Samsung’s newest foldable phones were stolen near London. The truck carrying the Samsung Fold 7 and Flip 7 vanished as excitement for the devices peaked. Over 12,000 Galaxy products were in the shipment. This included 5,000 Galaxy Z Fold 7s and 5,000 Flip 7s. Thousands of Galaxy Watch 8 units were also taken. Reports say the truck was stolen after arriving at a warehouse near Heathrow Airport.
The stolen items are valued at about $9.6 million. Thankfully, Samsung had full insurance. This means the company will not face a direct financial loss from the theft. The phones had just arrived by plane. They were meant for stores across the UK. But the truck and its tech disappeared somewhere between the airport and the distribution centers.
Shipment Was Meant for Retail Stores
The phones were fresh off the plane, set to be delivered to stores across the UK. But somewhere between the airport and retail distribution, the truck and the tech inside disappeared.
British police have launched an investigation and have located the container. The details about whether the devices were recovered or if anyone has been caught remain unclear.
Samsung Fold 7 and Flip 7 Stolen: Why It’s a Big Deal
The timing of the theft is quite remarkable. Just days before, Samsung announced record pre-orders for the new Galaxy Fold 7 and Flip 7. Demand was particularly strong in places like South Korea, India, and the U.S.
Experts praised the new foldables. They noted the sleeker design, stronger build, and better multitasking features. Special offers and bundles fueled excitement. This buzz attracted more than just tech enthusiasts.
What Happens Now?
Samsung stated that no customer data was compromised. The stolen phones were sealed. However, experts believe the phones could soon appear on unofficial resale sites. These gray markets often sell stolen items without warranties. Samsung plans to work with phone carriers. They will block the IMEI numbers. This will prevent the stolen phones from being activated.
UK retailers anticipate minor delays for some pre-orders.
Not the First Time
This theft is one of the largest smartphone heists in years. Similar thefts of tech shipments, like iPhones and laptops, have occurred before. With $10 million worth of gadgets gone, the incident is gaining global attention. Ironically, this theft might even increase interest in the Galaxy foldables.
It’s crazy, but people are already asking if these phones are worth stealing. That tells you how big this launch is.
-Redditt user
Final Word
Samsung’s new foldables were already in the spotlight. Now, thanks to this high-stakes theft, they’re making headlines for a whole new reason.
Whether the phones are found or not, the incident shows just how valuable and vulnerable tech shipments can be in today’s fast-moving market.
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