[단독] Samsung removes ‘Z’ from foldable phone series sold in Ukraine

It has been confirmed that Samsung Electronics has deleted the ‘Z’ from the Galaxy Z series sold in Ukraine. Following the three Baltic countries with strong anti-Russian tendencies, the same measures were taken in Ukraine.

According to the industry on the 1st, Samsung Electronics removed the ‘Z’ from the Galaxy Z series sold on the Ukraine website that day. The existing name ‘Galaxy Z Fold 3 · Flip 3’ was changed to ‘Galaxy Fold 3 · Flip 3′. The Galaxy Z series is Samsung Electronics’ foldable phone lineup.

Prior to this, Samsung Electronics also deleted the Z mark on the Samsung.com website in Lithuania, Latvia, and the Baltic countries of Estonia. The Baltic States are a member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and are adjacent to Ukraine and Russia.

The reason Samsung Electronics removed the Z from the websites of these countries is that the Z is a symbol of the Russian war.

Exactly what the Z sign stands for has not been officially confirmed, but it is used in Russia to support the invasion of Ukraine. The Z-mark first drew attention at the beginning of the invasion, when painted Z-marks were spotted on Russian tanks and self-propelled guns.

Combining foreign media reports such as the BBC, it is estimated that the Z sign means ‘for victory’ (Za pobedy) and indicates the direction of the advance toward Ukraine, which is Russia’s ‘west’ (Zapad).

The Z symbol is currently drawn on Russian street billboards, bus stops, and cars, and T-shirts with the Z are also on sale. Even the school mobilized children to make the Z mark, took a picture and posted it on social media, causing controversy.

Also, during the Gymnastics World Cup held in Doha, Qatar last month, a Russian gymnast put the Z mark on his uniform and caused a controversy on the podium of the International Gymnastics Federation (FIG). Currently, Germany has a legal ban on political intentions marked with a Z.

On the other hand, some analysts say that Samsung’s move could be poisonous. For Samsung, Russia is the world’s sixth-largest smartphone market and Europe’s largest consumer market.

In the Russian smartphone market, Samsung Electronics has maintained the top position since 2007 with a market share of 34%. It has also been ranked number 1 in the world for 10 years in ‘Consumers’ Favorite Brands’ published by OMI, a Russian brand market research firm.

Meanwhile, Samsung Electronics has not deleted the Z mark on its foldable phone series on the Samsung.com website in Russia, but is maintaining it as it is.

[김승한 매경닷컴 기자]
[ⓒ 매일경제 & mk.co.kr, 무단전재 및 재배포 금지]