I am very interested in buying a Galaxy Z Trifold and importing it into the US.
I think the RAM and SSD chip shortages that the entire industry is seeing is not a joke and is going to cause future mobile devices to sky rocket in price and also become very scarce. I work in the IT industry and some OEMs have told me that chip makers are stopping production on mobility grade chips to focus on PC and Server chips.
I think we won’t see the trifold launch until March and the price is going to be close to $3500.
All being said, it feels like my only choice is to buy off of eBay. I found a seller who is selling both a Korean unlocked trifold and for $100 more, a factory unlocked trifold. Anyone have advice on the two options?
Also, if anyone else knows of a way to buy (short of flying over), I’m all ears!
To get it out of the way, I know it’s expensive, I know the drawbacks, I know it’s Gen 1, etc. Looking for procurement advise here!
People are paying $2500-$2600 in us dollars full retail price, zero chance this costs $3500 in the US when is launching in a few months.
Err no, it’s 2500 in Korea there’s no way it will be this price in US. 3k is more likely
Completely agree don't know where this news of price increase that much coming from ?
Supply and demand. 2500 is without factoring in tax and duty fees. Best case it will be 2800
Straight currency conversion doesn’t compute based off of pricing on the Z Fold 7 in South Korea based what it ended up costing in US.
I believe the intention was to launch in us at $2799, but again. Chip shortages are ballooning prices on absolutely everything right now.
See below links:
https://m.gsmarena.com/counterpoint_smartphone_market_will_shrink_in_2026_prices_will_rise_due_to_ram_shortages-amp-70738.php
https://9to5google.com/2025/12/02/galaxy-z-trifold-first-look-display-price/
>Chip shortages are ballooning prices on absolutely everything right now.
But the RAM shortage in effect rn shouldn't affect Samsung or Apple. They have to buy in bulk months and months ahead of time, do they not?
I can generally agree with this. That being said new product launches are the opportunity to level out. They are still producing Fold 7’s but they can’t just jack the price up because of RAM.
Allegedly mid tier and lower end smartphones are really the ones that will get hit with big increases, but it feels like eveyone is guessing right now
This is gonna age like milk
Avoid the UAE models, the Dubai Mall had 500 units but the UAE has kernel based restrictions on certain apps that are banned there (like WhatsApp before last Summer).
Honestly I'd wait for it to launch in your own country, to get the warranty for screen failures. I'm on my third screen for my Fold 4, and this one doesn't fold flat either so if I were still under warranty I'd be on my fourth. On an import, Samsung could get shirty about replacements even once it's available.
I was just at the Dubai mall 2 weeks ago, seen the tri folds all over the place, and great price. I hesitated beacus I kinda knew about restrictions.
Thanks for confirming
Yep, heard from someone who bought an ipad last year then tried to use it worldwide. WhatsApp does work now, but in years gone by communications were seen as a government responsibility, and that meant they could charge expats what they want for calls, and anything that aims circumvent it is in direct competition. Oman was even more strict on that, couldnt even use Facebook messengers text portion.
Trinity electronics has them and very reputable. It's where I bought my mate XT for delivery into the US. I believe they have the trifold for 4300 on there currently.
What seller is this? Do they cover customs or any other import duty?
They do. ModernTek on eBay. Has a good track record and is responsive to messages.
Interesting. I see listening from them for like 4700 USD. Not sure where you see 3600. But that's a good deal if you are getting that IMO. Assuming you don't want to wait for the official release in US.
Oh yeah no. I’d love one at $3600 lol. What I was saying is that I honestly think when these eventually launch in the US the price is going to be $3000 plus because of all of the RAM shortages.
Dell raised their prices nearly 20% on end user compute devices for large enterprises because of chip supply and demand. HPE raised server prices close to 50%. The crunch is real and is hitting everything.
Would you mind sharing the link? I look at their ebay but it's not listed. I'm looking for one too but I'm in Australia
what’s driving the chip shortage is it AI demand? I personally don’t think phones are going to skyrocket in price (just my opinion, I obv can’t tell the future). I’ll probably wait for the US release. I originally was trying to hold out for the Fold 8, but after seeing more YT videos, I am leaning toward trifold.
AI sever demand is it. Those servers are so ram and memory hungry. Not to mention power hungry which leads to cooling and energy grid issues. One AI server blade consumes in one month the same amount of power that a typical house does over 14 months. Crazy to think about.
alot of folks are saying AI is a bubble. I don’t think so as I find it useful as hell, but I do think there will be a plateauing of demand (not a crash). esp given the power reqs needed. i dont think it’s sustainable for AI growth to keep rising as it has been. again my 2c
Just wait until its available in the US in a few months lol.
Regarding advice about the 2 options - If you search this sub reddit someone put up a post about an important difference between the 2 versions. One model comes with 2 physical sim slots, one comes with one esim and one physical sim tray. Not sure if that is important for you. I can't remember which way round it is, sorry.
My thing is, will you be able to activate the unlocked version with US carriers? Will it recognize it being a SK device?
Yes except for Verizon
Im going to Korea in Jan, if its in stock, and works with my sim and stuff... Ill get it there
You go in a store or online and buy it ?
Preferably on black friday or something like that
When will this be released in the UK?
You’re getting it by march next year maybe just wait? You. Can buy off average dad tech store if you want it badly enough
I buy my devices from themobilemarvel they have the Korean and Chinese trifolds on the site
Only 100$ more and it've made you to ponder that hard. I guess trifold is not for you.
$100 is $100. I’ve never heard of a Korean only unlock. Do you happen to know the difference between the two?
From recent days youtube and reddit I watched. It seems the Korean unlocked works with Japan, Taiwan, China (all imported the Korea version) on youtube and one person from UK on reddit (also imported Korea version)
I'm not sure of all the differences but on the Korean model, Samsung Pay only works in Korea.
Why would you buy that without Samsung care. You playing a dangerous game.
Everything I have read says that Samsung Care is not being offered for the trifold.
Samsung care is not being offered for the trifold
As long as you are careful you will be fine
I hope it's cheap in Brazil 🇧🇷 it has to be
Y'all have too much money to spend on gimmicks 💀
I’ve been a mobility nerd for 20 years. I started saving for this the second it got teased. It drove my decision to buy an iPhone Air. I’m a 2 phone guy and the combo of the two is perfect for me.
PS quick hack for anyone thinking two phones… if you switch to Google Fi’s top tier plan you get 5 additional data only sims for free. Right now I rock an iPhone Air as my primary Google Fi line and have a data only eSIM in my Fold 7. Great little hack
You can also get Helium $0 line for a 2nd SIM but it'll have call, text, and light data usage
I have. It
Solid! I wasn’t familiar with helium I did however have Helio back in the day!
Yeah it's pretty dope. If you wanted to add unlimited calling and texting to the Zero plan it's $5 a month.
Helium uses T-Mobile towers.
Their paid plans are also not bad either, but for an emergency 2nd SIM or for small business purposes I like it a lot
MVNO’s like that are able to drive huge value. US Mobile business strategy is wild too