[London (UK) = E-Daily Reporter Shin Yeong-bin ] Samsung Electronics’ next-generation foldable phone will take center stage on the floor of a former fish market, where fish crates and ice once were shuffled back and forth. SamsungElectronics(005930)In this space where the old market’s purpose has changed, the Galaxy Foldable also heralds a new era of transformation.

SamsungElectronics will hold “Galaxy Unpacked 2026” at Old Billingsgate in London, UK, at 2:00 p.m. on the 22nd (10:00 p.m. Korean time). The venue is located on the north bank of the River Thames in the City of London, the financial hub of the city. From the riverside terrace, visitors can see landmarks symbolizing London’s past and present, including Tower Bridge, The Shard, and London Bridge.

When I visited Old Billingsgate on the 21st (local time), final preparations were underway just one day before the INFAC event. Galaxy INFAC billboards were displayed on the exterior walls of the Victorian-era building, and a queue had been set up in front of the entrance for attendees. Security personnel were stationed around the entrances. Foreign tourists walking along the banks of the River Thames stopped to look at the building and the billboards, and some even took photos.

The sight of modern high-rises surrounding the Victorian-era building perfectly captured the nature of the venue, which had transformed a former industrial facility into a stage for cutting-edge technology announcements.

Billingsgate’s history predates the current building by a considerable margin. Originally a general market for buying and selling grain, coal, iron, wine, and salt, it established itself as a hub for the seafood trade beginning in the 16th century.

As trading volumes increased, a dedicated market building was constructed on the banks of the River Thames in 1850; it was later demolished due to a lack of space, and the current building—designed by City of London architect Horace Jones—opened in 1876. Constructed in the Neoclassical style using brick and Portland stone, it was designated a Grade II listed building in the UK in 1980.

The fish market relocated to the East London Docklands in 1982. The current Billingsgate Market, where seafood is traded, and Old Billingsgate—where SamsungElectronics holds its Unpacked events—are two separate locations. Even after the market moved out, the old building was preserved rather than demolished; architect Richard Rogers renovated the interior into office and event spaces while retaining the original exterior.

Since then, it has been used as a venue for exhibitions, fashion shows, movie premieres, and corporate events. The market floor, where fish was once traded, has been transformed into the “Grand Hall,” a large event space, while the underground refrigerated area has been converted into “The Vault,” a space that highlights its brick and arched structures.

SamsungElectronics has traditionally chosen venues for its summer Unpacked events that showcase the culture and regional characteristics of the host city. This time, it appears the company selected Old Billingsgate while searching for a venue in central London capable of accommodating a large audience and stage facilities. The venue combines a spacious interior capable of holding up to 2,500 people with the symbolic location along the banks of the River Thames.

Following Seoul in 2023, Paris in 2024, and Brooklyn, New York, last year, this year’s Unpacked event brought to the stage the image of London, which has preserved historic buildings while repurposing them as new cultural spaces.

The transformation of the old market into a new event space aligns with this Unpacked event’s message of “new forms.” This is because, rather than demolishing the historic building and constructing an entirely new facility, the space was redesigned to retain its exterior and key structural elements while reimagining its internal functions and usage. SamsungElectronics focused on redesigning the aspect ratio of its foldable devices and their usability when unfolded.

In its invitation, SamsungElectronics hinted that the new Galaxy products would combine intelligent features with an innovative form factor to deliver a more personalized experience. Three foldable models are expected to be unveiled: the Galaxy Z Fold 8, which features a wider design; the top-of-the-line Fold 8 Ultra; and the Galaxy Z Flip 8.

The market that once transported seafood 150 years ago has transformed into a stage for cutting-edge technology watched by the world. At Old Billingsgate—which has preserved its historic appearance while finding new uses—SamsungElectronics is also reimagining the form and role of foldables. The “new form” set to bring fresh change to the now-familiar foldable market will be unveiled on the 22nd.