I recently bought Samsung’s Galaxy Z TriFold from eBay for $4,399. It feels like Samsung doesn’t really want people to have this phone. Honestly, I’m hesitant to even turn it on.
When I try to set it up, I’m hit with a message asking for a “USIM.” Without one, I can’t move forward. I don’t trust this phone enough to put a SIM card in it. So we’re stuck.
The Z TriFold was supposed to be available in the US since January 30, retailing for $2,899, but getting one has been incredibly tough. Typically, we’d borrow a review unit from the manufacturer, but Samsung didn’t send any to the press. I had to buy my own, only to find it sold out in minutes when it briefly restocked. It seems like they’re selling only a few at a time, which raises some eyebrows.
After weeks of back and forth with Samsung’s PR team, I turned to eBay. We ended up selecting a seller called Moderntek, who had a good reputation. However, they were selling the TriFold for $4,399, which felt sketchy. Surprisingly, the phone is hard to find elsewhere too; even Samsung’s websites in other countries list it as out of stock.
We waited for our order to ship. When it finally did, the package arrived with minimal fanfare. Inside was a retail box, but with seals I hadn’t seen on devices before, warning not to accept a broken seal. When I opened it, I found the TriFold—it looked used. Dust and crumbs were on the screen. Not exactly the fresh-out-of-the-box experience I expected.
Upon powering it on, the phone was already set up, with a strange app asking for extensive permissions. I immediately factory reset it, but now it still insists I need a SIM card to finish the setup. I’ve set up many Android phones without one, so this feels off.
Currently, I’m stuck with a pricey device that might be compromised. Other buyers have reported issues too. Browsing social media and forums, many question the genuineness of the TriFold’s availability. Some users suggest Samsung might want to create a sense of scarcity to boost demand—making customers crave the phone even more.
In the grand scheme, it seems that Samsung may not genuinely want to flood the market with the TriFold. If they did, they could produce more of them. Instead, this phone feels more like a luxury item—a way to make the existing $2,000 Galaxy Z Fold seem like a great deal in comparison. While I sit here with my $4,399 phone, the question lingers: is Samsung strategically limiting its availability to enhance its desirability?
To truly improve this product’s rollout, Samsung might consider expanding its production and ensuring a smoother buying experience. If they don’t, they risk losing touch with eager consumers who are willing to pay top dollar for the latest technology.
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Foldable Phones,Gadgets,Mobile,Samsung,Tech
