Samsung’s new Galaxy Z Fold 7 may be an engineering marvel, but its accessory pricing is raising eyebrows — and blood pressure — among early adopters.

After receiving a review unit of the Fold 7 (full review here), I visited JB Hi-Fi to pick up a protective case. The reason? The phone’s triple-lens rear camera layout prevents it from lying flat — a design flaw that immediately made me concerned about damage from everyday use.

What I found was jaw-dropping: the official Samsung silicone case for the Fold 7 was priced at a hefty $129. Inside the box? A flimsy plastic silicon shell made in China, worth no more than $5, along with a poorly functioning screen protector and an integrated plastic stand on the back that could be produced for cents.

We asked several third-party accessory manufacturers what the total production cost — including packaging — might be. Their estimate? Around $25.

To make matters worse, the case’s design, particularly the protruding stand and lens cutout, interferes with wireless charging — a basic feature for a phone of this calibre.

Although Samsung initially listed the case on its website for $129, the price has since dropped to $90.30 — a $38.70 discount that raises the question: was the original price artificially inflated?

In stark contrast, online retailers like Temu are offering leather Fold 7 cases with built-in MagSafe functionality for as little as $30 — with free shipping and multiple colour options.

While Samsung continues to lead the way in smartphone innovation, critics argue that the company is capitalising on its proprietary designs to drive high-margin accessory sales. With limited third-party licensing and low production volumes for foldable devices, few accessory makers are willing to invest in the segment — leaving consumers with few affordable alternatives.

Meanwhile, brands like Motorola and Oppo include basic protective covers in the box, offering added value without additional cost.

A quick online search reveals growing frustration among Samsung customers, not just over phone covers, but across the board — from chargers to styluses to earbuds. For instance, Samsung’s Galaxy S Pen Pro is priced at over $89 in Australia, despite comparable third-party styluses selling for a fraction of the cost.

At JB Hi-Fi, the same Fold 7 case I purchased for $129 was on sale for just $77 within two weeks — further fuelling accusations of price manipulation.

Many consumers feel gouged by the current accessory pricing model, particularly as Samsung continues its controversial trend of removing essential items like chargers and earphones from the box — a move it once criticised Apple for. Now, most Galaxy phones ship without these basics, pushing buyers to fork out even more.

As one frustrated customer wrote on Reddit: “It’s like buying a car and then being told the steering wheel is sold separately.”

Samsung, for its part, defends its pricing by citing quality, safety certifications, and “seamless integration.” But for a silicone case that offers no functional software or hardware integration, many are questioning the validity of that claim.

If you factor in the full cost of ownership — $2,849 for the Fold 7, $129 for a case (now discounted), and $65 for a 65W charger — you’re looking at well over $3,000 for a complete setup.

For loyal Samsung users, the question is no longer whether the tech is worth it — but whether the accessories are worth the price.