12,000 Galaxy Z Fold 7 and Flip 7 Units Stolen in $10.6M Heist
Over 12,000 units of Galaxy Z Fold 7 and Flip 7 stolen worth $10.6 million in a high-profile heist near Heathrow Airport, possibly delaying pre-orders in the UK.
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Just weeks after the global launch of Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold 7 and Flip 7, the company is now facing an unexpected challenge. And this one has nothing to do with software bugs or design issues.
In what’s turning out to be one of the UK’s biggest electronics thefts in recent years, 12,000 foldable smartphones were stolen near London’s Heathrow Airport. The estimated loss? A staggering $10.6 million (around £7.9 million).
Truck Carrying Samsung’s Foldables Hijacked Near Heathrow
According to trusted tipster @UniverseIce, a truck transporting newly arrived Samsung devices with Galaxy Z Fold 7, Z Flip 7, and even Galaxy S25 series and Galaxy Watch 8 units was hijacked last week.
The shipment was on its way to a warehouse after customs clearance when the heist occurred.
This wasn’t just any shipment. With the Z Fold 7 priced at £1,799 and the Z Flip 7 starting at £1,049, the stolen cargo was clearly a high-value target.
The timing couldn’t have been worse either. Customers had just started receiving pre-order confirmations after Samsung’s global launch on July 9.
If you missed it, here’s a quick look at what makes the Galaxy Z Fold 7 smarter, stronger, and sleeker this year — now possibly in short supply in the UK after this heist.
And if you’re wondering whether Samsung might keep prices competitive despite the theft, there’s already speculation that the Fold7 and Flip7 might not break the bank. But there’s a catch.
Heathrow’s Security Under Scrutiny Again
This isn’t the first time Heathrow has been linked to major electronics thefts. Being one of the busiest logistics hubs in Europe, the airport has unfortunately become a target for organized tech cargo theft.
Authorities have confirmed that up to 75% of stolen smartphones are usually smuggled out of the country within 72 hours, which makes recovery very difficult.
Many of these devices later reappear on grey markets, with blocked IMEI numbers, meaning buyers can’t activate the phones on official networks or claim warranty support.
Earlier this year, a separate operation near Heathrow led to the recovery of 1,000 stolen smartphones, pointing to a larger security issue that’s yet to be resolved.
What Samsung and Customers Should Expect
Samsung has not issued an official statement yet, but the company is expected to work closely with logistics partners and UK law enforcement in the coming weeks.
If you’re a customer planning to buy one of these new foldables, especially from unofficial sellers or marketplaces, this is a good time to be cautious.
Always check the IMEI number before purchase to ensure the device isn’t blacklisted or tied to the stolen batch.
Also, the Galaxy Z Flip7 and Flip7 FE are reportedly on the way, but don’t expect any big durability upgrades. And that could make this stolen shipment even more sought-after on black markets.
Final word
While the Galaxy Z Fold 7 and Flip 7 were supposed to make headlines for innovation and new features, this heist has shifted attention to something far less glamorous.
For Samsung, it’s a wake-up call on logistics security. For customers, it may just mean a longer wait before getting hands on those sleek new foldables.
If your Galaxy pre-order seems to be running late, this massive heist might just be the reason behind it.
Disclaimer: This article is independently written and published by gadgetsy.in staff after thorough research and analysis from publicly available resources and tipsters. Pricing may vary from region to region and availability.
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