From January 30, you’ll be able to walk into a Samsung Experience Store and buy a Samsung Galaxy Z TriFold, which is undeniably one of the coolest new mobile devices we’ve seen in years.
The thing is, you’ll have to hand over $2,900 to get one, and that’s an awful lot of money.
If that’s pocket change for you, great, go get one on launch day.
If getting one gadget for nearly $3,000 doesn’t sound like the best value, here are three alternative ways to spend it on a bag full of modern tech products.
Samsung’s Galaxy Z TriFold will be expensive, wild, and shockingly practical
It’s expensive, but you get a versatile phone
It’s not the price that’s the problem
It’s the value
To understand why we’d suggest purchasing several products instead of a single, versatile one, it’s all about the value of competition.
When you’re spending $1,000 on a new smartphone, there’s plenty of other, similarly priced alternatives, ready for you to make a choice. When you’re spending $2,900, the choice just isn’t there.
The Galaxy Z TriFold is easily one of the most expensive mobile phones to be released, and deciding to buy it isn’t the same process as deciding to buy a $1,200 Galaxy S25 Ultra.
Therefore, if you’re seriously thinking of buying the Galaxy Z TriFold, you need to think bigger about the alternatives. It’s not one device it competes with, but entire ecosystems.
The Samsung ecosystem
Perhaps you’re a Samsung diehard, and want to own and use the best from your favorite brand. With $2,900 burning a hole in your (deep) pocket, getting the best doesn’t have to mean the Galaxy Z TriFold.
Wait a month or so, and the Galaxy S26 series will almost certainly be available to buy. Like always, we expect the series to represent the best software and cameras from Samsung, all wrapped up in mainstream hardware.
The Galaxy S26 Ultra will likely cost around $1,200, so put that at the top of your shopping list. Then, add a $300 Galaxy Watch 8. The 40mm version is not only the cheapest, but it’s also the best version, suiting all wrist sizes and keeping the weight right down.
You’re $1,500 deep already, but rather than stop there, I’d recommend adding the Galaxy Tab S11 to your basket. It’s somewhat flawed, and at $800 it’s not cheap, but it’ll give you all the big-screen thrills of the Z TriFold just without the folding action.
With your remaining budget, pick up the official Samsung Book Cover for the tablet, turning it into a handy work machine. All in, this will be around $2,450 before any of Samsung’s regular discounts.
The Apple ecosystem
The Galaxy Z TriFold is exactly the type of hyped-up device that may see Apple owners make the switch over to Android. That’s certainly what Samsung will be hoping.
However, before doing so, seriously consider what you can do with this amount of money inside an Apple Store.
I’d pick up the iPhone 17 Pro Max, but I’d also like to keep spending sensibly, so I’ll actually recommend a standard iPhone 17 Pro. It’s just as capable, but more manageable day-to-day, and at $1,000, fairly sensibly priced too.
You need an Apple Watch, and while I love the Series 11, I’m going to recommend the Apple Watch SE 3. Why? Again, you can maximize what you get for the price here, and not miss out on any essential features.
The Midnight case finish looks great, and I’d pair it with a Braided Solo Loop for ultimate everyday comfort. Choose the 44mm case size and cellular connectivity, and you’ll spend $380 on a fully tricked-out Apple Watch with the best strap option.
Head over to the audio section and pick up a pair of AirPods 3 for $250, which are easily one of the best in-ear headphones available. Your tab is now at $1,680, and the final stop is MacBooks.
Sure, you could go mad on a top iPad Pro, but when a tablet costs more than $1,000, I usually think a good laptop would be the more versatile buy.
The middle $1,200 13-inch MacBook Air doesn’t break our budget. That’s a new phone, smartwatch, earbuds, and laptop for $2,880.
The wildcard ecosystem
Buying an entire Samsung or Apple ecosystem of products is a bit obvious, so what if you’re a little more adventurous? You’ll want my wildcard ecosystem. This one is presented mostly to illustrate choice, rather than a set of products that all work together.
The $1,000 Google Pixel 10 Pro is the phone I’d choose here. It’s just so capable, the camera is brilliant, and the hardware delectable.
However, I’m going to shun the Pixel Watch 4. It’s not bad, just a bit boring.
Instead, buy a Casio G-Shock GMW-B5000 watch. The square shape is iconic, and the stainless steel construction gives it both strength and style, plus there’s a simple smartphone link to adjust the watch’s features and set the time. There are several to choose from, and all cost about $600.
Now it’s time for an iPad. To make the most of our budget, go for the 11-inch iPad Air and equip it with 256GB of storage, an Apple Pencil, and Apple’s brilliant Magic Keyboard.
Together, it’s a superb package for just under $1,050. I’m aware I said this was the tipping point where a laptop makes more sense, but this is the wildcard ecosystem, so anything goes.
We’re about $2,650 in at this point, and here’s where you can have a bit of fun with the remaining budget.
A set of $300 Nothing Headphone 1 or the $100 CMF Headphone Pro would add even more color and style to your kit, or a pair of Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro if you want to stay more incognito.
Or forget the iPad’s keyboard and choose the cheapest headphones to get a gaming device, like the $400 Ayaneo Pocket DS, or a $550 OLED Steamdeck.
We’re at or around the price of a Galaxy Z TriFold, but have a bag full of lovely new gadgets to play with.
Versatile single device
Or lots of devices?
The Galaxy Z TriFold is designed to take the place of your phone and tablet, and it’s impossible to argue against not only its versatility, but also its convenience.
However, it’s a lot of money to wrap up in one single device, and I have the feeling people will like having a selection of different devices to enjoy.
There’s no right or wrong way to spend nearly $3,000 on mobile tech, but there is value in understanding the competition, and the Galaxy Z TriFold’s competition is not a Pixel 10 Pro Fold or an iPad Pro, but a complete ecosystem of products.
