Samsung’s advertising for its Galaxy Z Flip series often targets Gen Z, focusing on photo shoots and features like interpreter mode. However, the company has recently shifted its marketing approach by promoting the foldable phone as a tool for law enforcement.
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In a post on Samsung’s newsroom titled “Samsung Technology Is Helping Police Authorities Protect the Public’s Safety,” the company revealed that two police departments in Missouri participated in a pilot program incorporating the Z Flip into their daily operations. This initiative marks the first known instance of police using a foldable device as a body-worn camera, a move aimed at enhancing transparency. The program has since expanded to include two additional departments.
Samsung collaborated with Visual Labs, a leading provider of body camera solutions, to adapt the Z Flip for police use. Modifications included remapping the external volume button to activate the body camera function in urgent situations. The phones can also automatically start recording when they detect a pursuit or when used with a dashcam when a vehicle’s emergency lights are activated. Visual Labs’ software enables immediate cloud upload of video footage, ensuring quick access and review.
Samsung announced that this technology is being extended to 25 metro police departments across five states, underscoring the company’s commitment to providing tools that enhance the effectiveness of law enforcement in the U.S. Visual Labs has also partnered with T-Mobile to offer Android smartphone bodycams to police forces, further expanding the reach of this technology.
Currently, the U.S. market for body-worn cameras is dominated by Axon, followed by Motorola and other companies. These cameras are touted as critical tools for accountability and transparency within law enforcement. However, as investigations by ProPublica and The New York Times revealed, local policies can sometimes undermine this promise by delaying or restricting the release of footage.
