In a fresh scoop, a truck transporting Samsung’s new Galaxy Z7 foldable smartphones was stolen near London Heathrow Airport late last week. The shipment comprised approximately 12,000 units of the Galaxy Z Flip 7 and Z Fold 7, and is valued at $10.6 million – according to reliable tipster @UniverseIce, which makes this one of the largest electronics thefts reported in the UK this year.
The Galaxy Z Flip 7 retails in the UK for £1,049 (~$1,395), and the Z Fold 7 starts at £1,799 (~$2,393). Since these are premium price points, the loss isn’t limited to just economic impact: such incidents can delay product launches, squeeze inventory for pre-orders, and tamper a company’s distribution plans.
Large-scale thefts of high-value electronics around Heathrow are nothing new. As per past reports, criminal gangs frequently target shipments at or near major UK airports. Earlier this year, authorities intercepted a cache of 1,000 stolen smartphones also at Heathrow. Statistically, a huge portion of stolen devices are quickly exported; as per an estimate from the UK police, up to 75% of snatched phones are moved overseas, which adds a whole new layer of complication to the recovery efforts.
For Samsung, the aftermath will likely include insurance claims, more scrutiny on logistics vendors, and a temporary review of supply chain routes. Buyers should be vigilant as well: stolen devices often show up on secondary markets and may be blacklisted or ineligible for official support.
Buy the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7 for $1,219.99 on Amazon.
Anubhav Sharma – Tech Writer – 858 articles published on Notebookcheck since 2024
Fueled by a childhood spent taking apart video game consoles to see how they worked, I turned my passion for tech into writing. I have a double Bachelor’s in Computer Science Engineering (2018) and English (2024). I’ve been writing on a variety of tech topics since 2016, with a particular interest in gaming. When I’m not hunting down the latest tech news, you’ll find me producing music, gaming, or hiking.