Used by Samsung for its range of folding smartphones since the arrival of the first Galaxy Z Flip, in 2020, the letter “Z” now disappears from the nomenclatures of the Korean giant in certain countries. The reason ? It should be sought on the side of the Russian-Ukrainian conflict.
The nomenclature of smartphones Samsung is relatively simple to understand: the letter A designates entry and mid-range devices, the S premium products, while the letter Z has referred, since 2020 and the first Galaxy Z Flip, to the brand’s folding mobiles. That could change. We learn fromAndroid Police that Samsung would have started to abandon the letter Z in the nomenclature of its folding smartphones.
So far, this change has mainly been observed in certain European countries, notably in Estonia and Latvia, where the Galaxy Z Fold 3 and Z Flip 3 have lost their Z. In the countries concerned, the official Samsung Store now sells Galaxy Fold 3 and Flip 3 “just short”. Samsung is also reportedly removing the Z from its boxes, printing new packaging for these products now.
Towards a global change?
It is not known at this stage whether this change in nomenclature, for the moment limited to the Baltic countries and a few countries in Eastern Europe, will extend in the future to all the markets where Samsung is established. The thing is not to be excluded, but it will probably be necessary to wait for an official press release from Samsung to find out more. For the moment the brand has not yet shared any.
Samsung has removed the ‘Z’ from its phones in certain European countries.
Z Fold/Flip3 are being sold as just Galaxy Fold3/Flip3.
Change could be due to symbol ‘Z’ representing Russian Army during the ongoing invasion in Ukraine. New retail boxes have been printed as well. pic.twitter.com/RvadGYN0Xi
– Ishan Agarwal (@ ishanagarwal24) March 29, 2022
As a reminder, the letter Z is not insignificant. It was painted by Vladimir Putin’s troops on vehicles and equipment used to invade Ukraine, presumably to help distinguish them from Ukrainian forces (often equipped with Russian equipment as well). Subsequently, this letter was picked up, especially online, by pro-invasion propaganda, Kremlin supporters and other Putin regime sympathizers.
It is in this context that Samsung is visibly seeking to erase the Z from its products. And the thing makes sense: the brand is among the first to withdraw from the Russian market after the invasion.
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