In a major theft that’s grabbed headlines across the tech world, around 12,000 of Samsung’s latest foldable smartphones were stolen in transit near London’s Heathrow Airport, dealing a blow to the company just weeks after launch.
Truck carrying Z Fold 7 and Flip 7 hijacked
According to well-known tipster @UniverseIce, the heist took place late last week, involving a truck carrying a large shipment of Galaxy Z Fold 7 and Z Flip 7 units. The stolen cargo is estimated to be worth around $10.6 million (approximately £7.9 million), making it one of the UK’s largest electronics thefts in recent years.
The phones were reportedly on their way to a warehouse after arriving in the UK when the truck was hijacked. Alongside the foldables, the shipment also reportedly included other newly launched products such as the Galaxy S25 series and Galaxy Watch 8.
With the Z Flip 7 priced at £1,049 and the Z Fold 7 starting at £1,799, the shipment was clearly a high-value target. The incident is likely to impact Samsung’s supply chain in the UK and delay retail availability for customers awaiting pre-orders following the global launch on July 9.
Heathrow’s ongoing security issues
Heathrow has been a frequent target for organized electronics theft, with its position as a key logistics hub making it vulnerable. UK police say up to 75% of stolen smartphones are smuggled out of the country within 72 hours, making recovery difficult.
Earlier this year, 1,000 smartphones were recovered near Heathrow in a separate case, highlighting ongoing security concerns. Devices stolen in such heists often resurface on the grey market with blocked IMEI numbers, rendering them ineligible for official support or warranty, and posing a risk for buyers.
Samsung has yet to release an official statement as of writing, but is expected to work closely with logistics partners and authorities going forward. Customers are advised to be cautious when purchasing devices from unofficial sources and verify IMEI numbers to ensure their phones are not blacklisted.
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