SMOK Trinity Alpha AIO Kit – A Second Look

A month or so ago, we published a review of the SMOK Trinity Alpha AIO kit, and by and large, we really liked it. However, opinions from vape reviewers aren’t nearly as valuable as feedback from “real people.” So when one of our friends (let’s just call him Craig) was gifted a new Trinity Alpha to enjoy, we were curious to see what he thought. Interestingly, he found a few more flaws than we did – and we’re usually looking for them, rather than encouraging our reader to buy one of everything. We do not, ever, earn any type of commission when a reader clicks a link. It’s just not who we are.

For those of you new to the Trinity Alpha, let’s do a little housekeeping first. Then let’s get into some of the other points Craig made.

The SMOK TRINITY ALPHA 25W Pod System is a representation of the ultimate all-in-one vape pod kit, deploying creative design elements combined with advanced chipset with three output modes, 1000mAh battery, and the NORD Coil System for a momentous creation. The SMOKTech Trinity Alpha is fully constructed with high-level of craftsmanship, illustrating a quality alloy shell with beautiful unique resin panels for a luxurious all-in-one, or AIO, pod system. The built-in 1000mAh rechargeable battery provides ample power to use throughout the day.

One thing we ALL agreed upon was the look and feel of the Trinity Alpha. Though it’s an overused design, the mod is sharp as hell, with well-implemented resin, strong frame construction and comfortable mouthpiece. In fact, Craig actually put the Trinity Alpha AHEAD of the Lost Vape Orion – a mod he hasn’t stopped using since he got one a few months back.

We also agreed that, like the Lost Vape Orion, the Trinity Alpha does a good job bridging the gap between pod mod portability and standard mod design. It’s compact, feels good in the hand, and can easily slide into a front pocket without concern.

BUT – and you knew one was coming – Craig didn’t like the slide to open fill system, which we thought was a highlight of the device. While filling wasn’t a problem, Craig found the tank section far too loose for his liking. After just a few short drops and tips (think 1-2 feet) the Trinity Alpha could barely hold the tank in place, with it popping off nearly every time it was laid on a hard surface.

While the mod kept working (and working well) before long, Craig was so frustrated he resorted to using electrical tape to ensure a good fit.

Standout Features

Craig was a big fan of the SMOK Nord pod mod, so he was excited to learn the Trinity Alpha also used these versatile coils. In case you missed it the first time around, by using the Nord mesh heads the Trinity Alpha can be put to work as a serviceable sub-ohm vape, in addition to the more MTL-focused use devices like this typically lean towards.

That’s right – both the 0.6-ohm (25-watt max) and 0.8-ohm (16-watt max) heads are well below resistances most “pod mod” setups would even consider using. But there’s also higher-resistance heads available within the series, so users seeking a true “one-stop shop” for multiple styles of vaping are going to love this.

Craig’s big takeaway? “I’m sub-ohming on the same mod I used nic salts with!” That’s the kind of feedback SMOK is probably looking for.

But no matter which coils we tested, they’re all strong performers. Not only are they long-lasting, maintaining flavor for a good stretch, they also handle high-VG juices without concern. Maybe this isn’t a competition rig (which is a dumb thing to write, anyway) but the Trinity Alpha/NORD coil system is definitely one worth building on for future iterations.

Spinfuel VAPE (and Craig’s) Recommendation and Score

The big shame about this second opinion review is that Craig generally enjoyed using the Trinity Alpha. He liked the feel and the vape quality, but couldn’t stomach the loose pod attachment and overall lack of stability that came from it.

To be fair, we didn’t experience the same things during testing, but our baseline came from an office environment, not real-world use. Craig is a guy who regularly pockets his mods, throws them in a toolbox, and yeah, occasionally drops them. Most of the devices he uses everyday can handle these dings without worry. The Trinity Alpha wasn’t nearly as reliable under the same conditions.

But what broke his heart is that he really enjoyed the thick vapor, deep flavor and strong internal battery performance – with some of those elements surpassing his beloved Lost Vape Orion. We asked him if he’d be willing to try another Trinity Alpha if it crossed our desks, and his response was a resounding “yes!” so we’re going to hope and pray that his experience was a fluky, isolated incident, and not the reality for the device.