Rumor machine: Samsung will unveil its next-generation foldable phones on August 10 at the company’s Unpacked event. We don’t expect to see too many changes this year, especially when it comes to the design, but there are rumors that the company is making a minor but significant name change to both devices.
According to leaker SnoopyTech, Samsung will remove the “Z” from the names of the Galaxy Z Fold 4 and Galaxy Z Flip 4, a change that will also apply to all future foldables in the series.
Samsung Electronics is trying to get rid of the letter “Z” in its series of foldable phones. From Flip/Fold 4, the letter will no longer be printed on the boxes. This is because the Russian army uses the letter.
— SnoopyTech (@_snoopytech_) August 2, 2022
While the majority of consumers tend not to mention the Z part when talking regarding Galaxy Folds and Galaxy Flips, the reason for Samsung’s alleged decision is the negative connotation behind the letter following the invasion of Ukraine. by Russia.
archyde news
Hand-painted Z-shaped letters were spotted on Russian military tanks and trucks on the Ukrainian border days before the invasion in February, and since then they have been used as a symbol of support for Russia. There are several theories regarding what it represents, from Zapad (west), where Russian troops were stationed, to Za pobedu (“for victory”).
A Russian news anchor in April claimed that the Z was actually two number 7s on top of each other, one of them upside down and reversed, representing 77 years since VE Day, the end of World War II.
This clip also explains what the “Z” is meant to symbolize: two stacked 7’s (one upside down), representing 77 years since VE Day. So, to celebrate the end of World War II, Putin decided to launch a WWZ. https://t.co/WOvki2nChj
– Julia Davis (@JuliaDavisNews) 19 avril 2022
It’s still just a rumor that should be taken with a dose of salt, but it’s believable, especially since Samsung has already removed the Z from the Flip 3 and Fold 3 in Baltic countries like Estonia, Lithuania and Latvia in April. The company is also one of several companies to have stopped doing business in Russia, following banning smartphone shipments to the country in March.
In May, Russian DOTA 2 player Ivan “Pure” Moskalenko had his team disqualified from a tournament and had his contract terminated following displaying what appeared to be the Z symbol during a live match. He claimed it was an “accident” without apologizing.
When you try to fuck the whole Internet what happened by accident. -Al you creature intentionally painted everything. pic.twitter.com/JPpfqiS1GD
— ‘iktor ‘olkov (@KoTHunt) 29 avril 2022
We’ll find out if Samsung’s next phones are called the Galaxy Z Fold/Flip 4 or if they’re dropping the Z in exactly one week from now. In the meantime, check out these official leaked renders of the two devices, which display the letter Z.
