A major theft involving newly launched Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 and Z Flip 7 devices has occurred near Heathrow Airport, impacting over 12,000 devices including watches and smartphones. A truck carrying Samsung’s latest foldable smartphones, the Galaxy Z Fold 7 and Z Flip 7, was stolen shortly after arriving at London’s Heathrow Airport. The shipment, reportedly worth over € 9.8 million, contained roughly 5,000 units of each model. The products were allegedly moved to a warehouse shortly after the theft.
Other devices included in theft
Initial reports focused on the foldables, but further investigations revealed that the stolen goods also included approximately 5,000 Galaxy Watch 8 units and an unspecified number of Samsung Galaxy S25 and A16 smartphones. Most of the stolen devices were part of Samsung’s latest product lineup.
GSMA helps trace stolen smartphones
To prevent stolen phones from entering the primary and secondary market, the GSMA’s global IMEI database offers a robust tracking system. The system allows regulators, customs, and mobile networks to identify blacklisted devices and block them from activation, helping consumers avoid purchasing stolen goods.
Samsung likely to blacklist devices
Although Samsung has yet to release an official statement, the company is expected to work with UK authorities to locate the stolen shipment. It is also likely to remotely lock the stolen devices, rendering them unusable. Despite the incident, Samsung confirmed that pre-orders will not be affected, and shipments to customers remain on track.
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