UNEXPECTED INVITATION

Every day, I travel across Europe in a truck, and in my free time I photograph the places I discover along the way. Mobile photography has become one of my greatest passions, and I regularly share my photos and experiences on social media. What I never expected was that this passion would one day earn me an invitation to one of the world's biggest technology events.

A few weeks ago, Samsung invited me to attend Galaxy Unpacked 2026 in London. At first, it was hard to believe it was really happening. Once everything was confirmed, all that was left was the countdown to the trip and the excitement of finally experiencing from behind the scenes an event I had previously known only through online broadcasts. It was a reminder that consistently pursuing your passion and sharing it with others can open doors to places you never imagined you'd have the chance to visit.

EVERY DETAIL PERFECTLY ORGANIZED

Right from the very first contact, everything was exceptionally well organized. We received regular updates with detailed information about our flights, hotel, event schedule, and transportation. The organizers also created a dedicated communication group, allowing us to get quick answers to our questions and stay in touch with the other participants. Even before the event began, it was clear that every detail had been carefully planned and executed.

The first day in London was dedicated to onboarding, where we had the opportunity to meet the other participants and learn more about the schedule for the days ahead. It was also our first chance to get to know one another and explore Samsung's device ecosystem. It quickly became clear that Galaxy Unpacked is much more than a product launch—it is several days filled with networking, presentations, and opportunities to exchange ideas and experiences.

After the onboarding session, I headed out to explore London. That afternoon, I visited some of the city's most iconic landmarks, including Big Ben, Buckingham Palace, and the London Eye. It was the perfect way to end my first day. And London itself? It was my very first visit, and I completely fell in love with the city at first sight. I have a feeling it certainly won't be my last trip to the capital of the United Kingdom.

THE DAY EVERYONE HAD BEEN WAITING FOR

In the afternoon, the moment everyone had been waiting for finally arrived. At around 1:30 p.m., we arrived at the venue, where the international atmosphere of Galaxy Unpacked was immediately apparent. The audience included journalists, content creators, and media representatives from all over the world. Knowing that I was about to take my seat at one of the biggest technology events of the year was genuinely exciting.

This year's presentation focused primarily on the latest additions to the Galaxy family. Samsung unveiled the new Galaxy Z Fold8, and Galaxy Z Flip8, along with the latest Galaxy Watch lineup and further expansions to its growing ecosystem. The presentation also highlighted Samsung's collaborations with partners and the direction in which its technologies are evolving. From start to finish, the keynote was dynamic, professionally executed, and succeeded in keeping the audience fully engaged.

TIME TO SEE EVERYTHING UP CLOSE

Once the presentation had concluded, attendees were invited to the Experience Zone—a specially designed area where all of the newly announced products could be explored firsthand. It was the first opportunity to hold the new devices, examine their build quality, test selected features, and speak directly with Samsung experts, who were happy to answer questions and explain how the latest innovations work.

The Experience Zone, however, was about much more than smartphones. In addition to the latest Galaxy devices, visitors could also explore the newest smartwatches, earbuds, AI-powered glasses, and a wide range of accessories that together form Samsung's connected ecosystem. Everything was arranged so participants could freely test the products and experience how seamlessly the devices work together in everyday use.

For me, the event ended with one more unexpected surprise. I was given the opportunity to test the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 over the next three months. That offers a completely different perspective than spending just a few minutes with a demo unit. It will allow me to see how the phone performs not only in mobile photography, but also in my everyday work as a long-haul truck driver and while traveling across Europe.

MORE THAN JUST TECHNOLOGY

After the official part of Galaxy Unpacked came to an end, participants were invited to Galaxy Night—an evening gathering with a much more relaxed atmosphere. It was a chance to unwind, chat with other attendees, exchange first impressions, and simply relax after an exciting day. The organizers provided refreshments, a DJ set the mood with music, and the evening also featured a short live performance. It was a wonderful way to end the day and another opportunity to connect with people who—just like me—had traveled to London from different parts of the world. Moments like these show that Galaxy Unpacked is about much more than unveiling new devices. It is also about bringing together people who share the same passion for technology, creativity, and innovation, while creating opportunities to build new connections and exchange experiences.

A PHOTOGRAPHIC CRUISE ALONG THE THAMES

We began the day by meeting the experts responsible for the development of Samsung's smartphone cameras. It was an opportunity to discover the latest imaging features, including AI-powered photography tools. The session focused not only on the new camera capabilities, but also on how to make the most of them in everyday photography and while traveling.

After the theoretical introduction, it was time to put everything into practice. We spent nearly two hours cruising along the River Thames, photographing London from a completely different perspective. Passing many of the city's most iconic landmarks, we tested the new camera features in a variety of lighting conditions and constantly changing scenes. The cruise was the perfect continuation of the workshop, allowing us to immediately apply in real-world situations everything the experts had just demonstrated.

GALLERY