given Galaxy Z TriFold’s screen size — roughly equivalent to three bar-type smartphones combined — I was initially concerned about its weight and thickness. When unfolded, however, the device felt solid yet slim, lightweight and comfortable to hold. I couldn’t help but feel excited imagining the possibilities enabled by its expansive 10-inch (253-millimeter) display when fully unfolded.

Productivity Redefined by a Large Display

Q. How has your experience been using Galaxy Z TriFold? Do you have any tips for making the most of it?

The productivity and multitasking enabled by the 10-inch unfolded display are impressive. Even with two apps open at once, the screen feels spacious and comfortable. It is also well suited to running three apps simultaneously — such as checking email, navigating maps and reading PDF files.

The device delivers a large display experience while still folding down into a portable smartphone. Thanks to a user interface optimized for its dual-fold structure, using Galaxy Z TriFold feels natural and intuitive.

One effective way to use it is to hold the device vertically, with video playing on the top half and social media or messaging apps on the bottom. Even in confined spaces such as a subway, this setup allows you to make efficient use of the large display without disturbing others. Paired with a Bluetooth keyboard, you can write articles while researching at the same time. Samsung DeX further extends the device’s productivity in a work environment.

Q. Who would you recommend Galaxy Z TriFold to?

I would especially recommend it to creators and business users who frequently multitask. For those who typically carry both a tablet and a laptop, Galaxy Z TriFold can handle most tasks on its own.

It is also appealing to users who enjoy a wide range of entertainment. Simply taking Galaxy Z TriFold out of your pocket and unfolding it reveals an immersive 10-inch viewing experience anywhere.

After returning to Japan, I showed the device to about 100 acquaintances — most of whom described it as “a completely new form factor” and expressed anticipation for its launch in Japan. I believe it is a device that allows anyone, anywhere, at any time to experience the true value of a large display.

A Glimpse of What’s Next

Q. As a mobile phone expert, what do you see as the symbolic significance of Galaxy Z TriFold’s launch?

Galaxy Z TriFold once again demonstrates Samsung’s comprehensive technological capabilities across both hardware and software. Through its slim yet durable folding technology, an interface optimized for a large display and a user-centric multitasking experience, the device points to what’s next in mobile innovation.

Q. How would you describe Galaxy Z TriFold in one sentence?

Galaxy Z TriFold is a smartphone that lets users experience future possibilities. By combining a smartphone and a tablet into one form, it offers appeal and potential that go beyond a simple “one plus one equals two” equation.

Q. What do you most look forward to from Samsung going forward?

Samsung has long driven innovation through technologies closely connected to everyday life. With Galaxy Z TriFold, I experienced just how enjoyable and comfortable a large, multi-folding display can be.

I look forward to smartphones and wearable devices that deliver broader functionality and richer display experiences. I plan to continue my work as a “mobile phone researcher,” as experiencing new form factors remains my greatest source of enjoyment. I’m excited to see how Samsung will surprise us next.