Samsung Electronics said it will supply customised Galaxy Z Flip7 smartphones to athletes competing at the Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026, continuing the growing use of consumer technology as part of Games-time operations and athlete services.
The company said about 3,800 Olympians and Paralympians from roughly 90 countries will receive the Galaxy Z Flip7 Olympic Edition, which will be distributed through Olympic Villages across several host cities starting later this month.
Samsung has been an Olympic partner since the late 1990s and has previously provided special-edition smartphones to athletes at recent Games. Organisers and partners increasingly use mobile devices to support communication, digital credentials and content sharing during competitions.
At Milano Cortina 2026, the devices will also be used for official podium photography through the “Victory Selfie”, allowing athletes to capture images themselves after medal ceremonies. The feature was first introduced at the Paris 2024 Summer Games and will be extended to winter sports, including team events.
Samsung Olympic partnership
The Galaxy Z Flip7 Olympic Edition is based on Samsung’s foldable smartphone and includes features such as a dual rear camera system, offline language translation and artificial intelligence tools for photo editing and daily updates. Samsung said some functions are designed to operate without continuous network access, which can be relevant in remote or mountainous competition venues.
The phones will come preloaded with applications used during the Games, including official Olympic services, digital passes and fitness tracking tools. Athletes will also receive a 5G eSIM with data connectivity for the duration of the event, Samsung said.
Alongside the device rollout, Samsung is launching a “Victory Profile” initiative with selected National Olympic Committees. The project involves producing portrait images of athletes using Samsung devices, focusing on personal stories beyond competition results. The initial phase includes athletes from nine countries.
Technology companies have expanded their role around the Olympic and Paralympic Games in recent years, supplying hardware, software and digital services alongside traditional broadcasting and timing systems. For athletes, organisers and sponsors, smartphones have become a standard part of logistics, communication and media engagement during the Games.
The Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Games will be held across multiple venues in northern Italy. Samsung said it will operate on-site support stations at Olympic Villages to assist athletes with device setup, data transfer and technical issues.
