SEOUL, Jan 27, 2026, 17:49 (KST)
- Samsung plans to give out a Galaxy Z Flip7 “Olympic Edition” to close to 3,800 athletes competing in Milano Cortina 2026
- The handset will drive “Victory Selfie” podium moments, branching out to include team events for the first time
- Samsung announced the distribution will begin on Jan. 30, featuring a 100GB 5G eSIM along with apps focused on gaming.
On Tuesday, Samsung Electronics revealed a special “Olympic Edition” of its Galaxy Z Flip7 foldable phone. The company plans to hand out nearly 3,800 of these devices to Olympians and Paralympians competing in the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Games in Italy. 1
The Games kick off on Feb. 6, giving Samsung’s handset a prime spot with athletes just days before the competition starts, while brands ramp up marketing for one of the biggest global sporting events of the year, Yonhap reported. 2
Samsung emphasized the phone isn’t available for purchase, making clear it’s a Games-time tool and showcase rather than a consumer product. The device will be handed out at Olympic Villages in six cities beginning Jan. 30, with support stations on-site to assist athletes in activating the devices and transferring data.
Stephanie Choi, executive vice president of Samsung’s mobile division, emphasized that “Athletes are at the heart of the Olympic and Paralympic Games,” and highlighted how the device will help them “connect with fans and families.”
Samsung announced the handset will capture “Victory Selfie” moments on the podium at Milano Cortina, making its Winter Olympics debut. The company also revealed plans to expand the podium selfie format to team sports competitions for the first time, broadening its reach beyond solo medal ceremonies.
Samsung is pushing its “Galaxy AI” suite, a collection of tools that handle everything from photo editing to conversation translation. The company showcased an on-device interpreter capable of real-time translation without needing a network connection, plus features for photo editing and daily briefings.
The Olympic Edition includes a tailored selection of apps and services designed for life in the Olympic Village. Samsung announced athletes will receive a 100GB 5G eSIM — an embedded SIM that connects to mobile networks without needing a physical card — along with digital passes through Samsung Wallet and a “Galaxy Athlete Card” to swap profiles with fellow competitors.
Samsung rolled out “Victory Profile,” a portrait series captured on the Galaxy S25 Ultra. It kicks off with roughly 490 athletes from nine national Olympic committees: France, Germany, Italy, South Korea, Norway, the Netherlands, Sweden, the UK, and the US. Samsung clarified that this initiative depends on athlete involvement and isn’t officially tied to the IOC.
Samsung’s wider Milano Cortina campaign has shifted focus beyond just the podium athletes to highlight the people behind those medal-winning moments. A Jan. 23 campaign breakdown detailed films centered on parents, coaches, siblings, and teammates, all tied together by the tagline “Victory is a team sport.” 3
As phone makers scramble for a slice of the premium market, AI features and top-tier cameras have become the norm. Samsung’s foldables go head-to-head with flagship offerings from Apple and Google, while Chinese brands ramp up their presence in the pricier segments throughout Asia and Europe.
There are risks involved. Olympic exposure doesn’t guarantee sales, and a device without commercial traction can quickly fade once the news buzz dies down. Samsung is also counting on athletes to fully engage with the AI and social features—and for their content to gain traction beyond the event.
Samsung has served as a Worldwide Olympic Partner since the 1998 Nagano Winter Games and has been offering Olympic Edition devices since Sochi 2014. The company confirmed its partnership with the Olympics and Paralympics will continue through Los Angeles 2028.
