About 150 miles south of Seoul sits Samsung’s manufacturing facility in Gumi, the place the corporate produces and stress checks lots of its Galaxy smartphones, together with its foldable units.
On a sweltering day in June, I made my approach to the Korean manufacturing campus (in type through helicopter, I would add), which is dubbed Gumi Good Metropolis. There, I acquired a behind-the-scenes take a look at how Samsung manufactures telephones together with the Galaxy S26, S26 Extremely and the brand-new Z Fold 8 Extremely. I noticed the brand new foldable a month earlier than its debut at Galaxy Unpacked in London, the place Samsung additionally unveiled the Z Fold 8 and Z Flip 8.
The Gumi manufacturing plant has operated for practically 40 years, and is one among round a dozen Samsung factories cranking out telephones across the globe. A lot of the Korean facility is automated, with robotic arms lifting telephones, tightening screws and securing the brand new units of their packaging.
I used to be struck by how quiet the huge, warehouse-like facility was and by how easily every cellphone progressed from one stage of the meeting line to the subsequent. I used to be advised the manufacturing ground’s lighting is often dimmer as a result of the robots don’t must see, which helps save power. However throughout my go to, the overhead lights illuminated every step of the method, providing a uncommon glimpse into how our handsets are made.
Right here’s a take a look at Samsung’s manufacturing facility in Korea.
SamsungThese people sit in a management room close to the manufacturing ground entrance, making certain the whole lot runs easily. This glass wall can turn into translucent or opaque with the push of a button.
SamsungStrolling onto the manufacturing ground, rows of boxy stations line the huge area. Most elements are automated, although a couple of individuals are stationed all through to deal with extra advanced duties.
SamsungFirst up on the manufacturing ground is the Galaxy S26. The cellphone’s digicam is assembled in Vietnam and shipped to the Gumi manufacturing facility.
SamsungConnecting the digicam to the primary board is one a part of the meeting course of that’s executed by hand as a result of it’s so tough to automate.
SamsungMost steps within the manufacturing course of are dealt with by these robotic arms. They will tighten screws, connect antennas and safe the cellphone’s again cowl.
SamsungNow that’s beginning to look extra like an S26!
SamsungAdditional down the manufacturing line, the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Extremely is present process last checks earlier than transport.
SamsungI used to be among the many first individuals exterior of Samsung to see the Z Fold 8 Extremely in manufacturing. Closing high quality checks embrace turning the cellphone on and making certain the audio system and different capabilities equivalent to Wi-Fi and Bluetooth all work.
The machines measure the decision of each the duvet and essential shows to make sure the whole lot is sweet to go. It takes about half an hour to finish the complete inspection course of.
SamsungThe digicam inspection consists of analyzing saturation and checking if any mud made its approach in throughout manufacturing. The zoom capabilities are additionally examined.
SamsungOn the very finish of the road, the Galaxy S26 Extremely is able to be packaged. Earlier than the telephones get boxed up, a human does an exterior inspection.
SamsungA robotic arm lifts the lid of the field, drops the cellphone in and provides labels and seals.
SamsungCartons of telephones are stacked on palettes — utilizing a robotic arm, after all — after which shipped to sellers.
Samsung goals to make the plant absolutely autonomous, and primarily based on what I noticed, it doesn’t look like removed from reaching that aim.
