$10.6 million heist: Nearly 12,000 Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 and Flip 7 phones stolen
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.
A truck carrying Samsung Electronics' latest foldable phone series, the Galaxy Z7, was recently stolen near London Heathrow Airport. About 12,000 Galaxy Z Flip7 and Z Fold7 units were stolen, resulting in economic losses of US$10.6 million. pic.twitter.com/TFt5cVmGEX
— PhoneArt (@UniverseIce) August 4, 2025
